Anti-War.

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From the Lew Rockwell Internet web site we have this article:

"Memorializing the Horrors of War with 10 Must-See War Films"

By John W. Whitehead

Lew Rockwell his web site described as: "anti-war, anti-state, pro-market."

As to those war movies anti-war and "must-see" the listing without any sort [?] of precedence it would seem:

* "The Third Man (1949). Carol Reed’s The Third Man, which deals primarily with the after-effects of the ravages of war"

* "Paths of Glory (1957). This Stanley Kubrick film is an antiwar masterpiece. The setting is 1916 when two years of trench warfare have arrived at a stalemate."

* "The Manchurian Candidate (1962). John Frankenheimer’s classic focuses on the psychological effects of war and its transmutation into mind control and political assassination."

* "Dr. Strangelove, Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (1964). One of the great films of all time, Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove burst onto the cinematic landscape and cast a cynical eye on the entire business of war."

* "The Deer Hunter (1978). Michael Cimino’s Academy Award-winning film is one of the most emotion-invoking films ever made."

* "Apocalypse Now (1979). I consider this Francis Ford Coppola’s best film. Based on Joseph Conrad’s novella, The Heart of Darkness"

* "Platoon (1986). This is not Oliver Stone’s best film, but it is one helluva war movie".

* "Full Metal Jacket (1987). Stanley Kubrick’s take on Vietnam is one of the most powerful and psychological dramas ever made."

* "Jacob’s Ladder (1990). Adrian Lyne’s thriller hits the psyche like a thunderbolt. A man (Tim Robbins) struggles with what he saw while serving in Vietnam."

* "Jarhead (2005). Sam Mendes’ film follows a Marine recruit (Jake Gyllenhaal) through Marine boot camp to service in Operation Desert Storm"

Add to that list "Das Boot" and "Casualties of War".

Devoted readers to the blog can suggest further?

coolbert.

SVP-24

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As extracted from the isegoria.net Internet web site the Russian making claims of precision-guided  bombing using iron "dumb" bombs. At least as accurate [?] if not more so than the American JDAM's or Paveway type munitions!

"Special Computing Subsystem 24"

"The Russian Air Force, now known as the Russian AirSpace Force, has been able to maintain a high tempo of operations in Syria, launching a high volume of precision munitions surprisingly cheaply"

"Instead of mounting a kit on an old bomb and lose the kit every time, the Russians mounted a JDAM-like kit, but on the airplane."

This called SVP-24.

"SVP stands for “special computing subsystem”. What this system does is that it constantly compares the position of the aircraft and the target (using the GLONASS satellite navigation system), it measures the environmental parameters (pressure, humidity, windspeed, speed, angle of attack, etc.). It can also receive additional information from datalinks from AWACs aircraft, ground stations, and other aircraft. The SVP-24 then computes an 'envelope' (speed, altitude, course) inside which the dumb bombs are automatically released exactly at the precise moment when their unguided flight will bring them right over the target (with a 3-5m accuracy)."

Such a Rube Goldberg like contraption as shown in this image is not for real and strictly for consumption of the general public? Personally as I am skeptical! This apparatus too has to have numerous data links that can be intercepted, jammed, spoofed?

And from a comment to the isegoria.net entry:

"This digital remake of the Norden bombsight cannot be as precise as self-steering bombs, because the wind speed and direction change as the bomb falls through different air masses. But it’s good enough for the Russians, who don’t worry as much about collateral damage." - - Dave

This is the type of thing also during the Cold War that would have normally classified as TOP SECRET BY THE SOVIET? Now such is made apparent to the whole world?

coolbert.

Indirect Fire.

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As extracted from that prior blog entry:

* "'The M60 series has instrumentation that allows indirect fire as ad-hoc artillery if needed by virtue of having a M28A1/M28E1 azimuth indicator and M13A3 quadrant elevation on board.'
 THIS WAS A POPULAR TECHNIQUE USED WIDELY DURING THE KOREAN WAR. TANKS DRIVING UP UNTO A PRE-CONSTRUCTED WEDGE-SHAPED FIRING RAMP ABLE TO ELEVATE THE MAIN GUN BEYOND HORIZONTAL AND EMPLOY FIRE [HE-FRAG?] IN AN INDIRECT MANNER RECEIVING TARGETING DATA AS WOULD ANY ARTILLERY PIECE!"

See this You Tube video [24 seconds] showing exactly this was done. That is a M-48 tank firing?

"Tanks as Artillery - Indirect Fire - Korean War"

The current M1 Abrams cannot be used in such a manner. And even if the intention was to do so the ammo as fired not effective. High-explosive-fragmentation [HE-Frag] as fired from a tank NOT in the inventory.

That M60 tank also having that internal telephone with an outside connection using a twisted pair of telephone wire [WD-1] allows the machine to be connection to a switchboard and the outside world that would include an artillery fire direction control WITHOUT using radio communications!

Too bad!!

coolbert.

Coalition?

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From the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter as extracted with commentary we can discern an obvious indication of where both the flesh and the spirit is lacking:

What kind of Mickey Mouse is this?

"Gulf states, other Muslim countries refuse to join US-Jordanian exercise"

16 May.

"The annual Eager Lion military exercise kicked off this week in Jordan, with only two countries, Jordan and the US, taking part. Last year the counterterror drills drew troops from 18 countries in the Persian Gulf, the Middle East and North Africa. No explanation was given for the cancellations this year. The 10-day exercise until the middle of next week involves 3,000 US special forces, navy and air force troops, and 3,000 members of the Jordanian special forces."

ONE CAN REASONABLY INFER THAT THIS MILITARY EXERCISE HAS THE ISLAMIC STATE IN MIND AND HOW COUNTER THE THREAT?

See my previous blog entry regarding the need for 50,000 ground troops to counter and eventually defeat the Islamic State. If Eager Lion is indication going to be difficult to assemble such a fighting force, not even taking into consideration the command structure.

coolbert.

VC Syria.

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This is Bien Hoa Vietnam deja vu 1964 all over again? In emulation of the VC/NVA sapper of the Vietnam War era the commandoes of the Islamic State able to do to the Russian what the Vietnamese communist troop was able to do to the American. VC/NVA = Viet Cong/North Vietnamese Army.

"Commando! What kind of word is that? Commando?" - - from the movie "Breaker Morant".

Finally from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter:

"ISIS commandos infiltrate Syrian base, destroy Russian aircraft: sources"

25 May.

"Satellite pictures released by Britain's BBC on Tuesday showed widespread destruction at Tiyas air force base (also known as T4) adjacent to Palmyra in northern Syria. The pictures show that Russian warplanes, attack helicopters and dozens of supply trucks were destroyed. After analyzing the pictures, DEBKAfile's intelligence sources said ISIS commandos infiltrated the base, planted bombs under the aircraft, blew them up by remote control and fled."

RUSSIANS LISTENED TO ORCHESTRAL MUSIC WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN FLYING COMBAT MISSIONS?

See my previous  blog entry the topic of which was the VC/NVA sapper unit/commando in Vietnam:

http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/01/sappers.html

coolbert.

Fallujah.

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Yet once again from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter:

The game is a-foot. The Iraqi city of Fallujah once again the scene of urban combat! Militia of various factions taking a very active role!

1. "Iraqi troops launch attack to recapture Fallujah from ISIS"

23 May.

"Thirty-five thousand Iraqi troops launched an attack on Sunday to recapture Fallujah, the capital of Anbar province in western Iraq, which has been held by ISIS since 2014 . . . Washington and the American commanders in Iraq opposed the attack because they believe that the Iraqi army is not capable of breaking into the city and liberating it within a short period of time. They also believe that the military operation and the unstable political situation in Baghdad will have a detrimental effect on preparations for an attack on Mosul, the ISIS capital in Iraq."

