When Joint becomes stupid.

via DefenseTalk. 

Air Force and Navy personnel at Camp Lemonnier integrated their security forces into one cohesive unit July 1.
The overall purpose of this integration was to enhance security efforts on camp. Before the integration, the two branches had separate areas of security responsibility, which presented a few challenges.

And now you're seeing the idiocy of the "Joint Force."  This is crazy and stupid.  So you have two separate security units coming together and doing the job.  This tells me two things.  First that this camp isn't under real threat of attack and two, they're more concerned with publicity rather than efficiency.

Why do I say they're not REALLY worried about attack?  Because if they were then you wouldn't see a hodge podge security effort.  You'd see an Army, Navy or Air Force Security Force that was large enough to accomplish the task without having to be combined with any other service.  Second, if they were concerned about security then the last thing you would do is announce these changes.  But this tells me something else.  The action in Africa has moved on.  Its no longer at Camp Lemonnier.  Where is it?  I don't know.  But it left the Horn of Africa for sure. 

Thursday Thoughts (not military)

I wonder if this was said in jest or if they were deadly serious.  You never know with these two.

Really? You open your store using combat tactics?

Really?

You have to open your store using combat tactics?  And you do this every business day?  via Endo Blog (he gets some of the craziest stuff!).



The town just outside of Ft Bragg was called Fatal Ville because of all the fights and shootings and other craziness that went on there.  I guess things haven't changed.

Still, its pure dee craziness to have to patrol to your store, breach the door and make a combat entry (just joking...sorta).

NOTE:  Freeze the vid at the 34 second mark.  WHAT DOES HE HAVE HANGING OFF THE END OF THAT AK!???!???!  Geez!  I bet half of it doesn't work and the other half is just for show!  Wow.  Tactifool!

British Special Ops using LWRC M6A2 UCIW?

Caliber: 5.56 NATO and 6.8 SPC
Barrel Length: 8"
Weight (unloaded): 6.25lbs
Length (overall): 22" - 24.3"
Rate of Fire: Semi Auto or Select Fire 700 rpm (+/- 100rpm)
Rifling: 1/7" RH (5.56); 1/10" RH (6.8)
Stock/Pistol Grip: Custom/Magpul MIAD
Sights: LWRCI Folding BUIS Front and Rear
Magazine: Magpul 30 rd. P-Mag(5.56); Barrett 30 rd.(6.8)
Muzzle Device: A2 Birdcage 1/2x28 TPI (5.56); A2 Birdcage 5/8X24 TPI(6.8)

I once made Tactical Life part of my daily scan around the net but got away from it.  I'm back to it though, especially after reading this....

While the PSD is compact, the British special operations community wanted something even smaller. Several manufacturers, including LWRCI and HK, submitted subcompact rifles for evaluation and, at the end of a rigorous selection process, LWRCI was selected to fill the requirement. The rifle that was designed for the British has been designated as the Ultra-Compact Individual Weapon, or UCIW, and was first displayed at an industry trade show in 2011. When I visited the LWRCI booth, I was impressed with the balance and compactness of the UCIW and immediately requested an upper to test and evaluate. Our test sample was the first unit released for editorial evaluation.

Wow.  If the Brits have this chambered in 6.8 then they might have something unique and special.  British Special Ops will probably be outfitted with them at the Olympics.  I'll be keeping an eye out to hopefully see one in the wild.

Syrian Rebels are getting help.

Check out this report from Tactical Life...

A suicide bomber killed at least three top aides to President Bashar al-Assad of Syria on Wednesday including the defense minister and Mr. Assad’s powerful brother-in-law, state television and opposition activists reported. The attack in Damascus, after three days of fighting in the capital, hit at the very military structure that has been directing the harsh repression of the 17-month-old uprising against Mr. Assad’s rule.

The assassinations were the first of such high-ranking members of the elite in the revolt and could represent a turning point in the conflict, analysts said. The nature and target of the attack strengthened the opposition’s claims that its forces have been marshaling strength to strike at the close-knit centers of state power.
President Assad made no public statement about the attack and his whereabouts was not immediately clear.

The Rebels are getting help.

There is no other answer for a strike that's this precise.

Think about it.  We've heard pleas that these Rebels have been on there last leg...that they're getting pushed out of Syria and suddenly...without warning they're able to locate and kill the Defense Minister and his three aides?

One of our alphabet agencies is doing some serious work there.  I'd bet body parts on it.

RIMPAC, the USMC and FoxNews...

A pretty vanilla video if you just look at it from the surface.

But dig into it a bit.

Out of all the US Navy ships available, they chose an Amphibious Assault Ship...a ship designed and equipped to transport Marines ashore ---  Marines were highlighted (as were some of our allies) and other tools of our trade...LCAC's, Helo's...etc...

If you're a Marine you should be proud.  You should also realize that you have something that the other services don't ... a reputation born on the battlefield that isn't to be squandered.

If you're in the Big Navy or part of the Carrier Mafia, you should be alarmed.  The "green fleet" wasn't mentioned, carriers got no air time and other initiatives that are near and dear to your heart got no play.

You still got it Marines.  Don't waste it.

SIDENOTE:

Big Army!  Once again you wasted a prime time opportunity!  Geez HQ Army send over a company of the 82nd, 10th Mountain, 25th ID or someone!  You talk about making the move to the Pacific too but you don't have anyone showing up (2nd ID in Korea doesn't count...that's homefield).  Showing up is half the battle.  Get off your ass, free up some funds and team up with the USAF and pack a C-17 with some Para-troops on a mission to the PacRim!

SU-35's to Venezuela.

The arms race in South America continues.  The F-35, F-16, F-15, Super Hornet or even the EuroFighter should be big sellers now...especially if Venezuela actually buys the SU-35.  Check this out.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Thursday he is interested in buying Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E multirole fighter jets from Russia to enhance his country’s defense capabilities.
“I have already sent a statement to the government of Russia that we are ready to consider buying in the next few years Su-35 fighters to modernize and enhance our defense powers,” Venezuela’s national radio quoted Chavez as saying.
The president said that the issues of security, defense and the development of the country should be the priority for the government of Venezuela within the frames of the national independence provision.
“This independence, the well protected and guaranteed one, will give us a possibility to build new Venezuela, new Fatherland and to reach new horizons,” he added.
The Su-35, powered by two 117S engines with thrust vectoring, combines high maneuverability and the capability to effectively engage several air targets simultaneously using both guided and unguided missiles and weapon systems.
The aircraft has been touted as "4++ generation using fifth-generation technology."

Mark my words.  A little economic shock, mixed with rising fuel prices, a dash of social unrest and you could see S. America in flames.

United States WWII Heavy Tanks. A lost history.

T28 Super Heavy Tank

M6A2E (Super Sherman)

T32 Heavy Tank (modification of the early Pattons?)