SOFREP's take on The Asymmetric Warfare Group

Head over to SOFREP to read their take on the AWG.  Interesting.  I never knew these guys existed but I'm a bit confused.  I thought the US Army already had an AWG....its called US Army Special Forces.  From taking a look at the vid (you can see it below) I've never seen so many tabs, CIB's and jump wings on anyone outside of a Special Forces Group (and I'm talking about old skool SF guys).  I wonder why the Army didn't just detail a platoon or company from SF to provide this service?  I'm looking forward to more articles to fully explain the why with this unit.

Operation Helmand Viper

B-roll video of Regimental Combat Team 6, Scout Snipers doing the Marine thing.

Compare and contrast with the pic of the happenings with the 82nd Aviation Brigade out of Bagrahm.  Interesting yes?

Your war may vary.

PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - The Creative Arts Dance Team performs to "I Just Can't Give Up Now" by Mary Mary in celebration of Women's Equality Day, Aug. 24, 2012. The 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade celebrated Women's Equality Day on Bagram Airfield, with servicemembers and civilians from all across the large base. Congress designated Aug. 26 as "Women's Equality Day" in 1971, to commemorate the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Eric Pahon)

I don't give a damn about the dance.


Its not about gender.

Its about the war effort.

If you have the time to hold celebrations for whoever and you're in a war zone then you don't need to be there.  Its suppose to be a max effort to locate and destroy the enemy.

This indicates to me that the initiative has been lost.  This indicates that even at the Brigade level the focus is not on winning the war.

Its time to bring our people home...especially if they have time to do this stuff.

Girls just wanna have fun

USMC's MV-22 belly all quadrant gun is a blast from the past.

The 24th MEU's Public Affairs Office (they do a great job by the way) ran an article on the underbelly gun for the MV-22.  Its designed to provide fire mainly to the front and sides during insertion and extraction.

Its been done before and its being put on the MV-22 is a blast from the past.  Whether or not its known as such is beyond me, but if it isn't tribal knowledge then the Marine Corps is losing touch with its institutional history.  The above pic is of an OV-10D.  If I'm not mistaken they slaved the gun with the pilots view through the FLIR mounted on the nose of the airplane.

A simple and elegant solution that seems to have eluded the otherwise fine folks at NAVAIR.  Its time to get our house in order.  First we need a detailed study of our history...both in battle and research...and then we need to proceed with programs that we actually need.  If we don't then all we'll be doing is repeating blasts from our past.

Its time to push BAE on new built AAV's

Its time to brutally use an ally to see what kind of deal the USMC can get when it comes to new built AAV's.  The Japanese are in the market to buy AAV's and the deal they had brewing with SAMSUNG of S. Korea (who have the license rights to build them) fell through so they're looking at a US company to get the job done.  That company would be BAE.

Additionally Brazil just put out that they're in the market for 24 or 36 of these vehicles.

Its time to get medival on BAE and get our armored vehicle issues solved once and for all.

Approach BAE with a wish list of modifications, improvements and armaments fits for the vehicle....get a bulk buy including the Japanese and Brazilians in the deal and there you have it.

SEALY, Texas has jobs....the USMC has its vehicles...Japan and Brazil too...and good enough but not great is satisified.

Additionally BAE has already done the leg work on this.  We can have this setup for next years budget instead of playing the usual procurement games.

But is leadership smart enough to get it done?  I doubt it.  They're fans of process and paperwork instead of results.

Mike Sparks analysis of COIN Aircraft.

Many consider Mike Sparks a madman.  I totally disagree.  Except for him being RABIDLY anti Marine Corps the guys was spot on.  Plus he put work in when it came to his blog.  It can only be found on way back machines but its definitely worth a look.  One of his best posts was on COIN aircraft.  Check it out here.  Photos  are from his site...

Congrats! And a warning for the Fleet Marine Force

First.  Congrats to a Marine that is super squared away, lives right, is a moral family man on his being selected for promotion and MARSOC.  You deserve everything that's coming your way and I wish you nothing but the best.  Unlike some, you don't whine and cry.  You make a decision, work your ass off and make things happen.  I wish more people were like you.

Second.  My biggest fears are coming true when it comes to MARSOC.  The Army can support a special operations force.  It has the personnel.  With the coming drawdown in the Marine Corps you're seeing the conventional forces being cherry picked for the best and brightest...this from an already limited pool of people.  The end result will be that Marine Corps conventional forces will only be worthy of conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.  USMC conventional forces will soon approach the competency of our reserve forces during the 80's and 90's...and those were part time folks.  General Amos, you stupid bastard.  I hate you and can't wait till you're gone.  You're destroying my Marine Corps.