My deepest sympathy goes out to the families .

Sailor, Airman on Motorcycle Killed in Head-On Collision on Okinawa
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa -- A sailor and an airman were killed after a head-on collision between a motorcycle and a car Thursday night in Chatan town, Okinawa, U.S. military officials said.

The crash occurred at about 8:40 p.m. at the Ihei intersection on Highway 58 in the Mihama district, said a spokesman for the Okinawa prefectural police in Okinawa City.

A motorcycle carrying both servicemembers was traveling north when it collided with a southbound car that was making a right-hand turn, police said, citing witnesses. The motorcycle was thrown to the ground and smashed.

A 20-year-old female sailor assigned to Commander Fleet Activities Okinawa was taken to Chubu Tokushukai Hospital in Okinawa City where she was pronounced dead at 11:23 p.m., according to police and a statement released by the Air Force's 18th Wing.

A 21-year-old male airman assigned to the 18th Wing was taken to Chubu Hospital in Uruma City, where he was pronounced dead at 12:15 a.m. Friday.

Their identities are being withheld pending notification of their next of kin.

The driver of the car was a 19-year-old female airman assigned to Kadena Air Base, the police spokesman said. She was not injured.

It is not immediately clear who was driving the motorcycle at the time of the crash, the spokesman said.

The crash is under investigation, though police said neither alcohol nor unlicensed driving appear to have been involved.

 

USS Anchorage Top Officers Fired After 'Engineering Incident'
The commanding officer and executive officer of the amphibious transport dock Anchorage were relieved of their duties Tuesday in the wake of an investigation into damage the ship sustained when it returned to its San Diego homeport in March following training at sea.

Naval Surface Force Commander Vice Adm. Tom Rowden relieved Capt. Jeffrey Craig and Lt. Cmdr. Joshua Johnson, citing a "loss of confidence in their ability to effectively lead and carry out assigned duties," according to a statement provided by Naval Surface Force Pacific. Navy Times was first to report on the reliefs Tuesday night.

Rowden lost confidence in the officers after being briefed on the results of an investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding the 'engineering incident' that damaged the Anchorage, the announcement said.

A spokesman for the force, Cmdr. John Perkins, declined to provide any information about the nature of the incident or the damage sustained by the Anchorage. The San Diego Tribune reported that maintenance problems were found in the ship's propulsion system, though no damage was sustained to the ship itself.

Craig had taken command of the Anchorage in December, replacing Capt. J. J. Cummings. Johnson had been with the ship since July. Both officers have been temporarily reassigned: Craig to Naval Air Forces Pacific, and Johnson to Expeditionary Strike Group 3.

A career aviator, Craig received his wings in 1995, serving first on Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139, an EA-6B Prowler squadron. He has served as the executive officer and commanding officer of VAQ-132, leading the first operational deployment of an EA-18G Growler squadron, supporting operations in Iraq. He would later lead that squadron's first combat mission into Libya, according to his official biography.

Craig would go on to command VAQ-129. In 2014, he was assigned to the carrier Theodore Roosevelt as executive officer, completing a deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the coalition mission to destroy the Islamic State.

His awards include the Air Medal with Combat "V," Strike Flight Air Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, according to the biography.

The Anchorage is the seventh of 12 San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks, and was commissioned in May 2013. Capt. Tom Workman has been temporarily assigned as commanding officer of the ship, according to the Navy release, and Cmdr. Brian Bethea has taken over duties of executive officer. Officials plan to identify permanent reliefs for both positions in the near future.

 

We are going home soon if plans fall into place .

Army Announces Upcoming Deployments of 3,700 Soldiers
The U.S. Army on Friday announced its plans to deploy about 3,700 soldiers to Korea as well as to Iraq and Kuwait.

Some 3,500 soldiers from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, will deploy this summer to the Republic of Korea, according to an Army press release.

As part of the regular rotation of forces, the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team will replace the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division and support the United States Forces-Korea's commitment to its Republic of Korea partners, the release states.

"The Black Jack Brigade looks forward to returning to the Republic of Korea," said Col. Steve Adams, commander of 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. "Our troopers are trained and ready for this vital mission, and we are honored to sustain and strengthen this long-standing strategic alliance."

The Army will also deploy about 250 soldiers from the III Corps Headquarters stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, to Iraq and Kuwait, this summer in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Also a regular rotation of forces, III Corps will replace XVIII Airborne Corps as the headquarters of the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, the global coalition to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

"III Corps is ready for this important mission. We will build upon the success of the XVIII Airborne Corps. The Phantom Corps looks forward to maintaining the momentum of the campaign as CJTF-OIR with more than 60 coalition nations and partner organizations," said III Corps and Fort Hood Commanding General Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II.

