Clark Griswold

Question for Swanee: Just looking at the dimensions of an LHD, using the USS Bataan as an example, which is about 850 feet x 105, pretty close to the size of some smaller carriers operated by the French or Brazilians, why didn't the USMC build straight deck pocket carriers and look for a light strike fighter that could do STOBAR operations to keep it simple? Serious question as it would seem a lot less technically difficult and still be Marine owned and operated? Agreed - the dye is cast for better or worse but why did USMC Aviation keep going with the idea of VSTOL fighters after the known performance limitations of the AV-8 and the lift-fan limitations/problems with the B model?

But for the kind of money that sequestration is going to force us to save, it is very likely to be retired along with some others unfortunately (A-10 & F-15C). http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130923/NEWS/309230019/ http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130915/DEFREG02/309150004/

This could be the first sign of the apocalypse

2 Don't like it but it's the truth.

http://www.dodbuzz.com/2013/09/17/air-force-may-scrap-kc-10-tanker-fleet-general/ http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130915/DEFREG02/309150004/ Not just the KC-10 but the A-10 and F-15C also... but back to the KC-10, unfortunately it is probably done as I don't think they have upgraded but 2 of the KC-10 flight decks. 777 tanker would make a great replacement but not gonna happen...

I don't think America will devolve into Bartertown run by Master Blaster but I think that a default, either by passing the deadline on the 17th and not being able to fulfill all obligations, not just interest on our debt, would cut the purchasing power of the dollar at least by a third. It would be a default in the mind of the market even if the interest would be paid. The day after for a default would be like others except with a 1000 point drop in the market and credit cards no longer being accepted but debit transactions still going thru. Basically, we're still functioning just operating with less money and credit no longer accepted, I just want to limit the damage that I am coming to believe is going to happen. I watched this movie a while ago, Collapse, and while I think the subject of the film, Michael Ruppert and his theories have to be taken with a big grain of salt, he addressed the idea of survival on the land following the collapse, basically if you're not already there it won't help. As I live in the 'burbs, I am thinking about preparing for the Great Recession part 2 and if it gets to Mad Max, it will be better to be in an area you know with people you know with strength in numbers, but I put the chance of that very very very low.

Thinking of a basket of currencies: Euros, Canadian Dollars, British Pounds, Japanese Yen, Swedish Krona, etc... probably thru an ETF or a foreign currency CD. This is only an ejection seat option as I agree that if we defaulted, it pretty much is the financial equivalent of a zombie apocalypse coupled with a Sharknado and it might only save some value but it might preserve more than just having dollars

I've considered what I could do personally in the event this happens and have come up with a few palatable options but I've started to consider trying to roll a fair amount of liquid savings in dollars to a foreign currency in the event the worst happens. Besides this and maybe putting it into my mortgage, buying gold/silver, or purchasing property; I can't think of any other way to protect this part of my investments. Has anyone else come up with any ideas if they (take your pick on whom to blame) trigger a default?

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True, after I read it I imagined Canada preparing for a mass influx from Detroit following collapse of the dollar (military exercise), a bit tin foil hat I admit but interesting how that just seems like it could actually happen now...

http://www.telegraph...upt-French.html

There almost was a somewhat low-observable attack aircraft once upon a time... McDonnell Douglas Modell 226-458 Quiet Attack Aircraft Not saying that this is what needs to be replace the Hog but it is possible (if not financially but technically) to have a low signature if not true LO attack aircraft that will give you much better survivability and a dedicated attack / CAS platform but you have to do some horse trading to get it to happen. Vertical cuts is the new line from the corner office, cut a whole MDS and the people / facilities to save much more money than a horizontal across an MDS cut that is less effective, one could make the argument to the Army and Congress that the JSTARS mission can be done cheaper by Global Hawk and cutting one of the legacy bombers, the Buff or Bone. Maybe it would be enough money to develop a new platform or to get a dedicated attack / CAS platform from an existing and in-production aircraft, like a dedicated attack / CAS Super Hornet? I doubt we will do anything but continue to put all our eggs in the F-35 basket, maybe it will work out maybe not but... CAS over a large maneuver force engaged in a force on force engagement, CAS in areas where rotary wing support may have trouble like in Anaconda, CAS over large areas requiring a quick transit time, CAS in contested areas requiring a platform that has at least a fighting chance against a shoot-n-scoot system like a SA-22 is not going away...

