The MV-22 fix remains a mystery. Does the cockpit figuration have any influence on the clutch engagement that sometimes fails catastrophically and kills aircrew? Does the cockpit have a fixed wing configuration or is it a helicopter configuration? If the cockpit configuration is a fixed wing configuration there may be a problem.
As to the the MV-22 safety record, are apples and oranges being mixed as one? Broadly, there are two general causes of aircraft accidents; (1) pilot error and (2) equipment failure. It appears most of the MV-22 accidents were caused by a mysterious, clutch engagement failure; equipment failure. The MV-22 safety record was compared recently to the early CH-46 D safety record.
In 1970, as a new member of HMM-365 at MAG-26, we were transitioning from the UH-34D to the new CH-46D. We flew our new aircraft direct from the Philadelphia factory to MACF New River. Some time later the CH-46D aft transmission failures began. These failures turned the CH-46D into a flying midair. Analysis of the issue revealed the more powerful CH-46D engines, and the rigors of operational flying, placed torque on the airframes that would cause the transmission to fail. The airframe was strengthened. The failures ended. The CH-46D had a long service life.
The point is, the cause of the CH-46D transmissions failures, that initially led to a horrendous accident rate, was determined and fixed. This is not the case with the MV-22. Its accident rate should not be compared with other aircraft, such as the CH-46D, until the cause of the failures are determined and fixed.
COMMENT (2): Reactivate HMLA-269
LT Gen Wise did not have a Marine Corps Aviation Plan published for two years. He then published a plan that clearly stated the divestment of squadrons at MAG-26 and MAG-29 would place remaining squadrons with unsustainable capability to meet known commitments. The plan was published and he retired.
As the former CO of HMA-269 that transitioned to become HMLA-269, the deactivation was a bitter pill to swallow. The deactivation was much more than moth balling airframes. The loss of generations of highly skilled, aviation maintenance Marines was the most serious loss.
Also, in my opinion it caused a built in aviation safety hazard. The remaining Marines, being Marines, would move mountains to meet any commitments, even though their senior leaders had knowingly over committed them. Knowingly making Marines fail................
There is a common denominator across the four examples. It is “ gross lack of integrity”. The senior leadership of the institution is simply incapable of transparency or truth. It keeps getting worse. “Oh what tangled webs we weave when we first decide to deceive.” Too many of the Corps leaders surround themselves with a body guard of lies to borrow a phrase. This will impact the Corps like acid on metal.
I had open heart surgery a year ago at the age of 65. Quintuple bypass. I was back to full duty (as far as full time work, international travel, and light exercise in 6 weeks. At 3 months I was 100% for any kind of PT. I suspect the reason for the extra long recovery period and the secrecy surrounding it was not because they want the CMC able to hump for 20 miles with a combat load. It was because the CMC’s condition was far more serious than they were letting on. Perhaps mental fogginess? I certainly experienced that but it only lasted a few weeks. I wish him well but in the future we need far more transparency from our leaders and a strong bench to pick up the rifle and keep fighting.
“Heckl said after the event the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit have been on deployment since July, straining personnel and delaying needed maintenance on the ships. He added that the Boxer ARG and 15th MEU is split right now, with LPD Somerset already deployed to the Pacific and amphibious assault ship Boxer and dock landing ship Harpers Ferry still awaiting further maintenance before they deploy later this spring. “One ship is not a MEU,” he said of the Somerset’s ongoing work. “It’s a single-ship deployer, and we’ll do with it what we can, but it’s not a MEU.”
“Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl, the deputy commandant of the Marine Corps for combat development and integration, told Defense News today the redesign effort was “gone.” Now that is the “redesign” of amphibious ships and not the 2030 Design”. Small victory.
Initially, during the Viet Nam War, Marine Recon got the reputation of being “swift, silent and surrounded” because they were not being properly utilized and employed, resulting in emergency extracts. It took a combat leader like General Raymond G. Davis to fix that not only getting recon to find the enemy (without the enemy knowing it) but also getting Marines out of their defensive combat bases that was “contrary to their normally aggressive style of fighting”. Too bad Recon General Berger didn’t learn that lesson because 2030 Design sure ain’t the product of a strategic thinking Superman.
CMC Berger put the Corps on Life Support! CMC Smith just came off Life Support, America is supposed to believe he is “Fit for Full Duty”, WHY SHOULD WE? Is SecDef Austin fit for duty, what about POTUS?
FD2030 US Army…US Army Special Forces To Be Deployed on Taiwanese Island Six Miles From Mainland China
by Guy D. McCardle
2 days ago
SHARE THIS:
A Green Beret with 1st Special Forces Group is shown here moving to counter a simulated enemy attack at the National Training Center in 2021. US Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jared Gehmann.
