Ebola News. 80 people had contact.

It was just announced that officials say 80 people came in contact with the Ebola patient.

That's more than quadruple the number first stated.

It always goes this way.  First the lie to calm fears, then a slow dribble of truth to prepare the public for the worst.  If your spider sense isn't tingling then you need to work on your survival skills.

Weird Question. Why is the President of the United States protected by Law Enforcement instead of the Military?

You've all heard about the Army Veteran that jumped the fence at the White House and made it inside.

The question is this.

Why is the President of the United States protected by Law Enforcement instead of the military?

Consider.  We're living in an age of terrorism.  We have seen a complex terrorist attack in Mumbai and we can expect one in a major Western city.  Perhaps even Washington and perhaps against the White House. 

So the Marine Security Force Regiment could and should be responsible for protecting the grounds of the White House.  But what about the President's personal security detail?

Again, think about reacting to a sophisticated terrorist attack when the President is away from the White House...maybe even traveling abroad.  The Secret Service might be good but there is no way that they could equal the skill set of SOCOM.  And if the President is hit with a complex terrorist attack then you would want skilled, experienced combat troops defending him.  That means maybe detailing a Special Forces A-Team or two to the task.  Have the mission last for a 4 year term, make it hardship duty with extra pay and staff as needed.

This incident has shown me one thing.

The Secret Service isn't ready to deal with some of the real savages that walk this earth...political correctness doesn't matter one bit when it comes to combat and the US can't afford the shock of losing a President...even one that isn't very good.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: THRONE OF ATLANTIS Debut Trailer

Seems backwards after the Justice League:War movie but its a good retcon of the Aquaman character.

Interstellar Movie - Official Trailer

Boeing Delivers First New-Build MH-47G Special Operations Chinook (hi-res photo)

RIDLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa., Oct. 1, 2014 – Boeing completed initial flight and delivery of the first, new-build MH-47G configured Chinook helicopter to the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command Sept. 29, 2014 – a full month ahead of schedule.

“It is an honor to be trusted to design, produce and deliver this advanced capability for the Army Special Operations customer,” said Steve Parker, vice president, cargo helicopters & H-47 program manager. “The advanced technology inherent in the new-build MH-47G ensures that the users and operators will have the superior mission capability that they require. This delivery also begins a new chapter that will carry the Chinook forward for many more decades and is the latest demonstration of Boeing and the wider Team Chinook’s commitment to delivering upon promises made.”

The new build MH-47G configuration incorporates a number of production improvements to include the digital advanced flight control system, more robust, improved monolithic machined-frames, and improved air transportability. The entire program, valued at approximately $300 million, calls for eight aircraft deliveries through 2015.

Ebola patient had contact with kids who go to 4 different schools.

via Heavy.com

According to a statement from the Dallas Independent School district, Duncan came into contact with five children from four different schools. The schools affected are Emmett J. Conrad High School, Sam Tasby Middle School, L.L. Hotchkiss Elementary School and Dan D. Rogers Elementary. Those students are not exhibiting any symptoms but have been told to stay home from school as a precaution.
Dr. Christopher Perkins, from the Dallas Department of Health and Human Services, told the media that there were five people staying at the same home as Duncan. In total, Duncan is believed to have been in contact with 12-18 other people during his stay in the U.S.

This thing has potentially exploded.

IF any of those kids were carrying the virus.

IF those kids engaged in common kid behavior.

IF those kids then took this shit home......Then we have outbreak in Dallas.  The only thing I know is that we're definitely not being told the whole truth on this issue. 

Phantom Badger testing by 22nd Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron

Marines with the 22nd Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron look over the Phantom Badger, a new high-performance tactical vehicle made by Boeing to replace the M1161 Internally Transportable Vehicle, before performing a fit check on the vehicle, Sept. 26, 2014. The vehicle has four-wheel drive and comes with four-wheel steering. This gives the vehicle the power to make extremely tight maneuvers, proven by its 24-foot turn radius. It is six inches narrower than a Mini Cooper, gets 21 miles to the gallon and can travel at speeds up to 80 miles per hour. This vehicle was designed to be loaded and unloaded quickly from an MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Michelle M. Reif / Released)

Is HQMC actually looking to buy a new ITV?  Now?  With the elderly AAV soldiering on...with the JLTV buy looking less and less likely?

