Blast from the past. Rules of engagement for the 22nd Marine Amphibious Unit in Lebanon.

via Ibiblio.

The Marines were drilled and redrilled on the rules of engagement, including "what-if" sessions in which all possible contingencies were hopefully covered. In addition, each Marine was issued wallet-size card with the following rules printed in all capital letters:

Guidelines of Rules of Engagement

1. When on the post, mobile or foot patrol, keep loaded magazine in weapon, bolt closed, weapon on safe, no round in the chamber.
2. Do not chamber a round unless told to do so by a commissioned officer unless you must act in immediate self-defense where deadly force is authorized.
3. Keep ammo for crew served weapons readily available but not loaded. Weapon is on safe.
4. Call local forces to assist in self-defense effort. Notify headquarters.
5. Use only minimum degree of force to accomplish any mission.
6. Stop the use of force when it is no longer needed to accomplish the mission.
7. If you receive effective hostile fire, direct your fire at the source. If possible, use friendly snipers.
8. Respect civilian property; do not attack it unless absolutely necessary to protect friendly forces.
9. Protect innocent civilians from harm.
10. Respect and protect recognized medical agencies such as Red Cross, Red Crescent, etc.

I'm going to have to find it but I once read that overly restrictive rules of engagement caused the tragedy in Lebanon.  Years later some of the same mistakes were repeated in Khobar Towers...the Cole incident and could even be blamed for the attacks in Kabul.

Leadership being more concerned about local sensitivities rather than ensuring mission accomplishment and force protection.

On a different note.

The Marine Corps should perhaps consider (since name changes are all the rage...and since everyone is using the term "expeditionary") going back to Marine Amphibious Units.  It will make Marine formations unique again.  As I said.  Expeditionary is all the rage and has lost any luster it might have once had.

ARISGator.

The ARISGator.  An interesting vehicle based on the M-113.  The thing that has my attention though isn't the base vehicle, isn't the hydro-dynamic nose attached but rather its propulsion system.  That water jet system is huge and I'd love to see a comparison between it and the USMC's AAV and those that are to be applied to the upcoming Marine Personnel Carrier.  Oh and for the reformers in the crowd forget any thoughts about the USMC adopting even a few of these.

Read about the ARIS here.



Sidenote:  Stats according to Army Guide give it a water speed of 6 kmph and the ability to carry 8 troops.  Supposedly its been tested with a RWS 50 cal machinegun.  And according to some Italian websites its in limited use by the San Marco Battalion (Italian Marines...I think).  We can look forward to these vehicles being retired as soon as the Super AV 8x8 comes online.

Best of Devinsupertramp!

Great movie making and some hellacious athletes.  Pretty awesome.

Porcupine C-RAM.

via DefesaGlobal.

Finmeccanica´s Oto Melara SpA has developed the Porcupine (or Porcospino) counter rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) protected weapon system.

The ground based weapon system is intended to serve as a defensive system for land based military facilities or critical infrastructures against destroy incoming artillery, rockets and mortar rounds in the air before they hit their ground targets, or simply provide early warning capability.

Each remotely controlled firing unit comprises the supporting mount along its protected covers, a General Dynamics Armament & Technical Products (GD ATP) M61A1 Gatling 20mm six-barrel externally powered lightweight cannon, the ammunition handling and feeding system, the drive system, the power management unit, stabilized optronic day/night infra-red tracking system for target engagement and as well as associated mechanical components.

I don't know how effective this system would be if it were mounted on the Marine Personnel Carrier, but if it could be made to work then it should be a winner.

We can expect even insurgents to start getting their hands on rockets...and some groups will get advanced weapons.  I wouldn't be surprised to see them get advanced rockets.  This system or others like it might save a Command Post or two in those vaunted humanitarian missions HQMC is so jazzed about doing.

Zapper Boss.

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 18, 2012) An EA-18G Growler assigned to the Zappers of Airborne Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Harry S. Truman is underway conducting flight deck certification. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tyler Caswell/Released)

SEALs in the mist.

Damn.  All these guys (except for the dog handler) looked yoked up.  Strength training must be a new priority for this group.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (July. 21, 2012) Navy SEALs conduct a capabilities exercise at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story during the 43rd annual Underwater Demolition Team (UDT)-Sea, Air and Land (SEAL) East Coast Reunion. The annual reunion started in 1969 and has expanded into a weekend of events, contests, and a SEAL capabilities exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William S. Parker/Released) 120721-N-AT856-131

CHC...a para-military, quasi governmental helicopter force.

 

CHC is a company that we all need to keep an eye on.  Right now the main focus of their work is in the oil/gas transport and SAR/Medivac role but to this guy looking into a murky future, I can see that role expanding to monitoring missions around the North Pole as well as conducting soveriengty missions.  Click here for more info.