2. "Iran's Soleimani leads US-backed attack on Fallujah"

24 May.

"Even though Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced that 35,000 Iraqi troops have launched an attack to liberate Fallujah from ISIS, most of those forces are not participating in the attack on the city, Pro-Iranian militias under the command of Iran's Gen. Qassem Soleimani are actually spearheading the assault . . . The US air force is helping Soleimani's attempt to capture Fallujah, and our military sources report that by assisting the offensive, which the Obama administration opposed for a long time, the Americans have actually given up on attacking Mosul, the ISIS capital in Iraq, anytime soon."

35,000 Iraqi troops as described better understood as predominantly Shia militia?

ALL THIS IS GOING TO BECOME A PROTRACTED BATTLE, THE PROVERBIAL "SENSELESS CARVE-UP" WITHOUT AMELIORATION?

Urban warfare requires troops the like of which have received more than a bare modicum of training, equipment, etc. These militia have NONE of this?

coolbert.

Flight 804.

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Here begins with extracts from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter:

DEBKA adamant that the disaster of EgyptAir flight 804 WAS INDEED A TERRORIST INCIDENT! According to DEBKA this is not even speculative, this is so!

"US mulls hitting ISIS for EgyptAir bombing"

22 May.

"A special team set up by ISIS in its Syrian capital Raqqa planned the downing of EgyptAir Flight 804 from Paris to Cairo, which took the lives of 66 passengers and crew, DEBKAfile's intelligence and counterterrorism sources say in an exclusive report. The information that an ISIS team plotting terrorist attacks has been operating in Raqqa for several weeks was known to American intelligence and counterterrorism services even before the downing of the Egyptian airliner, and warnings containing the information were sent to several Western European capitals, including Paris."

See previous blog entry the topic of which was Flight 804:

coolbert.

SLEP/Sabra.

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Here with some images of the M-60 tank adaptions, refit and refurbishment as done by Raytheon [SLEP] or the Israeli [Sabra]:

Raytheon SLEP from a side view.

Another image of the Raytheon SLEP total package. This from a quartering swhot angle. Tank  uses slat armor for protection against a HEAT round.

Israeli modified M-60T. Sabra.

Another view of the Israeli M-60T Sabra.

The devoted reader to the blog shall recall that the M-60 based on an original design as developed in 1948. Yet an armor vehicle going strong and presumably for some time too.

See previous blog entries regarding SLEP and Sabra:

http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2016/05/m-60-i.html

http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2016/05/m-60-ii.html

I would like to own one.

coolbert.

Mice/Rats/Sheep/Pigs.

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Outrage! Gnashing of teeth! Indignation!

From the Sheldon Adelson Internet newsletter Israel Hayom the Israeli engaging in experimentation for military purposes the subject of the experiments live animals!!

"Revealed: Defense establishment experimenting on animals"

"In 2015, 400 mice, 168 rats, 25 sheep, 20 pigs used in defense-related experiments • The Israeli Society for the Abolition of Vivisection: "Animals should not have to suffer for our sake. ... We demand transparency and an end to hiding information."

"vivisection  - - 1.the action of cutting into or dissecting a living body. 2. the practice of subjecting living animals to cutting operations, especially in order to advance physiological and pathological knowledge."

"Israel's defense establishment conducted experiments on more than 610 animals in 2015 alone, according to data released by the state in response to a petition filed by the Movement for Freedom of Information."

"Among the animals used for testing were 400 mice, 168 rats, 25 sheep and 20 pigs."

THAT TYPE AND NATURE OF EXPERIMENTATION NOT MENTIONED. SHEEP AND PIGS BOTH ANIMALS THE SIZE OF WHICH AND THE PLACEMENT OF THE ORGANS IN THE BODY VERY SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE HUMAN BEING!!

Vivisection of animals too as in Nazi Germany FORBIDDEN on the orders of Hermann Goering himself!!

"'Fellow Germans! - - "Since the day of the release of my decree to abolish the cruelty of vivisection, I received a flood of telegrams and letters expressing agreement and happiness that finally real steps were taken in the fight against cruelty to animals'". - - H. Goering.

coolbert.

EU Army.

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Psssst! Is it a big secret! Until now!

"Plans to create an EU army 'kept secret' from voters"

Somehow this is all related to Brexit! The English withdrawal from the European Union as to decided by referendum.

"Plans to move towards the creation of a European army are reportedly being kept secret from British voters until the day after next month’s referendum. Drawn up by the EU’s foreign policy chief, the Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy foresees the formation of new European military and operational structures. This first step towards an EU army is supported by Germany and other countries, The Times reports. In 2011, similar proposals were vetoed by Britain, although there were concerns that a loophole could allow nine states to group together to bypass opponents"

A trans-European army similar to NATO but MINUS THE UNITED STATES AND PRESUMABLY CANADA TOO!

What already exists in an informal manner I might think would be formalized and open. The Nordic nations for instance already having military agreements that would allow them to act in concert sans the participation of others in NATO?

See previous blog entries germane to this matter:

http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2016/05/eu-2nd.html

http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2016/05/50k-englishmen.html

coolbert.

UAV Israel.

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From an article as seen in the newsletter Israel Hayom  more or less extracted in entirety an interview with that commander of an Israeli Unmanned Aerial Vehicle [UAV] squadron:

"Revolution is in the air"

"The division that represents the 'new' air force more than any other is the unmanned aerial vehicle division, be it in its original perception, its unique point of view or the technology that it encompasses. The UAV division is the pioneer currently leading the fleet."

"Lt. Col. Ofir heads the White Eagle Squadron, made up of IAI Eitan reconnaissance drones. These are the largest drones operating in the air force today."

Q: "How does it feel to fly your aircraft remotely? What is the difference between flying a drone and a manned flight?"

A: "We feel as though we are right there in the battlefield, whether it is during training or during an operation. We may not be physically inside the aircraft, but operating an unmanned aircraft remotely gives the feeling of being an integral part of the operation."

"Global criticism has actually focused on this distance in recent years. Drone operators are tucked safely in their posts or offices while a drone drops a bomb on a man in Iraq, Afghanistan or Syria. The fact that a protective wall separates the drone operator from the battlefield makes the mission appear a little less humane."

Q: Do you not feel that this distance disconnects you from the true reality of the battlefield?

A: "It is actually this sterile atmosphere that allows us to make much more calculated decisions. We are not operating under pressure. I think that the values with which we are instilled from the day we first enlist in the air force, and the methods we use to question ourselves and learn while we operate, would never allow us to carry out a mission that would cause harm just because we are in a sterile environment. "

Q: The UAV division is unique in that all its aircraft are Israeli made.

A: "True, and that has a great advantage. First and foremost it is a source of Israeli pride. But it is not just the planes. For us, the cockpit is on the ground, and then comes the entire chain: communications equipment, mission cells, takeoff and landing cells, almost everything, with the exception of a handful of systems, is Israeli made. And there is another advantage: Drone operators finish their service and go to work in the industry. This means that they don't disappear from the division. They fly in my squadron and then they go to work, be it in the Israel Aerospace Industries, at Elbit, at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and they introduce the necessary improvements [to our equipment] in real time."

Q: Does your division integrate well with existing air force operations?

A: "The division is fully integrated into the air force, be it in operational missions or in building its manpower or filling this or that role that needs to be filled. I will even go as far as saying that there is almost not a single mission or training exercise that doesn't include unmanned aircraft and squadrons. I will say this cautiously: More than 50% of the air force's operations today are performed by unmanned aircraft. I am talking about the number of aircraft we have in the air right now, at any given moment. Therefore, the unmanned division is far from being a foreign transplant."