 

I am quite pleased with my persuader but I am not Infantry and have more than enough kick to get my job done !

Retired Generals to Lawmakers: Infantrymen Need a More Powerful Rifle

Two retired Army generals recently told Congress that the Army and Marine Corps should adopt a new infantry rifle with a more powerful cartridge than the current 5.56mm ammunition used in the M4 carbine.

Retired Lt. Gen. John Bednarek and retired Maj. Gen. Robert Scales Jr. testified at a May 17 hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Airland Subcommittee.

The hearing was held to look at the U.S. military’s future small-arms requirements.

Subcommittee Chairman Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, opened the hearing by criticizing the M4 carbine’s 5.56mm round as underpowered.

“There are lots of reports of enemy combatants surviving being hit by multiple 5.56 rounds,” Cotton said. “Now we tried to improve the 5.56 round by developing different versions with greater range and firepower, but I’m not convinced this gives our troops the edge they need, especially if our enemies continue making advances in technology.”

Bednarek agreed.

“It’s time to upgrade to a higher, more lethal caliber weapons system for our infantry ground troops, regardless of service or component, regardless of color or uniform,” he said.

Bednarek is the former chief of the Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq. He has served in numerous combat arms leadership positions, including as rifle platoon leader in 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, in 1978 and commander of the 2/75 from 1996 to 1998. He also served in Operation Iraqi Freedom during his time as the assistant division commander for operations in the 25th Infantry Division (Light) from 2005 to 2008.

Bednarek told lawmakers that the 5.56mm ammunition used by the Army and the Corps cannot penetrate the “level two and level three body armor” of adversaries.

“Our capability to eliminate that threat at medium or long range is almost gone,” he said. “So we must have small-arms systems that can stop and can penetrate that increased enemy protection.”

Scales told lawmakers that the M4 carbine, in use by both the Army and the Corps, has an operating system that is “fundamentally flawed.”

“All the things that we could do to marginally improve it aren’t going to make a big difference, because the operating system is literally dependent on a puff of gas that blows a floating bolt back and slides it back into position,” Scales said. “And any amount of dust, in my case, dirt in our soldiers’ rifles — fouling from the round — will cause the weapon to jam.”

Scales is the former commandant of the U.S. Army War College and an artillery officer who was awarded the Silver Star for bravery during the Vietnam War.

Scales said the M4 carbine’s 5.56mm cartridge “is just too small for modern combat. Its lack of mass limits its range to less than 400 meters.”

“I believe that tomorrow’s rifle should be something in a midrange caliber between 6.5mm and 7mm,” he said, adding that the new cartridge could be made almost as light as the 5.56 by using a polymer shell or plastic shell casing.

Scales said the Army has argued that in an era of declining resources, a new rifle will cost more than $2 billion.

“But if we only buy rifles for the infantry, a force that today — Army, Marine and Special Forces of about 50,000 — that total would be reduced to as little as $50 million,” he said.

“The Army and the Marine Corps can keep their current stocks of M4s and M16s, because the vast majority of men and women in the ground services aren’t infantryman. And frankly, for other MOSs like artillery and the admin services, the M4 works just fine.”

Cotton asked why it’s so hard to field a new rifle.

“It’s not a ballistic missile defense system. It’s not a new stealth bomber. It’s not a new aircraft carrier. It’s a rifle. Why is it so hard?” Cotton asked. “Why is the Acquisition Corps say it’s going to take seven years to get a new rifle?”

Scales blamed the acquisition system.

“I hate to say it, but some of the people I’ve talked to in the Army staff recently are telling me that the same regulations that dictate building an F-35 fighter are at play in trying to design and build a little 7-pound piece of plastic and steel,” he said.

Then, perhaps predictably, a lawmaker asked what special operators use.

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, asked, “What do the SEALs use now for a weapon?”

Scales: “They use many things. They use the H&K 416, which is the Heckler and Koch weapon, the one that killed Osama bin Laden.”

King: “Would that be a suitable weapon that would meet the needs that you’ve described?”

Scales: “It would.”

OK, so that’s what happened on Capitol Hill.

Now I’m going to offer my two cents, and I’m sorry but we’ve seen this movie before.

