US Marines have landed in Australia...

via the Australia Ministry of Defense.

The first company-sized rotation of approximately 200 United States Marines Corps personnel have been officially welcomed to Darwin, with a ceremony at Robertson Barracks.
This initial Marine Corps rotation arrived in Darwin on 3 April, as part of the enhanced Australia‑US defence cooperation announced in November last year by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and United States President Barack Obama.
US Marine Corps personnel will deploy to northern Australia on a rotational basis for around six months per year.
In the future, up to 2500 Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) personnel will rotate into Australia during the northern dry season. 
A full MAGTF includes a Command Element, Ground Element, Aviation Element and Logistics Element.  Major equipment to support the elements of the MAGTF includes wheeled vehicles, artillery pieces, light armoured vehicles and aircraft, in addition to personnel. 
Heavy equipment, vehicles and aircraft are not included in the first rotation.
During the six-month deployment, the US Marine Corps will spend two or three months in Australia, mainly in Australian Defence Force training areas and ranges.  The remaining time will be spent engaging with partners in the region.
The US Marine Corps will use existing Defence facilities in northern Australia for accommodation and training. Defence will provide a range of support to this initial rotation and costs for this rotation will be shared under existing legal, financial and logistical arrangements.

Geez.

I'm happy to see the USMC finally getting set up in Australia.

Aussie Women!  YES!

But it strikes me that operational tempo Marine Corps wide seems to be increasing rather dramatically.  Afghanistan, MEU's, Africa, Japan, Australia and detachments operating everywhere in between ???

Yeah.  The war is suppose to be winding down in Afghanistan but the Marine Corps is busier than ever.  If the Ops Tempo keeps up at this pace then there is no way they'll be able to down size the Corps.

No way at all.

UPDATE & SPECIAL MESSAGE TO ALL GETTING ORDERS TO AUSTRALIA:  Be warned.  Everything living was designed to kill ya---makes a night at the NTA feel like a picnic..and that's during rainy season.  Check this out...via Cracked.com

Things in Australia that Will Kill You

Everything. No, seriously: Everything.

First there's the wildlife: If something appears to be cute and harmless in Australia, then we promise you - it has only evolved that way to lure you close enough for the thousands of ravenous, prehensile blade-tongues to descended upon you.

Then there's the Geography: Consisting mostly of arid, dry desert, (populated by over 100 venomous species of snake...READ THIS PART AGAIN~!  100 SPECIES OF VENOMOUS SNAKES!  THAT'S FUCKED UP BEYOND WORDS!) the harsh local climate is peppered with small, livable areas presumably just to lull human beings into a false sense of security.

Ah, but the tropical beaches, you say! Surely the paradise on Earth that is the Australian beach makes up for an entire continent of biological weapons. And it's true: Australia is known for having some of the best beaches in the world...all you have to worry about are the Saltwater Crocs, Great White Sharks, poisonous Stonefish, or being stung by the Box Jellyfish: The deadliest and most painful sting of any Jellyfish species in the world.

Your best bet is just to stay in the city then, right? Enjoy the local culture; go visit the capital of Canberra, or visit beautiful Sydney and see the wonder of the Opera house. And that's totally safe: Just remember to wear protective clothing, stay in well travelled areas, always know the nearest path to a hospital, and just generally try not to exist - because Australia is also home to over 280 species of poisonous spider (THAT'S RIGHT YOU LUCKY/POOR FUCKED BASTARD...100 SPECIES OF SNAKES AND 280 DIFFERENT POISONOUS CRAWLING IN YOUR SLEEPING BAG WHILE YOU'RE JACKING OFF SPIDERS---FACE IT....YOU LANDED IN PARADISE JUST TO GET FUCKED UP!), including that aforementioned Sydney Funnel Web Spider. What, did you think it was just a name? No, it lives in cities, in garages, in tool sheds and houses - it even swims. IT FUCKING SWIMS.

Seriously: Everything in Australia evolved solely to kill everything else in Australia - and you show up with your soft, unarmored skin, tiny, rounded teeth, and ridiculously non-poisonous spit and expect a vacation?

You just walked into Mother Nature's Thunderdome, friend. And in this analogy, you're not Max; you're the dead retard.  YEP.  SAY IT OUT LOUD.  YOU MADE IT THROUGH A WAR ZONE JUST TO GET BENEFITS PAID TO YOUR FAMILY BECAUSE YOU GOT DEPLOYED TO READY TO FUCK YOU UP THE MINUTE YOU SLIP RAT FUCKED AUSTRALIA!

Things in Australia that Will Not Kill You

....

Hugh Jackman seems nice. 

All the above is said tongue in cheek (except the fact that the animals/wildlife will snack on your ass if you're stupid).