A) ROE not REO B) There is someone to work with, the Syrian Military Council, full description here The Free Syrian Army by Elizabeth O'Bagy Executive Summary The SMC has the potential to serve as a check on radicalization and help to assert a moderate authority in Syria. If the SMC can create enough incentives for moderation it will likely be able to marginalize the most radical elements within its structure. To this end, the SMC has recognized the importance of the inclusion of some of the more radical forces, while still drawing a red line at the inclusion of forces that seek the destruction of a Syrian state, such as jihadist groups like Jabhat Nusra. - See more at: http://www.understandingwar.org/report/free-syrian-army#sthash.z4BIxJ9k.dpuf

Depressing to see Kerry today begin to the process of painting us into a corner there is almost no out now to not conducting a strike. Good brief description of the Syrian Air Order of Battle, here, and the Syrian Ground Order of Battle, here. I still think intervention is a heads they win tails we lose scenario but playing armchair general, if we (hopefully with a sizable and unconstrained ROE coalition of allies) do intervene, a strategy could be: - give the "rebels" a sanctuary from which to operate - establish at least over the sanctuary a Defensive CAP and counter artillery batteries - impose an air, sea and land blockade to try to dry up what weapons the government does have - pick out of 10+ factions that compose the Free Syrian Army the least evil, arm-train-fund them better than their rivals to begin to form a cohesive leadership - disrupt communications into and out of Syria to further isolate the regime: no Internet, no Sat phones, no mobile phones, no electronic commerce, etc... - disrupt banking to further erode Syrian currency all of this is something I think we should not do but if you're going play, play to win

Decent article on non-intervention in Syria. http://www.salon.com/2013/05/03/the_real_reason_not_to_intervene_in_syria/ Not sure if no action is the best choice but I am sure that no direct kinetic action should be taken alone or without some sort of international backing.

A lot...

Maybe nothing... not to be callous but this may be something they have to work out for themselves, now the problem of something worse arising in Syria (a new hostile Islamic state for example) is a possibility but there is a low low possibility that we can erase sectarian tensions and strife, encourage a secular society there and extricate ourselves in anything less than 10+ years if we decide to intervene and rebuild Syria, with or without a coalition with us... Ultimately we need a strategy, not tactics for dealing with the ME and Islamic fascism. We just keep reacting to whatever crisis erupts there and we are overextending and wasting our resources (financial, military, diplomatic, etc..) trying to fix that which is inherently screwed up: a large number of ethic and religious factions put together into made-up countries with scarce resources and a long history of scores they would like to settle amongst each other. Again, don't take the bait.

2 But there we are ways to leave the game not lose it... but back to Syria specifically, my two cents only... don't strike with stand off weapons, the damage would not substantially affect Asad's regime and will only give lran and Syria the action they want, the best move(s) right now is to: build a coalition of allies isolate the regime further put together a plan for what happens after Asad is gone a whole of government approach from many governments is necessary if we decide that intervention is the appropriate option but I still think this is not our fight alone, now if all or most of the usual suspects want to help out along with some local help (UK, Germany, Italy, France, Canada, Turkey, Jordan, etc...) then maybe but it just reinforces the idea the "international community" can just call on the US anytime there is conflict and we come to stop it... not a sustainable path...

Different circumstances... a major oil producer and control of major oil supplies was at stake with a clearly definable objective (initially) of ousting Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Syria is a tragedy but other than the vaguely definable objective of thwarting an ally of Iran, there is no compelling interest in assisting the rebels / Islamic extremists in overthrowing the existing regime. These are not necessarily the people we want to help... http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/08/25/shock-video-allegedly-shows-al-qaeda-linked-terrorists-stopping-truck-drivers-on-side-of-road-then-executing-them-for-not-being-sunni-muslims/

This pretty much sums up the problem... Article...

Godspeed Misty...

I know they are using the UPAZ system for the HDU but even the Russian probes are the same as the NATO probes or are supposed to be... only refuelled Brit Tornados and Aussie F/A-18's probe and drogue foreign receivers so I can't speak from experience on it... But they (the IAF) are buying the A-330 MRTT and having a dedicated tanker sometimes transport is what they want... Looks like they are back on schedule or ready to deliver now, this news update doesn't specify IOC but it is the second production example being delivered this year... Not an Airbus salesman but the idea of combining medium airlift with tanker capability into one aircraft (except for boom AR) is a pretty good one...

Glad they bought American but suprised they didn't go with the A400M as it can dual role for airlift or probe & drogue AR

Cut in-residence slots by 90% for ASBC, SOC, & ACSC to pay for a light aircraft ACE program, with my seconds of thought and calculation to this I'm sure that will pay for it... My votes... an Extra 300 & Diamond 42 program for aero, formation, basic tactics & cross-country that might actually involve mission planning and landing somewhere other than OTBH, OKAN, OAIX or UAFM...