Q: Everyone wants to know: Will it soon be possible to carry out all air force missions remotely, using drones?

A: "That depends on your definition of 'soon.' It is no secret that the division is taking over responsibilities that were once exclusively performed by manned squadrons. Once you understand the true advantage of the UAV division -- the number of hours you can be in the air, not having to substitute flight teams on the ground [as there is no need to land the aircraft to make the switch], the crew's safety, the weight you are able to carry -- you realize that this technology lends itself to more and more missions that were carried out by manned teams in the past. I don't think the division is currently equipped to replace all the squadrons -- every division has its own unique capabilities. But I am pretty sure that we are going to see more unmanned squadrons in the coming years,"

MORE AND MORE MISSIONS AND NO NEED FOR THE PILOT TO GO TO THE BATHROOM AND USE THE TOILET EITHER!!

coolbert.

Bashi Bazook Syria.

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More from Long War Journal and extracted from same regarding the Battle of Khan Touman. Among the proxy forces supporting the regime of the despot Assad are those combat elements comprised of Afghan Hazari. Afghan of the Shia faith.

"IRGC, allies sustained significant losses in battle for Khan Touman"

Footage on social media shows a large number of Afghans and Iranians, and possibly some Hezbollah fighters, among the dead. An alleged text message exchange among trapped Afghans in Khan Touman has since gone viral, particularly for its ominous ending: 'God willing we will be martyred, not captured.'”

"Other footage of prisoners shows two Afghan Fatemiyoun Division members" Afghans in Syria? Afghans in Syria?

"The Fatemiyoun Division primarily recruits from the approximately 3 million Afghan refugees in Iran, as well as the approximately 2 thousand Afghan refugees already residing in Sayyidah Zaynab, Syria. The recruits are typically Shia Hazaras. They are promised Iranian citizenship and salaries of $500 per month in return for fighting. Many are illegal immigrants or criminals who choose recruitment over imprisonment or deportation"

The bashi bazooks in the ancient and venerable practice quasi-military units comprised predominantly of criminal elements and prisoners released from prison and compelled to go to war. That use of bashi bazook common during the Ottoman era and even seen recently in the Sudan.

Such persons rarely if ever make good soldiers. Merely continue their criminal behavior  A constant source of problem hardly made better by being placed under military discipline.

coolbert.

Pea Ridge.

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"me fights mit Sigel!"

The Battle of Pea Ridge from that era of the American Civil War,.

Union victory against the odds and critical to that combat as fought during the war WEST OF THE MISSISSIPI RIVER.

Union victory in large measure to the presence of ethnic Germans best described as "Forty-Eighters".

"The Battle of Pea Ridge (also known as the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern) was a battle of the American Civil War. It was fought from March 6–8, 1862 . . . at Pea Ridge in northwest Arkansas, near Leetown. . . . This battle, one of the few in which a Confederate army outnumbered its opponent, essentially established Federal control of Missouri and northern Arkansas for the rest of the war."

Union regiments comprised of native German speakers, naturalized citizen and those legal residents, commands given intra-regimental in the German language. German immigrants to the United States having political beliefs definitely socialist. In some cases many of the "Germans" adherents to the political and economic philosophies of Karl Marx.

Franz Sigel commanding.

"Over half of the Union soldiers were German immigrants, grouped into the 1st and 2nd Divisions, which were under the command of Brig. Gen. Franz Sigel, himself a German immigrant."

German units among the Federal forces many of those ethnic Germans having some sort of military training or experience. Their performance however on the American battlefield not so markedly better than other American units [Union and Confederate both].

That entire aspect of German native speakers serving in the Federal Army during the American Civil War well worthy of a PhD dissertation.

coolbert.

EgyptAir.

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Regarding the EgyptAir flight MS804 as seen at the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter.

"EgyptAir flight blown up by ISIS time bomb"

19 May.

" EgyptAir flight MS804, which took off at 11:09 p.m. on Thursday May 19 from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, was supposed to land at 3:55 a.m. in Cairo. However, it dropped off the radar screens of Greek and Egyptian flight controllers at 2:45 a.m. and crashed into the Mediterranean about 10 miles inside Egypt's territorial waters. DEBKAfile's counterterrorism sources say that if the plane was downed by an act of terror, it would be the latest major blow by ISIS to international civilian aviation, Egyptian tourism, and the security, counterterror and intelligence services of France and Egypt."

DEBKA file as is often the case their headlines most adamant and shrill, even alarmist. The noted blogger Spengler rates DEBKA as totally unreliable under even the most favorable of circumstances. I do not necessarily concur. At least for the Israel the cause of this disaster already a done-deal, mystery solved?

The aim and goal of whoever bombed the EgyptAir flight to disrupt tourism. And important source of revenue to the Egyptian economy in peril.

coolbert.

Liaison.

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Yet more from the latest edition of the DEBKA newsletter as extracted with commentary.

"PM thanks NATO chief for offer to open liaison office at headquarters"

18 May.

"Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu called NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday morning and thanked him for inviting Israel to open a liaison office at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels. Netanyahu told him Israel accepts the offer, and invited the NATO chief to visit Jerusalem."

This particular liaison office not ad hoc but permanent. Israel FOR DECADES AN OBSERVER AND PARTICIPANT AT YEARLY NATO CONFERENCES THE SUBJECT OF WHICH WAS THE SOVIET THREAT. Israel as a major [?] contributor their experience and expertise thought to be essential to a full and complete understanding of Soviet military equipment, doctrine, tactics.

Presumably this office in keeping with the ever widening participation of NATO nations to include France and Belgium [not even to mention American forces] in the war against the Islamic State!

coolbert.

Khan Touman.

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Once more from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter THOSE PROXY FORCES OF IRAN AND HEZBOLLAH ENGAGED IN THE SYRIAN CIVIL DEFEATED NOTHWITHSTANDING THE WITHERING [?] RUSSIAN AERIAL OFFENSIVE IN SUPPORT?

"IRGC routed in Syria by new missile"

16 May.

"The defeat that Iran and Hizballah suffered on May 6 in a battle at the Syrian village of Khan Touman showed they cannot win the war for Syria's President Assad. The clash in the village, located southwest of Aleppo, will go down in the annals of the Syrian war as the biggest defeat suffered by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hizballah, as well as the battle that changed the face of the war."

See at the Long Wars Internet web site a much long and better description of the aftermath of Khan Touman. Missiles perhaps some sort of modern anti-tank guided-missile to blame for Iranian/Hezbollah battlefield disaster?

This Iranian/Hezbollah formation defeated by a force of al Nusra/Al Qaeda affiliated combat units. Sunni [al Nusra] and Shia [Iranian/Hezbollah] in opposition.

Russians listened to orchestral music instead of providing close-air-support?

coolbert.

Opinion.

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The saying is: "Two Jews and three opinions"!

Also from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile weekly newsletter.

"PM, Ya'alon say IDF officers free to express opinion in relevant forums" 

14 May.

"Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon issued a joint statement on Monday following their meeting in the morning. It said 'there is no disagreement, and there never was one, that the military is subordinate to the political leadership and that officers are free to express their views in relevant forums.' The statement also said that Netanyahu and Ya'alon 'had resolved the matter.' . . . The position in the statement was different from the one expressed by Ya'alon at the Defense Ministry just one day earlier."

SERVING ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVE AMERICAN MILITARY OFFICERS OR EVEN ENLISTED PERSONNEL PARTICIPATING IN INTERNET FORUMS [THESE ARE INTERNET FORUMS WE ARE SPEAKING ABOUT] IN A CRITICAL MANNER OF COMMAND AUTHORITY CIVILIAN OR MILITARY USUALLY A VIOLATION OF LAW [UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE].