The Army canceled its competition to replace the M4 with an improved carbine in 2013, opting instead to upgrade to the M4A1. Several gunmakers were involved in the five-year effort, including H&K with its 416.

Scales said, “I didn’t come here before the committee to advocate for a weapons maker, but let me say this. Most people will tell you that the H&K system is the best in the world. The Marines just bought — they call it the M27, but, you know, it’s really the H&K 416. It’s the most reliable action in the world.”

Again, I don’t like to inject my opinion but, in this case, I can’t help it. I find it very depressing when lawmakers get involved with weapons decisions, especially small arms.

They mean well, but they use rumors instead of fact-based research to make their point and often search for overly simplistic solutions that are impossible for the military to act upon.

Not to take away from the “credibility” of the witnesses, but I don’t understand why there were no active-duty military members at the hearing. It’s good to hear the unfiltered truth, but I have to question some of the criticism of the 5.56mm round.

I get the argument that soldiers and Marines could benefit from a new cartridge that is more effective than the 5.56 at longer ranges.

The 5.56mm round has had its problems in the past, particularly the M855 round. But the Army’s M855A1 round and Corps’ current MK 318 — a 5.56mm round that’s popular in the special operations community — reportedly have impressive terminal effects on the battlefield.

If the Army and the Marines get serious about a new rifle, I do think the idea of issuing it strictly to infantry and other combat arms units has a lot of merit.

The Marines are currently looking at expanding the role of the M27 infantry automatic rifle and issuing it to infantry units as a replacement for the M4 carbine.

The Army, however, is still unwilling to look at adopting a new infantry rifle unless it is a true leap-ahead in technology.

Thoughts?

 

Undy. What the fuck you give such a names like "Syrian regime" it is independent country you guys got no right to be there. What do you mean rebel allies, it is those cut throats that US support. You guys are such got used to do what ever you like to do,in the name of world democracy. You create a mess in a world. I may like to comunicate to you, but I m not obliged to eat all that shit that you write here. So please easy go, slow turn,and dont fuck with ppl, not all members of this site are that stupid. Just watch your ass and do your best to live to that time when you start a business of your own

 

Defense stocks hit an all time high on the stock market fueled by a 28 billion dollar order for weaponry from Saudi Arabia, ultimately the deal will be worth over 100 billion dollars for contractors ...

 

OK, It's going to take me days to read this whole thread so if my question has been discussed please direct me to the right spot. I've always been a strong supporter of the military in fact I was 1 bad knee away from joining the Marines. But the one thing that has always bothered me is the fact we can spend so many billions for research and buying this plane and that ship but our service men and women for what their doing are paid peanuts. Then we promise them that they will never have to worry about medical bills the rest of their life's and yet the VA and VA Hospitals are some of worst mismanaged places we have. Will we ever address and do something about the way these men and women are treated ?
An example of pay I know someone who retired from the Air Force after 22 years 1 month later he was working for a private company doing the same thing but making over 3 times what he made in the Air Force.

 

A big % of the billions spent for research and buying the plane or ship goes into politicians and their friends pockets. Every single plane and ship could be built for 10% of what it costs the government. I worked in a shipyard for years. We were paid to build the ship by old blueprints, then tear out the mistakes, rebuild it by the next set of blueprints, tear out the mistakes, and repeated at least 20 times before we were allowed to build it right.
The best way to get fired on the spot was to build it right the first time. For every mistake they get paid for building it, tearing it out, and buying new equipment.
The cost adds up when you rebuild the exact same thing 20 times including new equipment each time.

 

Now I can understand why US military budget is big.

 

It's Huge but compare it to some of the social programs

 

Most of the social programs have the same waste. Any program that the government is involved in has to pay the politicians and their friends before it can help the people who really need help. The social programs were not made to help the people. They were made to make politicians and their friends rich.
The food stamp program was not passed to help the hungry people. It was passed to get rid of the excess produce and to sell products for business owners.
Housing was not developed to give the poor a place to live. It was to rent houses and apartments that could not be rented in any other way.
The politicians and big business saw a way they could make money and get the government to tax the common people to pay for it.

 

So it is not only Russians who are corrupt.

 

Politicians in the U.S. have done more damage to our country than Russia could ever do.
They are very good at doing the damage and blaming Russia.

 

So we have a lobby there. KGB never stoped existance.