Russia to buy 5000 armored vehicles including the T-72B3...defense spending increasing by 44%

via Itar-TASS

MOSCOW, October 1. /TASS/. Russia’s Ground Forces are due to receive 5,000 pieces of new armored vehicles and 6,000 pieces of modernized weaponry by 2020, Colonel General Oleg Salyukov said on Wednesday.
“In total, up to 2020 it is planned to buy over 5,000 new and around 6,000 modernized samples of armored vehicles and military hardware, and around 14,000 pieces of modern samples of vehicles,” said Salyukov, the commander-in-chief of the Russian Ground Forces.
The government is planning to buy modernized T-72B3 tanks, which were seen at Russia's tank biathlon world championship outside Moscow in early August and during the last month’s Vostok-2014 military drills in Russia's Far East.
Other weapons purchases for the army include BMP-3 amphibious infantry fighting vehicles, modernized BMP-2 and BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, Salyukov said.

Read the entire article, but the Russians will have more armor available than the entire EU, and the US is still attempting to "pivot" to the Pacific while at the same time put out brush fires in the Middle East...oh and might I add that the longer we're involved in stumping on ISIS the less money we will have to refit and modernize our own forces.

This part of the story should chill every heart in Europe...

Analysts of the international HIS company said in February that Russia’s defense spending is expected to increase by over 44% in real terms over the next three years, to $98 billion in 2016.

Yeah.

Defense spending is going down in the West while its increasing everywhere else.

Sidenote.  What exactly is a T-72B3?  An unknown upgrade of the T-72, a renamed T-90 or what?

The other partner company on the Terrex II team...

Check out the above photo.  I don't know if you can make it out (expand the pic by clicking on it) but while going over my photo library I noticed that there was a third company listed on the Terrex 2.  Everyone knows about SAIC and STK but what is Armatec and why would they be on this project?

A simple Google search revealed all.  They're an armor and vehicle protection firm.  That alone got me interested.  I thought that Plasan had the market darn near cornered with Jankel getting the rest.  Now it appears that there is a new player and they're teaming with SAIC.

If (and its a huge if) this program goes forward I'm beginning to wonder if SAIC might not be preparing to win it all on price point alone...well that along with a bunch of government support.  Consider.  They talked about one corporation having already tested their vehicle in a ship to shore exercise.  I immediately thought BAE/Iveco SuperAV...after all that vehicle is suppose to be in limited service with the Italian Army and San Marco Brigade...but Singapore would also dedicate the resources to do the same....and the program office is keeping quiet and AVTB has gone silent too.

Long story short, this thing might actually be a three company race afterall.

  Full Product Seats Brochure Final Version

Chris Matthews on Ebola coming to America...

No, and in the second part of his sentence he said in the unlikely case someone brings it here. In the unlikely case someone brings it here. Well, they've done it. We're living in the world of the unlikely already. That's all I'm saying. I'm not fear mongering. I'm stating the facts and I wonder if everybody else is.
Chris Matthews on Hardball News Show (Left wing political analysis)

When did SPMAGTF-CR's expand to Battalion sized units?

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force conduct fast rope tactics out of a CH-53E Super Stallion at Auxiliary Airfield 2, Yuma, Ariz., Sept. 26, 2014. The exercise is part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) 1-15, a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) cadre. MAWTS-1 provides standardized tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine Aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Xzavior T. McNeal, COMCAM/ Released)

via Marine Corps Times.

The Marines’ new crisis response unit in U.S. Central Command will reach initial operating capability tomorrow with Camp Pendleton’s 5th Marine Regiment as its headquarters element, military officials said today.
Most of the 2,300 Marines who will make up Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command have already arrived in the Middle East, said Lt. Col. Joseph Kloppel, a spokesman for Marine Corps Forces Central Command.
Kloppel said the first deployment rotation for the task force included the following units:
■ Command element, 5th Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
■ 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
■ Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363, Miramar, Calif.
■ Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas
Aircraft attached to the unit will include, among others, MV-22B Ospreys from VMM-363 and KC-130 planed from VMGR-234, a Reserve unit. The task force will also include a tactical aviation squadron, Kloppel said, but he declined to identify the squadron as it was in the process of arriving in the Middle East.
Fifth Marine Regiment commanding officer Col. Jason Bohm will command the task force, Kloppel said. Most units will be deployed for six or seven months, he said, although the regimental headquarters may see a longer rotation.

Reconsidered this whole thing.  Its not a WTF! moment but simply a case of legacy building.  What does the outgoing Commandant have to hang his hat on as far as his lasting impact on the Marine Corps?  The only thing he can do is gesture at the SPMAGTF-CR and "revitalizing" the MEB.  That's the only reason why he would rush to establish these new units in the Middle East and S. America.  Amos knows that once Combatant Commanders get new units available they're hard to disband.