It is not that you cannot say what you want to say, it just not be critical AND make public for the whole world to see!

coolbert.



 

EU 2nd.

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Both the spirit is lacking and the flesh is weak??

"Conflict analyst: EU would have ‘second most powerful military on Earth’"

"The EU would have 'the second most powerful military' in the world if its members pooled its resources, insisted the co-director of the Institute of Studies on Conflict and Humanitarian Action in an interview with EurActiv Spain. 'If we added the capabilities we have in the EU together, we would automatically become the second most powerful military force on Earth and the reason we aren’t is because there is no political will. This is because each national government would rather be the head of a mouse rather than the tail of a lion,'” - - Jesús Núñez, a conflict analyst.

THOSE EUROPEAN NATION INTEGRAL MEMBERS OF NATO ALREADY PART OF A FORMIDABLE MILITARY FORCE!

The EU [European Union] from time to time broaching the subject of a Euro Corps. The combined military forces of the various EU nations acting in concert sans American [or Canadian for that matter] participation. But nothing ever seems to come of that concept, at least to my knowledge.

According the military historian and analyst Martin van Creveld the Israeli military at the present time probably the second most powerful military in the world!!

The EU has a long way to go, don't they?

coolbert.

Sir Richard.

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General Sir Richard Shirreff has spoken and done so in an unspoken manner!!

"Britain has become 'semi-pacifist' under Cameron, says retired general as he warns of war…[tr]"

"David Cameron has made Britain a 'semi-pacifist' nation more interested in protecting 'welfare and benefits' than adequate defenses, one of the country’s most senior retired generals has warned."

"General Sir Richard Shirreff, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, said the UK had 'shrunk in to itself' and carries an 'increasingly impotent stick'”.

"He said the country now risked losing its post-Falklands global reputation for military might. …"

Normally words and opinion of this nature from an ACTIVE DUTY SERVING OFFICER AT LEAST IN THE UNITED STATES WOULD BE INSTANTANEOUS GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL.

General Sir Richard is retired so he can afford to be outspoken

NOT only David Cameron responsible for the British no longer being a major world power.

The English ever SINCE THE END OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR SLOWLY BUT SURELY DOWNSIZING THEIR MILITARY.

Recognize also the British military from top to bottom very competent and able to with regard to manpower, training and ability. ARGUABLY THE FINEST FORCE IN THE WORLD FOR ITS SIZE ALL BRANCHES!!

coolbert.

Jutland WW1.

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As it was 100 years ago during the Great War as seen at Freeper:

"Did the Battle of Jutland Really Matter?"

"A century ago, the two greatest fleets of the industrial age fought an inconclusive battle in the North Sea. The British Grand Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet fielded a total of fifty-eight dreadnought battleships and battle cruisers, ships over the twice the size of most modern surface combatants. Including smaller ships, the battle included 250 vessels in total."

"The battle was fought from 31 May to 1 June 1916 in the North Sea, near the coast of Denmark's Jutland Peninsula. It was the largest naval battle and the only full-scale clash of battleships in the war."

John Jellicoe the overall commander of the Grand Fleet seen as a man vacillating, indecisive, TIMID!

Timid that word within the military context pejorative and understood as meaning non-aggressive, non-assertive. Not necessarily cowardly but not bold!

MORE IMPORTANTLY THE DEVOTED READER TO THE BLOG MUST GRASP THAT JELLICOE UNDER UNFAVORABLE LIGHT CONDITIONS WHILE THE BATTLE WAS RAGING  HAD A WHOLE THIRTY-SECONDS TO DECIDE HIS NEXT COURSE OF ACTION!! WITHDRAW SAFELY FROM THE SCENE OF THE ACTION OF PRESS THE ATTACK HOME!!

When the fate of the nation is in the balance prudence and caution is a virtue?

ONLY a decade or so later the Admiralty staff concluded during a MAPEX war simulation that Jellico had made the right decision. Jellico at the time described as the one person WHO COULD WIN OR LOSE THE WAR IN ONE DAY MORE SO PRUDENT THAN RASH! Measured audacity is a virtue in the military sense but that day and at that exact moment caution more suitable.

coolbert.

Arduous.

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From the collected works of the Soviet defector Victor Suvorov [Vladimir Rezun] a quick and dirty description of the "arduous" task of merely loading ammunition into a main battle tank. An effort not for the weak or faint of hear. Germane also to the previous blog entry:

 "The life of an office-cadet at tank school is exceptionally arduous. Anyone who experienced, if only once, what it means to load forty-three projectiles into a tank, to change a tank-track (which weighs one and one half tons) or just to sit for three hours behind the controls a T-55 [Soviet era Cold War Era tank], will understand to the full what it is really like to spend four years at a tank training school."

"At the same time the fighting vehicles had to have their ammunition replenished. Each tank shell weighs 30 kilograms [66 pounds]. Hundreds of them were brought up, two shells in a box. Each box had to taken off its transport, the shells taken out and the packing removed from each one. Then each one had to be cleaned, the factory's protective grease removed, and the shell placed in the tank. Cartridges [12.7 mm Dushka heavy machine-gun I believe?] also came in boxes, 880 to a box [100 pounds per box], and they had to be loaded into belts. In each machine-gun belt there were 250 rounds. The belts had to b e loaded into their magazines, and thirteen of them in every tank."

Regarding the biography of Suvorov as a child of eleven years entering the "Suvorov military cadet school" and for seven subsequent years educated to be an officer [a tank qualified commander] and if possible an ardent supporter and advocate of the Soviet communist system.

Let me reiterate. We are speaking in the context of merely loading ammunition onto a main battle tank. NOTHING more regarding maintenance, fueling, operating the tank in the field and/or emerging alive and victorious in combat!!

coolbert.

Armor Officer.

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NO WHERE else have I seen this covered in the main stream media.

Thanks to the tip from isegoria.net.

"Diversity is Our Vibrancy"

"Friday was a red-letter day for both of the motivating principles of the modern United States as the Army announced, in a Friday data dump, that they were commissioning 22 women as Infantry and Armor officers. A large percentage of them are West Pointers; a few are ROTC scholarship foundlings."

"They have not yet passed any of the requirements . . . Of the 22 greatest 2nd lieutenants ever, 13 will bring their light to the dank of the tank, as operated by the Armor Branch; and nine will be the only officers that ever mattered in the previously unfashionable Infantry Branch."

"HAVE NOT YET PASSED ANY OF THE REQUIREMENTS" AS MEANING BASIC BRANCH QUALIFICATION AS A COMPANY LEVEL OFFICER [RANK OF CAPTAIN OR LESS]!

Women previously having been commissioned in the Army Aviation and Air Defense branches and branch qualified. This I can understand. probably too performing "yeoman" service in a combat capacity and this is intuitive [see Tammie Duckworth in this regard].

But armor and infantry I do have my doubts. Good luck with your new career ladies and Academy graduates in particular. I do wish you luck. You might very well need it.

coolbert.

M-60 III.

This is coolbert:

M60 conclusion!

Extracts from the wiki with my comment regarding the purported advantages of the American M60 tank vis-a-vis the much more modern and combat tested M1 Abrams.

"While overall a less advanced tank than the M1 Abrams, the M60A3 did have some advantages over some M1 models"

* "The M60A3 TTS had a better thermal imaging system than that of M1 tanks up into the 21st century, when many M1s were upgraded with newer 2nd generation systems."

VARIANTS OF THE M60 ALSO USED TO POSSESS A XENON SEARCH LIGHT COAX MOUNTED WITH THE MAIN GUN. GAVE OFF WHITE LIGHT AND ALSO INFRA-RED. WHERE EVER THE SEARCHLIGHT POINTED IS WHERE THE ROUND FROM THE MAIN GUN WOULD HIT!