International F-35 Fleet Begins Build Up at Eglin Air Force Base

ZM135, a British F-35B and the first international Lockheed Martin Lightning II, takes off from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base on July 23, 2012, en route for Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The U.K. officially took ownership of ZM135 (formerly known as 'BK-1') at a ceremony in Fort Worth on July 19, 2012. The jet will be used for operational testing and evaluation

Law Enforcement Battalions.

Marine Law Enforcement Battalions.

I've been watching this issue in the Marine Corps since early May.  I watched the renaming ceremony.  I peeped at them running ranges at 29 Palms.

And even though everyone (and I do mean everyone) is filling my inbox with news of this, I'm unimpressed.

A Marine hates to give the Army credit for anything but they do Battlefield Military Police work a million times better than the Corps ever could.  What the Marine Corps is trying to invent, the Army already has in spades.

Quite honestly the Marine Corps would be better served by disbanding Military Police (they use civilian police on base now) and using the boatspaces for an additional Infantry Battalion or two.  The story on this is here..but a tidbit.

The Corps activated three such battalions last month. Each is made up of roughly 500 military police officers and dozens of dogs. The Marine Corps has had police battalions off and on since World War II but they were primarily focused on providing security, such as accompanying fuel convoys or guarding generals on visits to dangerous areas, said Maj. Jan Durham, commander of the 1st Law Enforcement Battalion at Camp Pendleton.

The idea behind the law enforcement battalions is to consolidate the military police and capitalize on their investigative skills and police training, he said. The new additions come as every branch in the military is trying to show its flexibility and resourcefulness amid defense cuts.

Marine Corps Style MMA

Staff Sgt. Christopher B. Milam, Martial Arts Instructor Course instructor, Bravo Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 4, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) grapples with a student here, July 14, during the final conditioning session. The grappling station was one of the many workout stations the students had to rotate through during the session.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mark Stroud)

Haley goes hardcore.

via Kitup.  Make sure you read it all...just a tidbit.

Fact:
The Second Amendment does not grant us this right. This right already existed. The Second Amendment merely prevents the government from infringing on it.

Fact:

There is a Scumbag criminal out there right now about to break into someones home in the middle of the night and hurt or kill someone. If you take away the Second Amendment then… the scumbag is still going to break into someones home in the middle of the night and hurt or kill someone.

Fact:
I can have my neighbors call 911 and tell dispatch: “A man just shot and killed everyone in my neighbors house and ran out the front door” or I can call 911 and tell dispatch: “A man just broke into my house and presented a lethal threat to my family and I killed him as he came through my front door.”

Fact:
When a gun is sitting on a table it is only a gun sitting on a table… When a killer picks it up, it’s only a tool that the killer picks up. When the killer shoots an innocent with the tool everyone forgets about the killer and blames the tool.

Great stuff.

15th MEU. Amphibious Assault Vehicle water gunnery

Photos by Cpl. John Robbart III

Assault Amphibious Vehicle Platoon prepares for their training off San Clemente Island, July 20. The AAV platoon practiced water gunnery, an advanced level of AAV gunnery, in preparation for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's upcoming deployment. The training was part of Composite Training Unit Exercise, the second at-sea period the 15th MEU and Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group have conducted since the MEU formed a Marine Air Ground Task Force in February. The training will prepare the two units to function as a blue-green team, capable of conducting a wide-variety of worldwide missions ranging from humanitarian aid to combat.

An Assault Amphibious Vehicle with AAV platoon, India Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to suppress targets on San Clemente Island, July 20. The AAV platoon practiced water gunnery, an advanced level of AAV gunnery, in preparation for the 15th MEU's upcoming deployment. The training was part of Composite Training Unit Exercise, the second at-sea period the 15th MEU and Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group have conducted since the MEU formed a Marine Air Ground Task Force in February. The training will prepare the two units to function as a blue-green team, capable of conducting a wide-variety of worldwide missions ranging from humanitarian aid to combat.

An Assault Amphibious Vehicle with AAV platoon, India Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, suppresses targets on San Clemente Island, July 20. The AAV platoon practiced water gunnery, an advanced level of AAV gunnery, in preparation for the 15th MEU's upcoming deployment. The training was part of Composite Training Unit Exercise, the second at-sea period the 15th MEU and Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group have conducted since the MEU formed a Marine Air Ground Task Force in February. The training will prepare the two units to function as a blue-green team, capable of conducting a wide-variety of worldwide missions ranging from humanitarian aid to combat.

Tiger Balm 2012 Overview

Douglas X-3 Stiletto

Call me baby video is a problem.

Less than a month after putting out a video in which the Commandant calls on Marine leadership to find its "true North" and stop allowing the Marine Corps to be humiliated by acts of stupidity we see this video.

You can say hey its all in good fun but the question must be asked.

Is it in keeping with the image of the Marine Corps that the public expects?

I think not.

