Ukraine receives first batch of Humvees...

Thanks to Jonathan for the link...

More pics and the story here.

Of note?  The President of Ukraine's "BDU's" and sidearm in a thigh rig!  Just wow.  The dude is rocking a Serpa rig with what looks like a Glock 17!  Just plain wow.

Navy Matters: What's Wrong With This Picture?

Navy Matters: What's Wrong With This Picture?: Our uniformed military leadership is currently parading in front of Congress, pleading for more money and inferring (actually, flatly stati...

2nd Cav's "Smarden Tactical" has made it to Romania...

Note:  Are we looking at multiple 2nd Cav units on the move or just one?  Can't keep up with this.

Prelude to civil war in Ukraine...what's left of it that is???

Thanks to Fabsther for the info.

via Financial Times...

As governor of Dnipropetrovsk region, Mr Kolomoisky held the line against the Moscow-backed insurgents who now rule large swaths of the east. His financial support for volunteer battalions was critical in blocking the rebels’ advance.
But in Kiev, critics of the oligarch were ringing the alarm. They said he was exploiting his position as governor to expand his business interests, and turning the volunteer units he helped create into his own private army. The fears grew this week after uniformed men apparently loyal to Mr Kolomoisky turned up at the Kiev headquarters of two of Ukraine’s largest energy companies, sparking rumours of a power struggle between the oligarch and Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s president.
Suddenly, a week of drama drew to its stunning climax. In the early hours of yesterday morning, it was announced that the president had fired Mr Kolomoisky from his post of governor.
The break between Ukraine’s two most powerful men — once the staunchest of allies — was a political earthquake, and marked the worst internal crisis to engulf the country’s new government since last year’s revolution. It threatens to plunge Ukraine into a fresh round of instability, as it struggles to cope with a debilitating economic crisis and the smouldering insurgency in the east.
The breach also risks playing straight into the hands of the Kremlin, which opposes the pro-western government in Kiev and would rejoice in its collapse.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE! 

Everyone has turned their attention away from Ukraine (including me) because of the troubles in Yemen.

It seems like an all seeing eye is needed in the world we live in now (and that's why I love my readers...no way one guy could keep up with all the drama), but its becoming obvious that "peace" has NOT broken out in Ukraine.

Opportunist of all stripes are fighting over the bones of that broken country.  The EU doesn't appear to have a plan to deal with the aftermath (the US doesn't have a stake in this situation in my opinion) which means that in the long run the Ukrainians will go running into the waiting arms of Putin.

That son of a bitch is outwitting our guys with half his brain tied behind his back.

eARMOR Magazine Flickr Page...

Hat tip to Tank & AFV News for the link!

Tank and AFV News turned me on to this oldie but goodie.  Armor Magazine is still being printed (or rather circulated online) and between it AND their Flickr Page its well worth a look see.

Fab Fours Legend

K-21 105mm Cannon...

Why is Army Aviation trying to cram themselves aboard ship?

US Army Blackhawks Land on USS John C. Stennis off the Coast of Washington
Theater Aviation Command as they land aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) during a joint training exercise. Army rotary-wing aviation units stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord are training with John C. Stennis in the Pacific Northwest region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ignacio D. Perez) 150323-N-TC437-094

Question.  Why is Army Aviation trying to cram themselves aboard ship?

Is it doctrine based?  I don't think so.  I can't find any OPEN SOURCE documents that detail a need identified by the Navy or Marine Corps that is fulfilled by putting Army Aviation aboard ship.  Additionally I'm not even sure that Army Aviation meets basic NAVAIR safety guidelines for operation on ships.  Remember the modifications that were deemed necessary, just on the safety and maintenance side to make the Apache, NAVAIR worthy of becoming the Sea Apache?

So if its not doctrine based.  If its not safe or doesn't meet NAVAIR guidelines then what behind this move?

I'm not sure.  I can make a guess though.

The Army is desparate.  They're trying to find a way to make themselves relevant in the Pacific and see themselves getting left on the beach looking slack eyed and silly.

Its really a shame though.  The Army does have a role to play, a supporting role...and if the conflict is big enough, a combat role but it isn't by flying off individual ships and doing photo ops.