* "The M60A3 had an exterior phone for infantry to talk directly to the crew inside, though this feature was removed from most M60A3s in its later life. This feature was also installed on some M1 tanks with the TUSK upgrade kit."

* "The M60A3's diesel engine had lower overall performance, but also it had lower cost, required less maintenance, and had better fuel efficiency."

* The exhaust temperature of an M1's turbine is very high, which makes it dangerous for infantry to take cover behind it. This was and is not the case with the diesel engine on the M60.

* "The escape hatch located under the hull of the M60A3 is not present on the M1 Abrams, making it more difficult for the crew to escape a battle-damaged Abrams or evacuate casualties than from an M60A3."

* "The M60 series' M68A1 105 mm main gun fires a much wider variety of ammunition than the 120 mm smoothbore on the M1A1 series, because doctrine only required APFSDS and HEAT."

NO HIGH-EXPLOSIVE PLASTIC, NO HIGH-EXPLOSIVE FRAGMENTATION AND NO FLECHETTE! THE MOST CURRENT RUSSIAN TANKS ALSO ABLE TO FIRE FROM THE MAIN GUN AN ANTI-TANK GUIDED MISSILE!

* "The M60 series has instrumentation that allows indirect fire as ad-hoc artillery if needed by virtue of having a M28A1/M28E1 azimuth indicator and M13A3 quadrant elevation on board."

THIS WAS A POPULAR TECHNIQUE USED WIDELY DURING THE KOREAN WAR. TANKS DRIVING UP UNTO A PRE-CONSTRUCTED WEDGE-SHAPED FIRING RAMP ABLE TO ELEVATE THE MAIN GUN BEYOND HORIZONTAL AND EMPLOY FIRE [HE-FRAG?] IN AN INDIRECT MANNER RECEIVING TARGETING DATA AS WOULD ANY ARTILLERY PIECE!

Recall in all instances the M60 as fielded based on an original design from 1948!!

M60 forever I suppose!!

coolbert.

M-60 II.

This is coolbert:

Do not think it is merely the Israeli that can take an existing and somewhat dated and old-fashioned American M60 tank and create an almost brand-new version more capable.

Raytheon can do it too! This is SLEP! [Service Life Extension Program]

"Raytheon Can Turn Old American-Made M60A3 Tanks Into Killing Machines"

"Raytheon is pitching a new upgrade for the venerable M60A3 Patton main battle tank that would turn the elderly design into a competitive force on the modern battlefield—all at a fraction of the cost of a new vehicle"

. . .

"At the core of the upgrade is a new 950-horsepower diesel engine—which replaces the original 750-horsepower unit. As part of the deal, the engine would be reconditioned to a zero hour condition. Meanwhile, the old turret hydraulic controls would be replaced with new electrical systems, which are faster, more responsive and quieter than their predecessors."

"Offensive firepower is exponentially improved by swapping out the old 105mm M68 rifled gun in favor of the Abrams’ German-made L44 120mm smoothbore cannon."

. . .

"That’s because in addition to the new cannon, the M60 would receive completely new digital fire-control and targeting systems—including day and thermal sights."

". . . While Raytheon does not specifically mention networking—it’s reasonable to assume the modernized tank would be compatible with the U.S. Army’s networks."

"Indeed, there are a few visible improvements [to the armor of the vehicle]—such as the addition of side skirts. The configuration shown in the video does not seem to feature reactive armor—but it is fitted with slat armor . . . reactive armor could likely be added as needed. In the future . . . more advanced features like an active protection system— [might be added]".

"In addition to much improved performance, Raytheon claims that one major side benefit of the SLEP is that training and maintenance cost would be lower than for new tank because crews are already familiar with the basic M60."

Networking that ability of a tank commander at what echelon of command [platoon, company, battalion, brigade, division] able to determine almost instantly and with almost 100 % reliability how much ammo, how much fuel, the exact location of every armor vehicle at his disposal.

coolbert.

M-60 I.

This is coolbert:

More correctly the M-60T.and from the headline as seen at Strategy Page:

"Armor: M-60T Survives Russian ATGM"

"May 5, 2016: In April 2016 a Turkish M-60T tank was hit by a Russian made Kornet ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missiles) and was not destroyed."

THE M-60T BETTER REFERRED TO AS SABRA! American  M-60 tank in the Turkish inventory and as struck by a Russian anti-tank guided-missile [ATGM], emerging relatively unscathed!!

"The Turks described the damage to the M-60T as slight and repairable. The Turks have been using the M-60Ts for over a decade and have been quite satisfied with them. In March 2002 Turkey signed a $668 million deal to have an Israeli firm upgrade 170 American made M-60A1 tanks to the M-60T standard. This involved replacing the existing 105mm gun with a 120mm one. The fire-control system was upgraded and as was the frontal armor with the addition of both active ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor) and passive (composite) armor. Electronics in general were upgraded and engines were overhauled."

We have to make this all abundantly clear to all devoted readers of the blog that have a minimum of  a four-year baccalaureate degree or less.

A U.S. M-60 tank extensively modified and refurbished by the Israeli for the Turk and even many decades after being taken into the American inventory. Sixty as in M-60 stands for 1960!!

Furthermore the M-60 more or less an upgraded and improve version of the American M-48 "Patton" tank. Forty-eight standing for 1948!! Are we all on the same page here?

"The M60 Patton is a main battle tank (MBT)[5] introduced in December 1960 . . .  Although developed from the M48 Patton, the M60 series was never officially classified as a Patton tank, but as a 'product-improved descendant' of the Patton series."

It should be noted that the Israeli ordnance is exceptional at this sort of thing. Modifying and refurbishing an existing weapons system and in the process creating a much more formidable machine of whatever type.

coolbert.

Wonky!

This is coolbert:

From Freeper  understand fully well that IT IS NOT AMERICAN SUBMARINES ALONE THAT SUFFER FROM SLIPSHOD FAULTY WELDING OF PIPING!

"Wonky welds keep West Coast submarines stuck in port (Canada)"

"More bad news for Canada's problem-plagued submarine fleet: two of the boats will be out of commission for most of this year because of shoddy welding."

"HMCS Chicoutimi and its sister, HMCS Victoria, are stuck in their Vancouver Island port for months because several hundred welds can't be trusted to hold tight when the boats dive. "

. . . .

"Weld problems on HMCS Chicoutimi are costing the navy about eight months' downtime, with the submarine returning to sea only in the autumn. Beginning in February this year, technicians had to inspect 344 suspect welds on the boat and found at least 30 needed re-welding, often in tight spaces where work is difficult."

It can also be surmised that these used boats as purchased from the English Royal Navy were defective to begin with!!

Upholder/Victoria class submarine [Chicoutimi] ON THE FIRST VOYAGE ACROSS THE ATLANTIC UNABLE TO PROCEED ONLY A FEW MILES FROM PORT BEFORE HAVING TO RETURN!!

"HMCS Chicoutimi is a Victoria-class long-range hunter-killer (SSK) submarine of the Royal Canadian Navy, originally built and operated by the Royal Navy as HMS Upholder. Shortly after being handed over by the United Kingdom to Canada she was involved in a partial flooding incident which resulted in a fire at sea. The incident sparked a fierce debate over the value of the purchase of this group of second-hand vessels, as well as the handover inspection process."

HMCS Victoria, the "sister-ship" of the Chicoutimi also encountering problems and having to much excessive "downtime", not on patrol.

"Between 2000 and 2010, Victoria had only been at sea for 115 days;  and was expected to re-enter service in mid-2011, after six years in drydock."