1st Marine Logistics Group (FWD)

Lance Cpl. John Clark, (left), and Cpl. Phillip Rial, both support Marines with 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) mix concrete and water to make a mold for a mock Afghan compound that will serve as a training aide on the EOD compound at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, March 31. Clark, a welder, and Rial, a bulk fuel specialist, have completed multiple tasks on the compound to help support EOD Company's mission while deployed.

Lance Cpl. John Clark, a welder and support Marine with 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) puts concrete into a mold while constructing a mock Afghan compound that will serve as a training aide on the EOD compound at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, March 31. Clark, along with 15 other Marines and sailors, support EOD Co. by performing multiple tasks - some of which fall outside of their traditional military occupational specialty.

Sgt. Cliff Lucker, (left), an explosive ordnance disposal technician with 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) instructs Marines from 1st Battalion, 7th Marines on counter improvised explosive device tactics on the EOD Co. compound at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, March 31. Lucker and other EOD technicians have the ability to train and teach Marines utilizing the IED lanes the support personnel of EOD Co. built throughout their deployment.

43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines...

I don't quite know how to label this post.  I'd love to say 43 Commando was back but in a sense they never went away.  This is what the Royal Navy had to say....

One of the most famous names in Royal Marines history has returned with the re-formation of 43 Commando at Faslane.
The new unit – officially 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines – is the largest in the Corps and is responsible for protecting the nation’s nuclear deterrent as well as taking the fight to modern-day pirates in specialist boarding teams.
 From today Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines – who safeguard Britain’s nuclear deterrent and are the Navy’s experts in board and search/counter-piracy operations – are 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines, resurrecting the title of a legendary wartime formation.

So I guess in US Marine Corps language these guys would be a mix of FAST Company and Maritime Raid Force along with VBSS Teams.

Pretty impressive skill sets...I wonder how they have it broken down with in the Unit.  Do they have different "Squadrons" or Platoons assigned to each mission or is everyone cross trained?

Doesn't matter.  I'm just glad to see the Royal Marines beefing up a bit.  Good Stuff.

Blast from the past...Special Warfare Armored Transport.

The vehicle above is called the Special Warfare Armored Transport.  The image and information on it can be found at War Wheels Website...

Amazing isn't it.

In 1966 the US Army developed a set of requirements that pretty much spelled out the Stryker and Marine Personnel programs.

Except for probably not being IED resistant, I bet you could dust off the specs and maybe win a contest or two even today.

Sidenote:

Cut the modelers some slack.  In most cases they're doing a better job of perserving our armored and avaition history than most of the corporations and the various governments world wide.  Even if you're not a hobbyist I highly recommend you frequent a few of the sites.  You'd be surprised at the wealth of info you can find.

Now you want to defend the program?

via Military.com

The Defense Department’s F-35 Lightning II fighter program is “achieving stability” after its latest record-breaking cost estimate was unveiled last week, a top Pentagon spokesman said Tuesday, and he reaffirmed DoD’s commitment to the huge international effort.
Pentagon Press Secretary George Little acknowledged to reporters “there had been issues in the past with respect to development and testing, and with respect to cost,” but that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta had made getting them under control a top priority.
“We do believe we’re achieving stability over time with respect to development and testing and with respect to cost,” Little said. He alluded to the next batch of F-35s that DoD expects to order from prime contractor Lockheed Martin, a deal that would require Lockheed to cover more of the costs for develop the fighters even as they’re also in production.

Read the whole thing....but....

Its pretty fucking pathetic.

Only now do the clowns at the Pentagon realize that this program is under assault and needs to be defended.  Want proof?  Read the latest from Sweetman over at Aviation Week.  I'd quote it here but to be honest it makes me sick.

The sad thing is that this all could have been avoided.

But they didn't take the misinformation campaign seriously.  They didn't realize that an old hack (who was once a hero, now turned pure politician) named McCain would latch onto the critics of the program to burnish his maverick theme.

They just didn't think.  But that's ok.  The line is running out on the Defense/Aviation writers that think they can make a name on bashing the F-35.

The way I figure it...One wrong move and they'll end up the ass lickers....

How long before SOCOM gets this shiny new toy for the SEALs?

I'd bet money that a procurement officer is on his way to make an urgent operational request for a couple of these boats for SEAL use.

The 30mm cannon is unique though.  I don't think I've seen one of these "pursuit"/"insertion" boats with one before.

F-16 Living Legacy

A quick thought on the Scout Helicopter Program.

 Just a quick thought on the US Army's Scout Helicopter Competition.

EADS and Sikorsky have practically driven Boeing and Bell out of contention.

Why do I say that?

Because both helicopters offer something that neither OH-58II or the AH-6 can offer.

Utility.

The Sikorsky offers technological innovation and drastic improvements in speed and performance.

The EADS offering gives you a proven, affordable platform that you already have a supply chain established for and the potential for a low price.

The ball is in the Army's court but it would appear from this outsiders view that they can whittle this comp down to two helos before the contest even begins.