Breaking News! Ebola confirmed in Dallas. Updated....

Thanks for the info Tony!

via CBS Dallas.

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – Officials with the Centers for Disease Control have confirmed that a person in Dallas definitely has the Ebola virus.
Officials with the Centers for Disease Control are holding a press conference at 4:30 p.m.
It was late on the evening of September 29 that CBS 11 News learned a patient at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas was feared to have been exposed to the Ebola virus.
Health officials said given the information that the unnamed patient had been in the West Africa area where the Ebola virus exists and the type of symptoms they were exhibiting, testing was being performed.

Just fuckin fantastic.


NOTE: Riddle me this.  The new info that I have says that the guy landed in the US on the 20th.  He showed symptoms on the 22nd, and then went to the hospital on the 24th.  They sent him away and he returned on the 28th where he was admitted.

So from the 22nd to the 28th he was walking the streets of Dallas.  He was in grocery stores, malls, restaurants etc...And yet I have some clown coming to this blog saying that all is well!  Seriously?  Really?

New Bradley Turret Video via Military Technology Blog

Does the Marine Corps need another amphibious vehicle? Paper by Lt Col Sullivan.

Check this paper written at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces by Lt Col Michael Sullivan...

  Does the USMC need a new amphibious assault vehicle?

The same issues that were being discussed in the middle to late eighties are the same issues we're faced with today.

Terrex Marine Personnel Carrier Pics.

Republic of Korea, 20th Mechanized Infantry Division firepower demonstration.

Patient hospitalized in Dallas with Ebola symptoms.

via SHTF Plan.

In a statement released Monday evening, a spokesperson for Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas said the patient is undergoing evaluation for Ebola based on the patient’s symptoms and recent travel history.
Further details on the patient were not released due to medical confidentiality and personal privacy reasons.
“The hospital is following all Centers for Disease Control and Texas Department of Heath recommendations to ensure the safety of patients, hospital staff, volunteers, physicians and visitors,” according to the hospital’s statement. (Source: NBC DFW & MyFox)

This is madness.

Why we haven't instituted a quarantine of that area is beyond me.

Additionally not releasing details of the patient when its a matter of NATIONAL SECURITY is beyond me.  He could have started a biological wildfire in the DFW area and many of those people will be on the move.

We're headed toward several Oct surprises.

SAIC's AAV upgrade and Terrex II vid.

Fighting flares up in Ukraine.

via PanArmenia.net

Seven Ukrainian soldiers were killed when a shell hit their armored personnel carrier near Donetsk airport in eastern Ukraine, a military spokesman said on Monday, Sept 29, putting further strain on a fragile ceasefire in the region, Reuters reported.
It was the largest loss of life among Ukrainian soldiers in a single incident since the ceasefire began on Sept 5.
"Seven (Ukrainians) were killed late last night not far from Donetsk airport," Reuters quoted spokesman Andriy Lysenko as saying.
Separately, Yuri Biryukov, an adviser to President Petro Poroshenko, said on his Facebook page that the pro-Russian militias had fired the shell from a tank. He said nine Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in the attack and that tanks had been destroyed in return fire.

So much for the cease fire.  Just when you thought that hostilities in Ukraine were over with, it flares up again.

Poll: 70% of troops say no more boots on the ground in Iraq ... via Navy Times.

Navy Times...

On the surface, troops appear to support President Obama’s repeated vows not to let the U.S. military get “dragged into another ground war” in Iraq. Yet at the same time, the views of many service members are shaped by a deep ambivalence about this commander in chief and questions about his ability to lead the nation through a major war, according to the survey and interviews.
The reader survey asked more than 2,200 active-duty troops this question: “In your opinion, do you think the U.S. military should send a substantial number of combat troops to Iraq to support the Iraqi security forces?” Slightly more than 70 percent responded: “No.”
“It’s their country, it’s their business. I don’t think major ‘boots on the ground’ is the right answer,” said one Army infantry officer and prior-enlisted soldier who deployed to Iraq three times. He responded to the survey and an interview request but, like several other service members in this story, asked not to be named because he is not authorized to discuss high-level military policy.

Read it all here. 

Quite honestly I'm not at all surprised.  The idea of "boots on the ground in Iraq" that's being pushed by many military leaders has confused the hell out of me.  Common sense says that its a fools errand to attempt to give people what they don't want.  In my opinion Western style democracy is not desired by the people in that region and we should stop trying to give it to them.

But this survey says something more.

The troops don't trust the President, Congress or military leadership.  That lack of trust is going to become apparent to all soon AND will have consequences.