Lemons!!

coolbert.

50K Englishmen.

This is coolbert:

As seen at Freeper originally from the Daily Mail as you might gather this headline catches my attention right away:

"50k British troops, including those serving their country abroad, set to miss out on voting Brexit"

British exit from the European Union!! Troops of England serving at home and abroad not registered to vote?
• "EU referendum. 50,000 British troops, including those serving their country abroad, set to miss out on voting":

"Tens of thousands of soldiers will miss out on the 'once in a generation' referendum on Britain’s EU membership because they are not registered to vote, it has emerged."

"One in four military staff either are not signed up or do not know their current status, according to the most recent annual survey of the forces. [...] "

"Former leading generals have criticised the Ministry of Defence [MOD] for failing to put 'significant effort' into making sure troops are signed up ahead of the June 23 referendum."

During that period leading up to the Second World War by Gentleman's Agreement American career serving military officers not registered to vote or not voting even if registered!!

"Once in a generation" too much to miss!!

coolbert.

BMD-3

This is coolbert:

Again, until only recently did I become aware of this Russian infantry fighting vehicle [IFV].

BMD. Russian. Parachute unit IFV!

"The BMD-3 . . . is an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) originating from the former Soviet Union. This armored fighting vehicle is one of the lightest in its class and is intended to be a fire support platform for use by airborne and air assault units. The primary armament is a 30 mm 2A42 autocannon capable of firing different types of ammunition which include high-explosive and armor-piecing. The BMD-3 possesses multiple secondary weapons such as the 9M113 Konkurs missile and the AGS-17 grenade launcher to defeat a wide range of targets from enemy infantry to other armored fighting vehicles."

Let me reiterate! This is not a tank! An IFV providing organic firepower and cross-country mobility with protection for an airborne fire-team [of four men]! Is also air-droppable [??] or is at least air-transportable.

As with the BMP-3 also equipped with the Soviet/Russian 30 mm automatic grenade launcher which can be dismounted if necessary. Formidable!

AGS-17 30 mm automatic grenade launcher.

BMD-3 if air-droppable requiring a multiplicity of parachutes and retro-rockets firing to cushion the impact on landing? Probably more air-transportable than droppable!! But I just don't know!

coolbert.

BMP-3.

This is coolbert:

The BMP-1 I have heard of. The BMP-2 also I have heard of. But the BMP-3 until just recently I had never heard of.

BMP-3. Russian.

Russian BMP-3 IFV. This is not a tank!

"The BMP-3 is a Soviet amphibious infantry fighting vehicle, successor to the BMP-1 and BMP-2."

Organic firepower of this infantry fighting vehicle [IFV] very impressive. That is a 100 mm gun up-front with a coax mounted 30 mm autocannon. Also has an ability to fire an anti-tank guided-missile from that 100 mm gun! Carries an infantry fire team who when dismounti8ng can employ a 30 mm automatic grenade launcher!! What else?

Close-up of the BMP-3 turret showing the 100 mm gun with coax mounted 30 mm autocannon. That 100 mm gun I had originally thought might be firing the same rounds as the old-style Soviet era T-12 anti-tank gun but this does not seem to be so.

ONE CANNOT FAIL TO BE IMPRESSED WITH THE BMP-3! BRADLEY HAS BEEN LEFT BEHIND IN THE DUST!!

coolbert.

IFV.

This is coolbert:

Infantry fighting vehicles [IFV] worldwide!! All the rage and superior perhaps to the American Bradley!!

1. "South Korea’s Armored Fighting Vehicle Is Like America’s Bradley — But Better"

"The K21 might be the best IFV in the world"

"In many respects, the K21 is similar to modern NATO fighting vehicles like the Bradley, Warrior and the CV90. It has a three-man crew, an autocannon, tracks, anti-tank missiles and compliments for a modified squad of troopers in the rear."

"It’s arguably one of the best in the world"

"A replacement for the South Korean K200 series infantry fighting vehicles . . . is currently called the K21 . . .  It is designed to effectively defeat other IFVs as heavily armed and armored as the BMP-3." 

South Korean K21 IFV. This is not a tank!

2. Combat Vehicle 90. Swedish.

CV90 Swedish IFV. This is not a tank!

"The Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90)) is a family of Swedish tracked combat vehicles . . . The Swedish version of the main infantry fighting vehicle is fitted with a turret from Bofors that is equipped with a 40 mm autocannon, although export versions use 30 mm and 35 mm autocannons . . .  carrying and supporting eight (later versions were reduced to six) fully equipped soldiers."

IFV providing close-country mobility with limited armor protection for the mounted infantry. Heavy infantry this is called, normally troops when dismounted [a fire-team] firing a variety of weapons to include a light machine-gun, grenade launchers and assault rifles!!.

Remember, these are not tanks but under certain conditions have enough organic firepower to defeat almost enemy armor vehicle!! AND BETTER THAN BRADLEY!

coolbert.

Missile Shield.

This is coolbert:

 

From MARCONI through Harry at Sharkhunters more or less copied in entirety.

 

Hot Intel Flash!

 

More ominous and dire warnings from Russian

 

"Vladimir Putin has said Russia is considering 'putting an end" to the 'emerging threat' to its security from NATO's missile defense shield. The Russian president dismissed US claims that the shield is not aimed against Russia and is instead designed to stop a missile threat from Iran."

     "Some of the missiles are already carried on ships in the Mediterranean, and others are based in Romania.  Mr Putin said he viewed the development as a threat to global security. Without offering details, he said Russia must take steps to strategically keep up with the West."

"'Now that these anti-missile elements have been installed we will be forced to consider putting an end to the threats emerging in relation to Russia's security,' AFP reported Mr Putin as saying.  Russia 'will do everything needed to ensure and preserve the strategic balance, which is the most reliable guarantee from large-scale military conflicts', he added."

"NATO's missile defense system was first proposed in 2002 but it has taken several years to get off the ground.  U.S. Navy Tests Missiles In 2009, the Obama administration said it would be deploying the sea-based Aegis weapon system on ships patrolling waters to stop any Iranian missiles.

   "The system became fully operational in 2012 when a radar system in Turkey was brought under NATO command.  The second stage went live on Thursday when an $800m US missile defense site in Deveselu, Romania, became operational.

"CBS reported that Romania's President Klaus Iohannis said his country wanted NATO to have a 'permanent naval presence' in the Black Sea and called for increased security for NATO members in the south and east, which border Russia and the Middle East.

   "Construction of another missile site in Redzikowo, Poland, was due to get under way on Friday and NATO is also planning to set up command and control centers in Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria by the end of 2016."

THE BALTIC NATIONS TO BECOME AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE MISSILE SHIELD I MIGHT THINK PARTICULARLY GRATING TO THE RUSSIAN.

ALSO ONLY THOSE NATIONS HAVING A SEACOAST BORDERING THE BLACK SEA ALLOWED A PERMANENT NAVAL PRESENCE. ALL OTHERS MAY DEPLOY NAVAL CONTINGENTS IN BLACK SEA WATERS BUT ONLY FOR TWENTY-ONE DAYS AT A MAXIMUM!

coolbert.

 

Al Sieber.

This is coolbert:

"When I met Al Sieber, he carried twenty major knife, lance, arrow and gunshot wounds in his body. When he quit the service ten years later, he had garnered another eight serious scars. Also at that time of discharge or separation, he carried fifty three knife cuts on the butts and stocks of his various guns. He said that twenty eight of these represented those Apaches who had left their marks on him." - -  (Tom Horn)

Al Sieber. German-American best described as a military man/scout on numerous occasions displaying the highest order of courage. Also a man categorized to a degree as a "Forty-Eighter"!!

