Silhouette pics are all the rage...

Sgt. Steve McCann, a vehicle commander with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, and a native of Boston, MA, provides overwatch during a transfer of authority ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Sept. 13. 1/23, nicknamed “The Lone Star Battalion”, handed over responsibility to a wide variety of operations to 1st Bn., 25th Marines after a successful seven-month deployment.

A security detail keeps overwatch during a Relief In Place (RIP) ceremony at the Base Defense Operations Center (BDOC), Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, to commemorate the Transition Of Authority (TOA) from 1/23rd to 1/25th United States Marines on 13th September 2011. ..Royal Air Force Photo by Sergeant Mitch Moore/Released

31st MEU Marines return to USS Denver

Photos by Petty Officer 3rd Class Casey Kyhl

Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit pilot an amphibious assault vehicle towards the well deck of the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver, not pictured.

Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit pilot an amphibious assault vehicle into the well deck of the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver.

Royal air force conduct operations in Helmand province

All photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Chandle

Two Royal air force CH-47 Chinooks take off from Task Force Helmand headquarters in Lashkar Gah district, Helmand province, Sept. 22.

A Royal air force CH-47 Chinook soars over Lashkar Gah district as the sun sets, Sept. 24.

212th Rescue Squadron and 509th Infantry Regiment (Airborne) train

All photos by Staff Sgt. Zachary Wolf

*Note*
This is my only complaint with Air Force Para-Rescue. They do great work but they change up how Infantry units operate when they show up. If its simply Marine Corps or Army or even an Allied Dust Off then the grunts on the ground are running things and no assessment by a "Para-Rescue" Officer is necessary. Your perimeter is set, you get the wounded aboard and they're on the way. I'd love details on the hows and whys of this force.

First Lt. Aaron Hunter (left), 212th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer, and Tech. Sgt. Brandon Stuemke, 212th Rescue Squadron pararescueman, assess the scene upon arrival during training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Sept. 21. The training focused on quick-care-under-fire and also gave training to Baker Company, 3rd Platoon, 509th Infantry Regiment (Airborne), on how to react when pararescuemen arrive.

Pararescuemen from the 212th Rescue Squadron and members of Baker Company, 3rd Platoon, 509th Infantry Regiment (Airborne), load a casualty into an HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter during training on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Sept. 21. The training focused on quick-care-under-fire and also gave training to Baker Company on how to react when pararescuemen arrive.

An HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter transports the casualties and members of Baker Company, 3rd Platoon, 509th Infantry Regiment (Airborne), and the 212th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen during training on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Sept. 21. In this specific training scenario, the pararescuemen used the helicopter to evacuate members of Baker Company who were hit by an improvised explosive device.

An HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter prepares to land during joint training of the 212th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen and members of Baker Company, 3rd Platoon, 509th Infantry Regiment (Airborne), on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Sept. 21. In this specific training scenario, the pararescuemen used the helicopter to reach members of Baker Company who were hit by an improvised explosive device and were under heavy fire.

Pararescuemen from the 212th Rescue Squadron and members of Baker Company, 3rd Platoon, 509th Infantry Regiment (Airborne), look for the HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter during training on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Sept. 21. The training focused on quick-care-under-fire and also gave training to Baker Company on how to react when pararescuemen arrive.

Staff Sgt. BIll Cenna, 212th Rescue Squadron pararescueman, briefs Staff Sgt. Jason Ruiz, 212th Rescue Squadron pararescueman, on his patient's status during training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Sept. 21. The training focused on quick-care-under-fire and also gave training to Baker Company, 3rd Platoon, 509th Infantry Regiment (Airborne), on how to react when pararescuemen arrive.

Spc. Michael Hillhouse, Baker Company, 3rd Platoon, 509th Infantry Regiment (Airborne), radio telephone operator, provides security as an HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter lands to evacuate casualties during a training exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Sept. 21. The training focused on quick-care-under-fire and also gave training to Baker Company on how to react when pararescuemen arrive.

Carter gets the nod...

Few people noticed it but Ashton Carter was confirmed as Deputy Defense Secretary.  Via AFA...

Carter Gets Senate Nod: The Senate last week unanimously confirmed Ash Carter as the next deputy defense secretary. Carter, who has been the Pentagon's acquisition executive since April 2009, will replace Bill Lynn, who is stepping down after serving in the Defense Department's No. 2 post since February 2009. "Ash has a steady hand, a keen intellect, and an effective management style that will help this department keep faith with our troops and protect our nation," said Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in the DOD release announcing Carter's confirmation. Panetta added, "He is already an essential part of my team as an outstanding undersecretary of defense, and I look forward to his continued guidance and leadership as he assumes his new responsibilities." President Obama nominated Carter for the post in early August.

So where does that leave the leadership of the DOD?

Panetta is solidly behind the F-35...in statements at least.  Carter has been the point man when it comes to defending the program.  The Commandant of the Marine Corps is behind it...The Navy is wavering but appear to be cautiously optimistic---if it works (and it will) then they'll be clamoring for it.  And the USAF has no other options.

The Senate can play all the games that they like but in the end, who is going to want to risk middle class jobs that will result from defense cuts?  Same applies to the House.

And we haven't even talked China yet.

The program is safe and the naysayers are spitting in the wind. 

The Police are not ready for outbreaks of rioting.

I saw this on Drudge....suffice it to say that the NYPD is supposedly the best equipped and most highly trained big city police department in this county.

If a few protesters in Wall Street could cause this much commotion then what will happen if the Bronx goes crazy?

The police aren't ready.  Our leadership isn't ready.  And I'm betting that with all the alarming reports coming out of Europe about Greece about to default and the EU being on the brink that we're on the edge of a financial meltdown that will shake the entire world.

Interesting times I tell ya...interesting times!

The enemy of my enemy is my friend...

Wow...I wonder what Turkey thinks about this development between the Greeks and Israeli's?  The enemy of my enemy is my friend!

Three IAF helicopters, two Apache longbows and one Blackhawk, fly above Greek mountains during a joint exercise with the Hellenic Air Force, on June 2011.

Ok...this bag stuff is getting ridiculous!

I've watched the modern day preparedness movement and have even adopted some of the ideas.

But parts of it are getting just plain goofy.  Specifically this bag stuff.  Its getting ridiculous!

1.  A Get Home Bag.

2.  Vehicle Bag.

3.  Every Day Carry Bag.

4.  Bug Out Bag.

Now my boy SootchOO is talking about a home defense bag?!?!  Really?  Seriously?  Check out his vid...