If the Army wants to be relevant in the Pacific then they need to push HARD to make the Sea Base a reality, doing the dull and boring work with Military Sealift Command integrating their landing craft and CH-47's with the MLP and Maritime Prepositioned Squadrons, and work out how they're going to operate to make that system fit the needs of forces ashore.  Working to develop the means to ferry soldiers to the Sea Base so that they can marry up with their equipment.  Training their soldiers on LCAC operations.

But no.  They instead push Army Aviation onto already crowded ships.  Amazing.

F-35 News. Is the USMC walking back the IOC date?

via National Defense.

Marine officials recently have somewhat softened their stance on a July IOC, suggesting that it is not a hard deadline.

“We won't declare IOC unless we meet all of our targets,” Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, deputy commandant of the Marine Corps for aviation told the Senate Armed Services Committee March 25.

The F-35B with the current software provides “tremendous capability that we don't have today,” Davis insisted. “I have no fusion in the airplanes I operate today.” The pilots who fly it today “love the F-35B and they wouldn't go back to their original platforms.”
On the software, Davis said he would withhold judgment for now. If the squadron is not ready to declare IOC, he said, the Marine Corps will respect that. “The decision to declare IOC will be event-based and conditions-based, based on us achieving what we have to do to deliver a combat capability to our Marines,” he said. “If conditions are met, I will make a recommendation to [Commandant] General Dunford that we declare our IOC.”

You're getting tired of me saying this, but I seriously wonder why these reporters (and Sandra Erwin is good) keep missing the highlights of the news that's been given to them.

The USMC is giving itself room to back off the IOC date that was once seemingly written in blood.  

While I still believe that the Marine Corps' rush to get this plane into service has to do with the procurement trainwreck and attempting to clear the tracks so that they can get on to the rest of the portfolio, I can't help but feel that those plans are doomed.

BMD-4M vs. Kurganets-25 size comparison pic...

Thanks to Dragon for the link!

Wow.  The Kurganets-25 is substantially larger than the BMD.  I can't wait to get a better look at this vehicle!

Heavy BMP T-15 "Armata" Vid...The Russians are totally redesigning their armored force!

Thanks to Dragon for the link!



These new tanks are a TOTAL departure from what we've seen in the past from the Russians.  We're seeing a total redesign of their armored force/concepts.

2nd Cav Dragoon Ride takes a nasty turn. Civilian vehicle struck.

I would love to read the report on this incident.

Up and at them!....Photos by Sgt. Devin Nichols

Paintball instead of sim rounds?

US and 16 Medical Regiment Medics have been developing and honing 3 PARA soldiers’ casualty drills while under fire from simulated attacks with paint balls. Photographer: Corporal Andy Reddy; Crown copyright

Paintball instead of sim rounds?

I thought the military had moved away from paintball for realistic training.  Is this a Brit thing or is it part of how the "All Americans" do things?

2nd CAV Dragoon Ride. "New" Europe loves us...which is why we love them back....

Note:  From what I've seen the response to the US Army's 2nd Cav has been nothing short of fantastic.  The Dragon Ride is a stunning success.  New Europe loves us,and that matters.  Its so much easier to help those...work with those that want us there instead of dealing with protests, idiotic governors etc...

Politically incorrect question about the German Air pilots. Updated!

Question.

Why haven't we heard the names or seen pics of the German Air pilots?  We've seen pics and names of the victims but nothing about the pilots.

Why?

I'm seriously curious about this.

UPDATE:  More info has come out and I won't go over it.  Lets be actual and factual.  If this guy is a Muslim convert and IF this is a terrorist attack from a person that self radicalized then the world will be forever changed.  You will see govt spying on its citizens in Europe go to new heights.  We'll know soon enough but it bears watching.

The terrorists are winning. The regional war in the Middle East has begun.

via CNN

(CNN)With the support of nine mostly Arab countries, Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes in neighboring Yemen on Thursday, where for months Houthi rebels have intensified their violent campaign against the government.
The Saudis have pledged to use 100 war planes and contribute 150,000 soldiers to the newly formed coalition, the Saudi TV network Al Arabiya said.
The Houthis, ever defiant, responded by saying they will meet force with force.

Now check out this map below....

Lets do a rundown of all the nations where we've seen trouble...are currently engaged in fighting...or being menaced by terrorist groups.