"Albert 'Al' Sieber was born in Mingolsheim, Baden as the 13th of 14 children. He was baptized on March 1, 1843 in St. Lambertus Church, Mingolsheim. His father Johannes died on September 16, 1845. Between March and April 1851, three years after the 'Badian Revolution', his mother Eva Katharina née Fischer, immigrated with her still living eight children (six had already died) to Lancaster, Pennsylvania."

An enlistee during the American Civil War. Participated in those battles of the most dangerous, difficult and downright murderous possible!

"He enlisted on March 4, 1862, in Company B, 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry during the American Civil War. Sieber was severely wounded on July 2, 1863 in the Battle of Gettysburg, at Cemetery Ridge. He fought in several key engagements, including Battle of Antietam, Battle of Fredericksburg, Battle of Chancellorsville, Battle of Gettysburg, Apache Wars, Battle of Cibecue Creek, and Battle of Big Dry Wash. In 1887"

"In July 1871, General George Stoneman hired Sieber as Chief of Scouts and for much of the Apache Wars."

Al Sieber during his career as a military man/scout wounded repeatedly! Twenty-eights wounds on his body from all engagements combined!!

"Sieber was shot and wounded when Apache Kid and his followers escaped the reservation to prevent being jailed again. During his various battles and fights, Al received 28 wounds."

Al Sieber wounded many times and yet returning to the fray. Al in the same category as a:

* Hyazinth von Strachwitz.

* Oscar Dirlewanger.

* Bernard Freyberg.

* Robert Frederick.

* Adrian Carton de Wiart

Military personnel of high rank [or status] repeatedly wounded not abandoning their duty no matter what. This entry too totally devoid of any moral or ethical judgments regarding Oscar Dirlewanger.

coolbert.,

Game Warden.

This is coolbert:

Texas game wardens bag some illegal wildlife?

Quasi-military police agencies in the United States prepared as best possible for the weapons of mass destruction threat [WMD].

"Nuke threat on southern border? Texas game wardens issued radiation detectors"

THE RADIOLOGICAL THREAT. THE "DIRTY BOMB"!

"As if the U.S. isn’t facing enough threats from its southern borders, Americans can be concerned with yet another: terrorism in the form of nuclear weapons [radiological weapon]."

"The potential for smuggling in nuclear or radioactive weapons of mass destruction has been suggested for a long time, and now the Long Star state is taking the threat more seriously."

"Texas game wardens don’t just cover land issues such as poaching, wildlife management or even illegal chemical dumping. They’re also on the water, monitoring for fishing violations – and now, terrorism."

. . . .

"Houston Public Media reports game wardens began training with the radiation detectors in January and completed a mock exercise to find radioactive packages along the coast."

"Nuclear threats from terrorists have been causing greater concern since the Paris and Brussels attacks. President Obama, among other world leaders, faces the chilling prospect of rogue Islamic State terrorists unleashing a nuclear attack [radiological weapon] on a major Western city"

See recent possible WMD threats as perhaps associated with the Islamic State:

http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2016/04/dirty.html

http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2016/04/armageddon-isil.html

http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2016/04/gwot-wmd.html

That connection between the drug cartels, terrorists and human smugglers much more extensive than we might like to believe? I hope Homeland Security is on top of this. The state of Texas too by sovereign right exercising a function normally associated only with the federal government. Texas just cannot wait for Homeland Security to take action when action NOW is mandated.

Don't mess with Texas either!

coolbert.

AQAP.

This is coolbert:

Unlawful enemy combatants!

By their own pronouncements the jihadi of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula [AQAP] place themselves outside of all normal legal protections. All means fair and foul can be used to combat the evil doers.

As extracted from Freeper:

"Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has just published its latest issue of Inspire magazine."

"It contains some items of particular interest and concern to Westerners"

• "AQAP is now advising Muslims in the West to target people in their homes."

• "They suggest using technology to plan home assassinations, such as Google Earth, small drones and cameras."

• "The magazine contains new detailed instructions on new types of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) inside of books, attached to automobiles with magnets and attached to doors in homes."

• "AQAP calls on “Knife Revolutionaries” to conduct knife attacks specifically on Americans, such as been happening in Israel over the past year or so."

AQAP UNLAWFUL ENEMY COMBATANTS. DURING A TIME OF WAR NOT CARRYING THEIR WEAPONS OPENLY. NOT WEARING A UNIFORM OR BADGE OF RANK IDENTIFIABLE AT A DISTANCE. ATTACKING IN A WANTON AND PREMEDITATED MANNER CIVILIANS.

Hostis humani generis. Common enemies of all mankind!

"Hostis humani generis (Latin for 'enemy of mankind') is a legal term of art that originates in admiralty law. Before the adoption of public international law, pirates and slavers were already held to be beyond legal protection and so could be dealt with by any nation, even one that had not been directly attacked."

"A comparison can be made between this concept and the common law 'writ of outlawry', which declared a person outside the King's law, a literal out-law, subject to the violence of anyone. The ancient Roman civil law concept of proscription, and the status of homo sacer conveyed by proscription may also be similar."

THE JIHADI AND THE TERRORISTS BEST DEFINED AS A NUISANCE? UNLESS THEY OBTAIN AND DETERMINE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION OF WHATEVER SORT.

Damned by their own very words and advocacy.

coolbert.

Strong Europe.

This is coolbert:

This is analogous to what used to be called the Canada Cup. But not exactly the same.

NATO armor units versus other NATO units in friendly competition. The tank crews of various nations demonstrating their mettle.

"Germany Claims Trophy in Strong Europe Tank Challenge"

"GRAFENWOEHR, Germany -- The German platoon took top honors in the Strong Europe Tank Challenge, a three-day competition that tested offensive and defensive operations and mounted orienteering, with Denmark and Poland placing second and third, May 13, 2016."

. . . .

"Platoons rotated throughout the three events, vying for a possible 1,000 points. Crews conducted both offensive and defensive operations involving fire and maneuver for 350 possible points in each lane."

"Mounted orienteering had a possible 300 points that was combined from six 50-point tasks, including a mystery physical challenge that emphasized teamwork. Platoons navigated through an obstacle course with 13 challenges. Soldiers fired 10 rounds from three different locations using their own service weapons during the combat pistol shoot lane. The vehicle identification lane tested the platoons' abilities to identify 25 friendly and threatening vehicles while traversing through a course. Crews had to recover, hook up and tow vehicles while under a simulated chemical attack. Finally, multinational teams reacted to an improvised explosive device, assessed and treated a casualty, and requested a medical evacuation [Medevac].."

"This was the first multinational tank challenge that took place here since 1991"

AMERICAN TANK CREWS NOT DOING SO GOOD! NOT FINISHING EVEN IN THE TOP THREE COMPETITORS.

FOR SHAME! TRAINING AND WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE. A MAJOR BLEMISH MUST BE EXPUNGED!! DAMNIT!!

coolbert.

.276 T3E2.

This is coolbert:

As seen at the outstanding Internet web site isegoria.net and as extracted from same:

"The .276 Garand That Almost Was"

"Ian of Forgotten Weapons shows off the .276 Garand that almost was, the T3E2:"

"By 1932, the competition for the new US semiautomatic service rifle had been narrowed down to just two designs: John Pedersen’s delayed blowback toggle action and John Garand’s gas-operated action. Both rifles were chambered for Pedersen’s .276 caliber cartridge, and used 10-round en bloc clips. Twenty samples of each were made and sent out to infantry and cavalry units for field testing."