A Green Beret with 1st Special Forces Group is shown here moving to counter a simulated enemy attack at the National Training Center in 2021. US Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jared Gehmann.
Click and Listen to the Article by SOFREP Now
1.0x
Audio by Carbonatix
The United States has initiated a significant military collaboration with Taiwan, featuring the deployment of US Army Special Forces for ongoing training operations on the island.
Under the provisions of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), U.S. military advisors have started to take up permanent positions at the Taiwanese Army’s amphibious command centers in Kinmen and Penghu. Their mission involves regular training exercises alongside Taiwan’s elite forces.
A notable aspect of this cooperation has been the American Army Special Forces’ assistance in training their Taiwanese counterparts to use the Black Hornet Nano, a compact military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This collaboration also extends to the creation of operational guidelines and training manuals. The Taiwanese Aviation and Special Forces Command has proposed acquiring this micro drone directly from the U.S. through military sales avenues.
The NDAA outlines the framework for deploying U.S. personnel to Taiwan, focusing mainly on military training without immediate plans for the placement of civilian officials. Reports indicate a growing presence of the U.S. Special Operations Forces Liaison Element (SOFLE) in Taiwan, with plans to station small teams from 1st Special Forces Group‘s 2nd Battalion, Alpha Company. These teams, comprised of three Army Green Berets, are tasked with ongoing joint training missions at the bases of Taiwan’s 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion and Airborne Special Service Company, acting as permanent training observers. This marks a departure from previous practices involving frequent but non-permanent visits to Taiwanese training facilities.
Biden and Blinken’s Gaza Pier……..Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS)
Floating Pier
Pier Emplacement
What is JLOTS: U.S. Army and U.S. Navy forces organized and equipped to conduct joint ship-to-shore operations where fixed port facilities are inadequate or
unavallable.
What JLOTS can do: Offload equipment and cargo in-stream (offshore) and deliver cargo to a restricted port, an expeditionary floating pier, or a bare beach employing shallow
COMMENT (1) MV-22:
The MV-22 fix remains a mystery. Does the cockpit figuration have any influence on the clutch engagement that sometimes fails catastrophically and kills aircrew? Does the cockpit have a fixed wing configuration or is it a helicopter configuration? If the cockpit configuration is a fixed wing configuration there may be a problem.
As to the the MV-22 safety record, are apples and oranges being mixed as one? Broadly, there are two general causes of aircraft accidents; (1) pilot error and (2) equipment failure. It appears most of the MV-22 accidents were caused by a mysterious, clutch engagement failure; equipment failure. The MV-22 safety record was compared recently to the early CH-46 D safety record.
In 1970, as a new member of HMM-365 at MAG-26, we were transitioning from the UH-34D to the new CH-46D. We flew our new aircraft direct from the Philadelphia factory to MACF New River. Some time later the CH-46D aft transmission failures began. These failures turned the CH-46D into a flying midair. Analysis of the issue revealed the more powerful CH-46D engines, and the rigors of operational flying, placed torque on the airframes that would cause the transmission to fail. The airframe was strengthened. The failures ended. The CH-46D had a long service life.
The point is, the cause of the CH-46D transmissions failures, that initially led to a horrendous accident rate, was determined and fixed. This is not the case with the MV-22. Its accident rate should not be compared with other aircraft, such as the CH-46D, until the cause of the failures are determined and fixed.
COMMENT (2): Reactivate HMLA-269
LT Gen Wise did not have a Marine Corps Aviation Plan published for two years. He then published a plan that clearly stated the divestment of squadrons at MAG-26 and MAG-29 would place remaining squadrons with unsustainable capability to meet known commitments. The plan was published and he retired.
As the former CO of HMA-269 that transitioned to become HMLA-269, the deactivation was a bitter pill to swallow. The deactivation was much more than moth balling airframes. The loss of generations of highly skilled, aviation maintenance Marines was the most serious loss.
Also, in my opinion it caused a built in aviation safety hazard. The remaining Marines, being Marines, would move mountains to meet any commitments, even though their senior leaders had knowingly over committed them. Knowingly making Marines fail................
There is a common denominator across the four examples. It is “ gross lack of integrity”. The senior leadership of the institution is simply incapable of transparency or truth. It keeps getting worse. “Oh what tangled webs we weave when we first decide to deceive.” Too many of the Corps leaders surround themselves with a body guard of lies to borrow a phrase. This will impact the Corps like acid on metal.