  *  Iraq.  Obvious.  We don't need to dig down.  *  Syria.  You know the story.  *  Yemen.  You know the story.  *  Somalia.  You know the story.  *  Afghanistan.  You know the story.  *  Pakistan.  You know the story.  *  Libya.  You know the story.
*  Egypt.  If you've forgotten the story then google it.  The Muslim Brotherhood pulled off a coup which we supported, the long time leader was toppled and its been shaky as hell ever since.  *  Lebanon.  They've been on the brink for years.  The current crisis is just making the situation worse.
*  Jordan.  They're in danger of toppling.  Too many refugees, too many terrorists, too weak a central govt that is based on tribes.

Now look at the map again.

That's almost every country except Israel and by rights they should be included because of the ongoing situation with the Palestinians.  I didn't include them because they have a stable government.

The terrorists have accomplished their goal.  The region is ablaze and I see no way to put out the flames.  I have to admit that I have grudging respect for them.  They're living in fucking caves and running rings around our Ivy League educated intelligentsia in Washington.

Additionally SOCOM has been totally unable to put these beasts back in their cages.

We're looking at a failure of our military, intelligence, diplomatic and political class on a scale not seen since the beginning of WW2.

USAF Quote of the year...

Major Hat Tip to ELP Blog...

“I can’t wait to be relieved of the burdens of close air support,” Major General James Post, the Vice Commander of Air Combat Command (ACC)

"Nuff said.  We've been telling you that the F-35 isn't about close air support...even for the Marine Corps...its all about deep strike.

Sidenote:  If you have any connection with ground forces then you should be alarmed.  The F-35 global complex...the idea that says the training, maintenance, operating philosophy etc...will all be the same is starting to bear some bitter fruit.  If the Vice Commander of Air Combat Command is saying this then you can bet serious money that this thinking is being shared through all US services and allied air forces.  

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl will be charged with desertion.

Thanks to William for the news.

President Obama Speaks on the Recovery of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl

The men in this guys unit deserve an apology from the news media and from the US Army.

Of course this brings up the question.

Did we pay too high a price to recover a US soldier that deserted of his own free will?

F-35 News. Add bulkhead problems to the list of issues...

The lead in this story was that the USMC is sticking to its IOC date with the F-35 despite software issues.

But as usual, defense writers and the mainstream media don't realize when they have a juicy bit of news that will set the industry on fire.  via Flight Global...

Meanwhile, Bogdan also says he is worried about the integrity of the F-35B’s aluminium 496 bulkhead, which bears critical structural loads where the trailing edge of the wing attaches to the aft fuselage. In 2004, programme officials reduced the weight of the F-35B by about 1,360kg (3,000lb). Those changes included switching the bulkhead material from titanium to lighter-weight aluminium.
The lighter bulkhead has since proved susceptible to structural cracking, requiring a series of “patches” all over the 496 bulkhead. There are now so many patches that programme officials are concerned it may be necessary to redesign the bulkhead for production aircraft, Bogdan says.
Finally, Lockheed’s autonomic logistics information system (ALIS) is not ready to support a growing fleet of operational and test aircraft, Bogdan says. It will take a few years to resolve the ALIS deficiencies, and until then F-35B maintainers must use workarounds to inspect and repair the aircraft.

Yeah.

The plane is a flying patch that will require ANOTHER redesign.  Gone unnoticed is the fact that its already bumping up against weight limits as it is.

I wonder how long the carrier version will last after repeated landings...controlled crashes like the Naval aviators like to call them?

I've been told that this problem only affects the "B" model.  That's even worse news.

The assumption I've been operating under is that the USMC is pushing forward so hard with the F-35, even though its obviously not ready for prime time, because its seeking to clear the procurement train wreck that its in.  Items have to get cleared from the table and despite the pain the quicker the F-35 can be bought, the sooner they can move on to the other things that are needed.

IF a redesign is necessary then the agony doesn't stop and the trainwreck stretches into another decade...and two more Commandant's will face the prospect of sending forces into battle with substandard airplanes AND armor.

Someone remind me to send the Commandant a bottle of Jack Daniel's Honey.  The guy probably doesn't drink but I bet he's gonna need a few stiff ones if the news keeps coming in like this!