Monday, May 24, 2010

Pic of the day. May 24, 2010.

100520-N-8377A-247 HAD YAO BEACH, Thailand (May 20, 2010) A Royal Thai Navy helicopter prepares to insert Royal Thai marines on the beach as a U.S. Marine Corps amphibious assault vehicle advances to its objective during a combined beach landing. The beach landing was the premier event of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2010. Elements of the Royal Thai Navy, Air Force and Marines as well as U.S. Navy and Marines took part in the landing. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Michael Ard/Released) 


The idea that US Forces were participating in an exercise with the Thai government while they were involved in a bloody crack down on their civilian population is disturbing.  As many readers have pointed out, I don't know the who's, why's and what for's of the situation.  Still.  Its disturbing.  

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Marinestan.



Note. This is too good. Excerpt from Victor Davis (read the whole thing here)...


The U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, retired three-star Army General Karl W. Eikenberry, reportedly made a comment about there being 41 nations serving in Afghanistan -- and a 42nd composed of the Marine Corps. One unnamed Obama administration official was quoted by the Washington Post as saying, "We have better operational coherence with virtually all of our NATO allies than we have with the U.S. Marine Corps."

Some officials call the new Marine enclave in Nimruz Province "Marinestan" -- as if, out of a Kipling or Conrad novel, the Marines have gone rogue to set up their own independent province of operations.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

MPF(Future)

Hybrid-Defense Reconnaissance Assault (Hy-DRA)

Major Hat Tip to Jonathan.

Sorry about the quality of the video. This came from the Raytheon website and the quality wasn't good.



Rtn Rms Products Hydra Data

Capability Gap. No Combat Engineer Vehicle.

I know what you're saying right now.  That's false, we have the Assault Breacher Vehicle.  I would beg to differ.  The Assault Breacher Vehicle is properly named.  It is an assault enabler.  It will clear obstacles, whether tank traps or land mines.  What it can't do is properly assist in the defense.  What it can't do is help with emplacements,  build or destroy berms...do the other tasks that we ask Combat Engineers to do on a daily basis while under fire. 
The vehicle that was suppose to fulfill the role of CEV was the now canceled Grizzly -- that's too bad.

What's worse is the fact that many of our Allies have these vehicles while maintaining much smaller formations than we do.  The German designed and built Kodiak would be a fine addition to our Army's heavy armored formations.

Simply placing a blade on the front of an M1 Abrams is not good enough. The problem with the new direction (and the lack of capability found in our Army) is that we've done a complete 180 from the bearing that was set during the 90's.  The light weight Stryker will in future versions top 30 tons.  The GCV is estimated at a minimum of 50 tons and at its heaviest up to 70 tons!

A light weight, airmobile force of the future is a pipe dream that's already been discarded.  Amazing.  Now get our Army's Sappers a real CEV.

MTVR. The most important vehicle in Marine Corps service.

When the history of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are written, the vehicle that should be the subject of most conversation, at least in Marine Corps service, should be the MTVR.

No wheeled vehicle has displayed the mobility, adaptability and versatility that this design from Oshkosh has displayed.
During the war in Iraq it was indispensable.  Used as both a logistics vehicle, prime mover for artillery and infantry carrier, its easy to say that the MTVR was essential.

When the war moved to Afghanistan, its high mobility again came to the fore.  Few other vehicles were able to keep up with it cross country.  Even the vaunted Stryker could not go where the MTVR was asked to travel.
 Oshkosh MTVR Brochure 08

Different subject. UFC 114. My predictions.



I decided to take a time out and give my take on the upcoming fight.

Rashad Evans vs.  Rampage Jackson
Rashad and it will be easier than everyone thinks.  Rampage has been gone and hasn't looked good in his warm up.  Rashad is a PT God!  His training regime looks beyond intense and I don't see the fire coming from Rampage.

3rd round knockout of Jackson.

Bisping vs. Miller
I'm no fan of Bisping but he's got heart as big as the outdoors.  He doesn't quit and he leaves it all in the octagon.  Miller is vicious though.  His technique is better and he has better stand up.  A brawler vs. a fighter.

Miller by decision.

I know you disagree, but at least give me courtesy of explaining why I'm wrong.