Archive for February, 2009
A Canadian soldier:
On my second tour in Afghanistan in 2005, I didn’t work with U.S. forces as much as I did other NATO troops and I quickly realized that I missed the professionalism that the Americans bring to the table.
I always get the feeling that the demographic with the largest percentage of disrespect for US military personnel are US civilians. Non-US civilians probably have a better view of our troops, for the most part. Non-US military personnel (such as this Canadian) probably even more so.
As for the enemy we’re fighting these days, my guess is that the survivors have nothing but the utmost consideration for (and fear of) our fighting men and women. Why do so many Americans have such a low opinion of our uniformed personnel? (At least so many of the most vocal ones?)
Via Instapundit.
Stryker unit will be tested in Afghanistan
5th Brigade, 2nd Division (I thought they reflagged to 2nd Brigade?) is being shifted from Iraq to Afghanistan, the first time a Stryker brigade will be deployed there. The Rangers have used a few Strykers there, though I’ve heard no details about that. Also, the Canadian army has been using LAV IIIs, which the Stryker is based on, in Afghanistan for years.
The article says that both the 5th and 3rd Brigades have been splitting their training between Iraq-specific and Afghanistan-specific for some time in case this happened. The 3rd Brigade is still going to Iraq as originally planned.
UPDATE: Via the incomparable DJ Elliott comes this bit in Army Times:
No decisions have been made about which brigade might backfill the 5th SBCT for its original mission in Iraq, the [unnamed] senior Army official said.
“The reasonable assumption is we’re planning to replace them in Iraq,” he said.
The long-standing requirement of two Stryker brigades in Iraq has not changed, he said. The two SBCTs in Iraq now are the 56th SBCT from the Pennsylvania National Guard and 1st SBCT, 25th Infantry Division, of Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
“There’s going to be some significant … work associated with backfilling [5th SBCT] in Iraq,” the senior Army official said. “With this announcement there’s going to be an increased frequency in deployments for Stryker brigades.” [emphasis Murdoc's]
Pack your bags, Stryker soldiers.
Not sure what all the ground rules were. A biggie, of course, is the fact that near-hits by HE rounds would likely perforate the vehicle, shred the tires, and/or kill the driver. Also, the machine guns seem to be off limits. And, if the tank could catch the vehicle in some of that broken terrain, it could just, well, squash it.
Still, fairly interesting for a commercial television show for public consumption.
I’m looking forward to seeing what comments MO’s vast readership feels like adding.
Also, I don’t think I knew that the Challenger 2 stuck with the rifled gun.
Product Description
“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” features the original text of Jane Austen’s beloved novel with all-new scenes of bone crunching zombie action.
You people and your zombies. Enough is enough. No more, folks. Seriously.
Did I mention that Max Brooks has a new one coming out soon?
Forwarded by a reader:
Click for bigger view
Special Friday the 13th Edition.
The bare minimum amount of exercise you need to stay healthy (it’s less than you think!)
Seven minutes a week. That’s all. Just 7 minutes a week. (If by “stay healthy” you really mean “may prevent diabetes.”)
NLOS-C. US Army Image.
This comment from Ryan May at BAE Systems was stuck in moderation on the recent post about the FCS mobile artillery unit that’s close to being fielded:
The first prototypes were delivered to the Army in 2008, according to the schedule (as I understand it). Soldiers will begin using the systems this year (as stated in the Strategy Page post) and deliveries of NLOS Cannons to the Army’s Evaluation Task Force as part at Fort Bliss, Texas will begin next year.
The comment contains links to additional information. Good stuff.
Also, check out the NLOS-C video from a little while back. As I said back then, if you like things that go BOOM, you’ll like the video.
Strategy Page: The Future Gets Mugged By Reality
Congress originally demanded that NLOS-C be in service by 2008, but it appears that 4-5 years from now seems more likely. Field testing (operating as one would in combat), begins this year with the six prototypes. One problem the brass are already concerned about is the ability of the two man crew to hold up during 24/7 operations.
I didn’t realize that the timing had slipped so much. I’ve been a pretty big fan of the NLOS-C for quite a while and thought we’d be seeing some in action any day.
New Destroyer Emerges in U.S. Plans
As the DDG-1000 program continues it’s death spiral, the Navy is looking at alternative options. One of them is a proposed “Future Surface Combatant” (FSC), an option that is currently very short on details. Upgraded DDG-51s? Enlarged and evolved DDG-51s? Scaled-back DDG-1000s?
If the FCS ends up being to the DDG-1000 what the Virginia-class subs are to the Seawolfs, it might be okay.