". . . The results of the trial was a preference for the Garand rifle, and the testing board got as far as writing a formal recommendation for its adoption before General MacArthur vetoed the whole .276 caliber idea for economic and logistical reasons (the US Army had a whole lot of .30-06 ammo and not a lot of spare cash). The result was ultimately a .30 caliber Garand rifle becoming the M1"

THE UNITED STATES ARMY INFANTRY DURING BOTH WW2 AND KOREA FOUGHT USING SMALL ARMS FIRING THAT THIRTY CALIBER ROUND IN TOTALITY!

That Garand rifle, the BAR [Browning Automatic Rifle] and the M1919 light machine-gun all having a commonality of ammunition, interchangeable!

THERE IS GREAT MERIT TO THIS AND IS NOT MERELY A COST SAVING MEASURE?

In this regard Mac Arthur cannot be faulted?

coolbert.

CAS Colombia.

This is coolbert:

COIN [counter-insurgency] warplanes not authorized in the fight against criminal gangs.

As seen at Voice of America thanks to the tip from Jungle Trader:

"Colombia to Use Air Bombing Raids Against Crime Gangs"

"BOGOTA— Colombia's armed forces will launch air raids on crime gangs involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining, the defense minister said Friday, as the government steps up its offensive against what it considers the biggest threat to national security."

"President Juan Manuel Santos authorized bombing raids on the gangs, which formed after a 2006 peace accord with right-wing paramilitary fighters failed to absorb many into society. There are about 3,000 members spread across three groups earning millions of dollars from illegal drugs and mining."

Before this there was FARC! NOW the scourge of last-scale criminality by outlaw gangs.

MILITARY FORCE AUTHORIZED IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE CRIMINAL GANGS TO INCLUDE AERIAL ASSETS, CLOSE-AIR-SUPPORT.

Colombia having at their disposal a range of COIN warplanes to include

* A-37.
* Israeli Kfir.
* Super Tucano.
* AC-47.

That latter from FIFTY YEARS ago known as "Puff the Magic Dragon".

It is worth noting that David Hackworth some time ago declaring the street gang the greatest internal security threat to the United States.

STREET GANGS HAVING THAT COMBINATION 0F NUMBERS, ORGANIZATION, WEAPONS, MONEY. ALSO RUTHLESSNESS!

NO use of military force to combat the American street gang. Colombia si, U.S. no! At least not yet.

coolbert.

Crop Duster.

This is coolbert:

From the outstanding Internet web site isegoria.net we have an extract regarding the combat crop duster warplane.

A pet project [?] of the famous/infamous [depending on your perspective] Erik Prince of Blackwater!

The combat crop duster as employed in the close-air-support [CAS] role during counter-insurgency [COIN] operations.

"Erik Prince’s Fighting Crop Duster"

"The Embraer Super Tucano is a a low-tech alternative to the usual high-tech Air Force jet, but Blackwater-founder Erik Prince is pushing an even lower-tech alternative, a fighting crop duster, the Thrush 510G"

. . . .

"To be sure, the Thrush is far from fast, or sexy. All-in-all it’s basically a flying tractor … that is easy to work on and can land anywhere. It’s cheaper, simpler, requires less training to fly and maintain, needs fewer consumable parts and has a significantly smaller logistics requirement than the Super Tucano"

LITERALLY ALMOST SO A FLYING TRACTOR. A CROP DUSTER THE FLY-ABILITY OF WHICH UNQUESTIONED! THAT COMPARISON BETWEEN THE SUPER TUCANO AND THRUSH MOST INTERESTING.

"Smaller logistic requirements to include but not limited to:

* NO extensive and delicate ejection seat maintenance involving highly trained personnel.

* NO pressurized gaskets subject to wear and tear under certain adverse conditions.

"In a head-to-head comparison, the Super Tucano is a far better CAS platform, but Prince was not going for a 'better' platform."

THRUSH AN ADEQUATE PLATFORM FOR CAS AND COIN AND MORE COST EFFICIENT!!

See previous blog entries regarding the Super Tucano and the combat crop duster:

http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/12/super-tucano_22.html

http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/12/tucano-cockpit.html

http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/04/at-802.html

http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/10/at-802-jordan.html

Devoted readers to the blog will instantly realize with 100 % metaphysical certitude they are already far along on the learning curve regarding CAS in the COIIN environment and are so much the better for it too!

coolbert.

CinC.

This is coolbert:

Hot Intel flash entry # 2. Admiral Chirkov.

Also from Harry at "Sharkhunters":

"NEW RUSSIAN CinC - . . . Western media seems obliviously to the fact, it is widely known in Russia that their Navy CinC submitted a letter of resignation which was accepted by naval authorities . . .  the admiral's desire to resign from the service is due to his deteriorating health.  He underwent surgery for an unknown cause and spent some time in hospital"

    "Admiral Chirkov was born in Alma Ata in Kazakhstan on 8 September 1959.   On 6 May 2012 he replaced Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky as CinC of the Russian.  He moved up from his previous posting as Commander of the Baltic Sea Fleet.  Prior to that, he had commanded two destroyers in the Pacific Fleet so he is a 'skimmer' sailor, not a submariner.  Admiral Vladimir Korolev, Commander of the Northern Fleet, is acting CinC until a permanent successor is determined and at this point, it appears it will be Korolev.  Korolev, a submarine officer, earlier was Commander of the Black Sea Fleet until moving up to command the Northern Fleet."

   "Vice Admiral Nikolai Evmenov, currently Chief of Staff of the Northern Fleet, has been nominated to take the position as Commander of the Northern Fleet."

Thank you in both cases [#1 and #2] to Harry.

coolbert.

Missing!!

This is coolbert:

Hot Intel flash entry # 1.

From Harry at "Sharkhunters":

"MISSING SUBMARINE - According to recent information . . . we learn that a North Korean midget submarine went missing in early March.  This boat departed its base on the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula for training in the Sea of Japan.  It is one of the YONO Class submarines operated by the North Korean Navy since 1965.  The total number of these boats is unknown but about 40 of them are in reserve.  Submerged displacement is 130 tons, measures about 22 meters in length, crewed by two men but has capacity to carry about 30 Special Forces commandos."

"These small submarines are armed with 533mm torpedoes and it is thought that it was a YONO Class boat that sank the South Korean corvette CHEONAN in March of 2010.  The torpedo used in that attack was probably the North Korean made CHT-02D type torpedo armed with a proximity fuse.  The corvette was cut in half by a torpedo that apparently exploded about nine meters under the keel."

"YONO means 'Salmon' in the Korean language and the Japanese call this the SAKE Class.....it also means Salmon, not the rice wine.  The same name in Iran is KHADIR and the Iranian Navy is building these small boats under license."

coolbert.

Enlistment.

This is coolbert:

Generally speaking it is thought that the nation of Israel has universal military conscription. But this [universal conscription] does not apply to ALL CITIZENS. Universal conscription as practiced applies to only JEWS excluding for the most part Arabic speaking citizens of Israel [Arabic their primary language] and those most correctly classified as Jewish ultra-Orthodox.

To the extent that Arabic speaking citizens of Israel and the ultra-Orthodox serve in some sort of military capacity is strictly on a voluntary basis and should be understood as so!.

As seen at Freeper:

"Israel Honors Priest Who Promotes Arab Army Enlistment"

"Israel's decision to honor a controversial Greek Orthodox priest at its official Independence Day ceremony is driving a wedge in the country's tiny Christian Arab community as the government recognizes him for his efforts to encourage Christians to enlist in the Israeli military. Father Gabriel Naddaf's recruitment drive has deeply divided Israel's Christian Arabs, who make up just 2 percent of Israel's population."

Those Arabic speaking citizens of Israel comprising about twenty percent of the population. Given that Arabic speaking Christians comprise a very small segment of the Israeli citizen [1/250th] that pool of potential voluntary recruits very small indeed!!

coolbert.