We are faced with leadership that's involved in situational ethics and its no wonder that Marines are confused as to what is and isn't allowed.  You can wear your uniform to a Gay Pride Parade (and Gays are active in politics) but you can't to a Tea Party event.  Marine Scout Snipers take a photo in front of a BLUE flag with SS on it and instead of being defended they are held up as supporting Neo-Nazi's even though everyone that has even been close to the military knows that SS in this instance stood for Scout Sniper and blue isn't a Neo Nazi color.

We are not well served by our leadership.  Time for them to go.  Before they damage the Corps permanently.

NOTE:

I don't care if this is joint service stupidity.  I'm not concerned about the Army's image...or any other service except the Marine Corps.  Other bloggers can chime in on whether or not it's appropriate to their service. 

NOTE 1:

I'm seeing rockers and flight wings in that video.  That means Marine SNCO's and Officer's were participating in this bullshit.  FIX OUR HOUSE AMOS!

I called it. Faber just wasn't hungry.

via Fox Sports.

Round Five
Faber tries to catch the leg of Barao but is unsuccessful. Barao lands a counter left on Faber. Faber is trying to mount offense but he just doesn't seem to be able to hit Barao in a way that hurts him. Faber throwing some jabs but its not the type of offense that's going to set up the knockout he needs. Barao is throwing his hand up and then throwing dynamite with the other - including a nasty left hook. Faber rushes in and mounts some offense but its soon back to Barao dismantling the former poster-boy of the lighter weight classes. Barao connects with a hard right cross and very nearly gets a spinning back kick. I have that 50-45 to Barao on my scorecard. All three judges have similar lopsided scores for an ecstatic Renan Barao who does an hilariously over the top celebration.
Renan Barao defeated Urjiah Faber to become Interim Bantamweight Champion via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 49-46)

This was easy to call.

Faber just wasn't hungry and this is a sport where you have to be hungry and want it.  Barao wanted it and it showed.  He had the will to win.  Outside of UFC fans he's unknown.  He isn't a pretty boy and unlike FABER he doesn't have anything else.  For Barao its either succeed here or lose it all...I just imagine for him that this was a do or die situation.  That makes you hungry.  That makes you work harder than the other guy.  That made Faber his victim tonight.

On the undercard the light and featherwieghts continued to impress, but one fight I had my eye on was the Jordan match.

Wow.  I just expected more (also) being an LSU fan.  He just seemed to be missing the fire in the belly.  Being the smaller guy gave his opponent an advantage but not an overwhelming one.

Again.  It comes back to the will to win.  A little homecoming went on up north but I don't expect anything less from the Canadians and I'm sure White will get that shit sorted out ricky tick quick.  Overall.  A good fight night.

Camo your weapon.

The above vid is from Soldier Systems.  Real Deal Guys.  Follow the link and subscribe to those guys.  They're almost becoming my one stop shop for news on gear.  As a matter of fact I've dropped some other channels because they're so good.

Next.  I would really love to see a Battalion Commander, Battalion Sgt Major or someone with their ear (like a Marine Gunner) to slam some rank insignia on the table and demand that we finally get this done.  We don't necessarily need to have patterns.  A coat of coyote brown or olive drab will do.  But enough of this black rifle stuff.  The only black rifles should be in civilian or police service.  Going to war decked out in full camo should include your weapon.  I mean seriously...black boots are gone...why not rifles?

4 guns is an arsenal?

via Yahoo.

The gunman who blasted his way through a packed movie house early on Friday, killing 12 people and injuring 58 others, had apparently been planning his attack for weeks.

"In the last 60 days he purchased four guns at local metro gun shops, and through the Internet he purchased over 6,000 rounds of ammunition," Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates said Friday night.

The suspect, 24-year-old former medical student James Holmes, had also been stockpiling magazines to carry the gun ammunition. One clip recovered at the scene could hold 100 rounds for his assault rifle.

"As far as we know, it was a pretty rapid pace of fire in that theater," Chief Oates said.

Police are trying to learn more about the man's motives but have thus far been unable to access his booby-trapped apartment near the Colorado medical school where he recently withdrew from classes.

Investigators have described the apartment as being filled with chemicals, trip wires, jars of ammunition and possible mortar rounds.

"It is a very vexing problem how we'll get into that apartment safely," Chief Oates said. "I've personally never seen anything like what the pictures show us."

Read the whole thing but I can assure you that four guns does not consitute an arsenal...at least not down south.  Wow.  We're going to hear more on this I'm sure but until something pulls me by the short hairs I'm done.

Not mine just a picture from the net showing some of the caches that others have...

UFC 149: Faber vs Barao

I like Faber but I have a feeling that the ferocity of Barao will win the day.  This isn't going to be technical, its going to be about those intangibles that never show up on tales of the tape or a look at past fights.  Barao by decision.  Don't feel bad Faber fans, he's been a little distracted by publicity and hollywood.  He'll eventually be the best fighter pound for pound in the world.  Just not in this fight.

Wargasim...

Wargasim: noun; the intense rush of blood to a man's nether regions which results from seeing motivating Marine Corps propaganda.

This is your Wargasim for today.