Monday, July 19, 2010

Det One: USMC Spec Ops in Iraq 2003-2006

via the good people over at STRIKE-HOLD!  Check them out.

Det One Boards_Det One                                                            

Northrop Grumman G/ATOR coming to a theater you might deploy in!

Navy adopting Army's External Stores Support System???

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 14, 2010) Marines assigned to the visit, board, search, and seizure team of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) fast-rope from an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter onto the flight deck of the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195) during a composite unit training exercise (COMPTUEX). (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jesse J. Johnson/Released) 100714-M-6539J-058

I saw this photo on the Navy website and noticed that this helicopter is sporting the Army's External Stores Support System.  Every SeaHawk that I had seen before wore the Navy's unique store system which was much lower on the fuselage.  Is this change common place or is this simply a trial?
This would definitely make the SeaHawk only one step away from becoming a true BattleHawk, able to influence warfare in the littorals.  Maybe NAVAIR is listening????

US Marines and Australian Soldiers doing real cross training at RIMPAC.

This is the Australian view of the cross training with the Marines.  Note the full integration of their Infantry with our Assault Amphibian Battalion....you even have a Section Leader (I think that's what they call their squads) taking up the proper position in the vehicle.  Way to go Aussies!

Officer in Command Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Major Mick Buchanan conducts a communications check from the commanders cupola of an AAVP7 RAMS amphibious vehicles belonging to the 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Bravo company were operating as mounted infantry with the marines to conduct joint amphibious operations training from the well deck of the USS Cleveland.
 Soldiers from Bravo Company 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment embarked aboard the US amphibious transport dock ship (LPD 7) USS Cleveland, prepare to mount up in AAVP7 RAMS amphibious vehicles belonging to the 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion of the United States Marine Corps, to conduct joint amphibious operations training from the well deck of the USS Cleveland.
Soldiers from Bravo Company 2nd Batallion Royal Australian Regiment embarked aboard the US amphibious transport dock ship (LPD 7) USS Cleveland, mount up in AAVP7 RAMS amphibious vehicles belonging to the 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion of the United States Marine Corps, awaiting launch to conduct joint amphibious operations training from the well deck of the USS Cleveland.
Soldiers from Bravo Company 2nd Batallion Royal Australian Regiment embarked aboard the US amphibious transport dock ship (LPD 7) USS Cleveland, mount up in AAVP7 RAMS amphibious vehicles belonging to the 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion of the United States Marine Corps, awaiting launch to conduct joint amphibious operations training from the well deck of the USS Cleveland.

Latest F-35 news...the Marine Corps will not allow delays...


When you have the Head of Marine Corps Aviation weighing in on the F-35's future operating concept and talking about making design TWEAKS (not a mistake jet as some would have it) then you know that the Marine Corps is serious about its Initial Operating Capability date of 2012.  More good news for the program.  Another stake in the heart of the beast known as "GOON"!


This from DoDBuzz...
“We have made the decision to adjust the IPP,” he said Sunday, reshaping the nozzle so that the enormous thrust comes out in an oval shape instead of the more highly focused circle now used. The oval “will resolve that problem for almost all surfaces,” he said.


NOTE*
The definition of a "Goon" in the urban dictionary is... Someone hired to rough someone up, usually someone big and dumb who commits acts of violence for money.  *Example* I'll show those fools, i'll hire a couple of goons to give those butt-pummeling ass clowns a fresh one across the face. FIST!

The Marine Corps "Mans Up" the Navy's Partnership mission.

The amount of political correctness coming out of the US Navy is becoming annoying.  Luckily for them, they have a Men's department in the form of the US Marine Corps.  Check out this new take on these "partnerships for peace" missions.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Blast from the Past. AH-56 Cheyene Attack Helicopter.

Pure Dee Awesome.  240 MPH?!!!  Wow.  We just need to dust off the blueprints.

Canadian Military's Statement on the F-35.


You can read the whole thing here...but this is the operative passage...
“The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is the best aircraft we can provide our men and women in uniform to face and defeat the challenges of the 21st century,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “This multi-role stealth fighter will help the Canadian Forces defend the sovereignty of Canadian airspace, remain a strong and reliable partner in the defence of North America, and provide Canada with an effective and modern capability for international operations.”
“A lengthy and intense competition was completed in 2001 for who would build the F-35,” said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women. “Canadian companies and the Canadian government helped develop the F-35, and now we are exercising our option under the Joint Strike Fighter memorandum of understanding to acquire it.”
And with that the F-35's critics have to absorb another crushing body blow.  This is like an MMA fight now.  The critics are swinging away but can't land a punch or even attempt a submission move....all the while the F-35 program gets stronger and is pummeling the competition.

Did I say MMA fight? 

That's a bad analogy.  Its more like a street fight with the critics playing the part of a bunch of street toughs and thugs trying to mug Bruce Lee (who represents the F-35 in this scenario).

You know the outcome but its still fascinating to watch.  Bruce Lee (the F-35) wins easily.

Blast from the Past. F-16XL

This is the plane that many wish the USAF had chosen over the F-15E.  Would it have been better?  I just don't know.  Pics are from Lockheed Martin.