 

Each issue that you query has been addressed at some point here by either myself or the fine contributors that frequent this thread so you will find a few answers along the way although you may need to peruse the entire thread to find those particular topics as this thread is not progressive but more a potpourri of information and is scattered about .
All contributions are appreciated and there are no wrong questions here although you may not always like the answers you hear . Even our Russian Comrade manages to stay civilized here and that tells it's own story .
If I may , anyone that expresses support for any or all branches of the armed forces is an honorary member by default and that means more to us than most civilians realize .
All I ask is that you show a small level of respect to others while here if that is not asking too much .

 

Undy. what was that you meant by sayin EVEN OUR RUSSIAN COMRADE. That EVEN word you better keep for those who are close, or are equal to you. I m not your friend, boddy, or enything else.And I dont like the way you mention me. Stay alive we need you....

 

Due to US air strike on Syrian government army.Russia deployed 31st air born brigade to Syria, it will stop US and Jordan agression on Syrian army at south. Syrian South bourder is not covered yet, but we gonna fix it. So we expect you guys behave yourself or some one gonna fall down from the sky,hope that first one would be Jordan. What is your next move lets wait and see. Those who want to surrender pls shout loud \ YA SVOY\

 

Funny thing in regard to "military matters" that kicked in the second I set foot on Swiss soil. I married into Swiss citizenship in 1985 when I married a Swiss national and that citizenship came with necessitating the need to do military service since it is mandatory here and all able bodied men that are conscripted at the age of majority MUST report for duty annually for a predetermined length of time (normally 3 weeks a year) until they reach a certain age and are no longer required to serve.

Conscription is a heavily flawed system that originated way back during the French Revolution ... and is outdated and antiquated and some say it is sexist as well.

There are exceptions, woman are not drafted but can volunteer for service and dual nationals (I have 3 passports and YES Smith I have said so for years already so it is nothing new) can be excused from serving if like me they fulfilled their military obligations in another country in which they hold citizenship. The USA is one of those countries where Canada is not outright so it was a pain in the ass trying to convince them that pledging my allegiance to them was something I did with my fingers crossed behind my back and I might not be the best candidate to help them defend their country need be. I served for one summer and then was exempted from further service since I then met their requirements as far as documentation goes.

Some others can also opt out but they are required to pay an additional 3-5 % of their taxes to do so. Disabled are exempt as well for obvious reasons.

Anyway I still have to report to the government offices when here and let them know I am in country. They keep trying to get me to surrender my other passports while here and I always have the same answer; "why the fuck would I do that when I still have the Swiss one to travel with so take a flying fuck at a donut if you think I will hand over my passports" LOL.

Ironically, for a guy that doesn't need the money, if I were to make it to age 65 I would get 3 pensions. As it sits my sweety will get 3 death benefits payments instead lol.

I love Switzerland BUT my royalty is to Canada first and foremost ...

There is the coolest thing here though that most don't know about. There are numerous military installations in the mountains surrounding the country, including fighter jet runways that exit the mountain through retractable entrances/exits. Switzerland has one of the most "on ready" military's in the world and can mass over 1 million soldiers in a 24 hour hour period if the need arose. Soldiers also take their weapons and ammunition home with them when they are not on active duty so that they will have it if called up. Most males here have automatic weapons but you don't see them shooting up public places on a daily basis like in the USA ... it is also illegal to switch the weapon to "auto" when at home and it must remain on single shot mode.

 

The Swiss are in the market for up to 70 new fighter jets.

Switzerland could eventually be in the market for as many as 70 new fighter jets or as few as 20 under scenarios laid out on Tuesday by a defense ministry task force examining how to replace the neutral country's aging air force fleet.

The most expensive and powerful option would be to buy 55-70 aircraft and ground-based air defense weapons for an estimated 15 billion to 18 billion Swiss francs ($15.3-$18.4 billion), according to the report.

It did not say which aircraft the government should consider.

The least expensive option would be procuring 20 jets and accompanying ground-based air defense systems for 5 billion francs. Other options called for buying 40 or 30 new aircraft plus surface-to-air defense support.

Switzerland is looking to replace its fleet of Boeing McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C and D Hornets and outdated Northrop F-5 Tigers, all of which are scheduled to be retired in the 2020s.

The cheapest option would mean keeping the F/A-18s in service longer than planned, the panel said.

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It suggested the government decide by 2020 what kind of jets to buy and to finance the deal via the regular defense budget.

That would help avoid the risk of having to subject the purchase to a popular referendum under the Swiss system of direct democracy. Voters in 2014 shot down plans to buy 22 Gripen E fighters made by Swedish company Saab AB.