Tanks From the Skies

In class today I had a bit of a discussion that started out on the topic of the Future Combat System (FCS), which was a failed program designed to beef up the light infantry brigades in the Army and give them more firepower and survivability until heavy armored forces could arrive.  Unfortunately the program was hijacked by the "we don't need heavy armor" crowd and became, instead, a program designed to rid the Army of those pesky heavy tanks and Bradleys.

Unfortunately there will always be a need for the firepower and protection of heavy armor, no matter what the lightfighters may say.  In fact, the conversation turned to the staying power of US airborne forces, and how the US wasn't the one to get the airborne concept right, but rather the Soviets/Russians.  Why?  The BMD, and the idea that you can have an airborne armored force.

US airborne forces, such as the 82nd Airborne Division are purely light.  When they jump into hostile territory they go in with their boots, their rucks and their rifles.  The most firepower you're going to get is going to be from the anti-armor dudes, and then only in the form of an AT4 or a Carl Gustav.  A decent punch, but because some poor private's got to not only jump that crap, but carry it around the battlefield, you're not going to have a lot of rounds.  Anything heavier, vehicles and heavy machine guns, will be dropped in once the ground is secured, and if armor is coming in, it's not until the air is clear for the C17 or C5 to land and offload.

The Russians, on the other hand, developed an air-droppable light armored vehicle called the BMD (Боевая Машина Десантников), which is tracked, and depending on the version has anywhere from a 74mm gun to a slewed 30mm autocannon and 100mm gun.  While in theory they are droppable with crew, in practice, the BMD is dropped out the back ramp of the plane, while the crew and crunchies are dropped out the side doors, all landing at the same time.  So, on the objective, on the first pass, you have anywhere from two to six armored vehicles plus infantry.  No need to wait for that airfield to be cleared or for the follow on waves to bring you the big toys. The newscast for this first video claims that the crews were actually in the vehicles... Here's some more. The US used to have pseudo air-droppable armor in the form of the Sheridan, as seen here. But even this would still not match the ability to put both crews and tracks on the ground at the same time, alongside airborne infantry. Instead, we got Strykers, without the 25mm guns.

Long Weekend

So, last week was spent herding cats.  Yep.  A group of 16 majors is the equivalent of a herd of cats, but not just housecats... no, imagine that herd contains everything from tabby cats to lynxes and mountain lions. And it was my job to try and put them all to use to create a staff briefing.

The briefing was a pseudo fictional strategic estimate on what the Army calls the GAAT region (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey), but the rest of the world calls the Caucasus.  A strategic estimate is basically just an information brief that describes the region as it relates to US national strategic and military goals, and gives the same info for the region as a whole as well as each individual nation involved.  It is supposed to (according to US joint doctrine) also give recommendations for strategic options, but because of budget cuts, we've taken that part out (J/k).

So, Monday we got about 4 hours to work on this, and then run an IPR (in progress review).  Well, let's just say that as the group leader, I got plenty of constructive feedback out of the IPR.  Biggest lesson learned is that yes, we're a bunch of majors, but when working together as a staff, you have to issue guidance the same way as you do to your junior soldiers.  The reasons are different, though.  For the junior soldiers it's to make sure they actually get the info you need.  For majors it's to reign them in and keep them from going above and beyond.

Well, I adjusted fire over the next two days and on Thursday, after about 2 hrs of review and finalization, we actually briefed the estimate.  Gotta love the Judge, our instructor, who took on the personality of the "I just got here yesterday" boss... but we apparently did a good job of answering his oddball questions and demonstrated an actual knowledge of the area, and the briefing was a success.

So, I rewarded myself with a trip home for Presidents' Day weekend.

It was awesome to see the family again after about 6 weeks, and we had a ton of fun.  We went "hiking" at Mount Bunnell, put together a puzzle, ate some good food, and pretty much hung out.  By the way, if you're looking for some awesome breakfast in Round Rock, go to Cafe Java in the Randall's complex on AW Grimes and Gattis.  Excellent and inexpensive.

Fortunately the only one to really take my leaving hard was Mila, who called me about 15 min after I got to the airport bawling about how she was just going to cry every day until I came home for Easter.  She's a sweetheart, and has always been a Daddy's girl.

Unfortunately the weekend is gone, and I've got 6 more weeks till I get to come home again.  Sigh...

On the Russian roads

Some more Russian driving fun. While it's possible this was set up, I can fully believe that the filmers simply set out to see what Russia's roads would offer.

How not to Testify to Congress

We have to assume that after a few years in Congress, Chuck Hagel would have understood the rules of the "How not to give a media interview" game.

You'd also think that he would have well understood that those same rules apply when testifying before congress.

File this under "How not to testify to congress".