State of the Union speech: The President apparently alluded to some magical dock in Gaza for transfer of supplies. No boots on the ground.
Who’s out there protecting those “boots on the magical dock”?
Welcome back, All!
This will be a guaranteed FS! Another Blinken Bungle Forced on DoD!
I had open heart surgery a year ago at the age of 65. Quintuple bypass. I was back to full duty (as far as full time work, international travel, and light exercise in 6 weeks. At 3 months I was 100% for any kind of PT. I suspect the reason for the extra long recovery period and the secrecy surrounding it was not because they want the CMC able to hump for 20 miles with a combat load. It was because the CMC’s condition was far more serious than they were letting on. Perhaps mental fogginess? I certainly experienced that but it only lasted a few weeks. I wish him well but in the future we need far more transparency from our leaders and a strong bench to pick up the rifle and keep fighting.
Great Caesar’s Ghost Superman! Just how bad can this get?
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2024/03/07/pentagon-abandons-effort-to-scale-down-amphibious-ship-design/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mil-ebb
“Heckl said after the event the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit have been on deployment since July, straining personnel and delaying needed maintenance on the ships. He added that the Boxer ARG and 15th MEU is split right now, with LPD Somerset already deployed to the Pacific and amphibious assault ship Boxer and dock landing ship Harpers Ferry still awaiting further maintenance before they deploy later this spring. “One ship is not a MEU,” he said of the Somerset’s ongoing work. “It’s a single-ship deployer, and we’ll do with it what we can, but it’s not a MEU.”
“Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl, the deputy commandant of the Marine Corps for combat development and integration, told Defense News today the redesign effort was “gone.” Now that is the “redesign” of amphibious ships and not the 2030 Design”. Small victory.
Initially, during the Viet Nam War, Marine Recon got the reputation of being “swift, silent and surrounded” because they were not being properly utilized and employed, resulting in emergency extracts. It took a combat leader like General Raymond G. Davis to fix that not only getting recon to find the enemy (without the enemy knowing it) but also getting Marines out of their defensive combat bases that was “contrary to their normally aggressive style of fighting”. Too bad Recon General Berger didn’t learn that lesson because 2030 Design sure ain’t the product of a strategic thinking Superman.
Semper Fi
CMC Berger put the Corps on Life Support! CMC Smith just came off Life Support, America is supposed to believe he is “Fit for Full Duty”, WHY SHOULD WE? Is SecDef Austin fit for duty, what about POTUS?
FD2030 US Army…US Army Special Forces To Be Deployed on Taiwanese Island Six Miles From Mainland China
by Guy D. McCardle
2 days ago
SHARE THIS:
A Green Beret with 1st Special Forces Group is shown here moving to counter a simulated enemy attack at the National Training Center in 2021. US Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jared Gehmann.
A Green Beret with 1st Special Forces Group is shown here moving to counter a simulated enemy attack at the National Training Center in 2021. US Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jared Gehmann.
Click and Listen to the Article by SOFREP Now
1.0x
Audio by Carbonatix
The United States has initiated a significant military collaboration with Taiwan, featuring the deployment of US Army Special Forces for ongoing training operations on the island.
Under the provisions of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), U.S. military advisors have started to take up permanent positions at the Taiwanese Army’s amphibious command centers in Kinmen and Penghu. Their mission involves regular training exercises alongside Taiwan’s elite forces.
A notable aspect of this cooperation has been the American Army Special Forces’ assistance in training their Taiwanese counterparts to use the Black Hornet Nano, a compact military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This collaboration also extends to the creation of operational guidelines and training manuals. The Taiwanese Aviation and Special Forces Command has proposed acquiring this micro drone directly from the U.S. through military sales avenues.
The NDAA outlines the framework for deploying U.S. personnel to Taiwan, focusing mainly on military training without immediate plans for the placement of civilian officials. Reports indicate a growing presence of the U.S. Special Operations Forces Liaison Element (SOFLE) in Taiwan, with plans to station small teams from 1st Special Forces Group‘s 2nd Battalion, Alpha Company. These teams, comprised of three Army Green Berets, are tasked with ongoing joint training missions at the bases of Taiwan’s 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion and Airborne Special Service Company, acting as permanent training observers. This marks a departure from previous practices involving frequent but non-permanent visits to Taiwanese training facilities.
Biden and Blinken’s Gaza Pier……..Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS)
Floating Pier
Pier Emplacement
What is JLOTS: U.S. Army and U.S. Navy forces organized and equipped to conduct joint ship-to-shore operations where fixed port facilities are inadequate or
unavallable.
What JLOTS can do: Offload equipment and cargo in-stream (offshore) and deliver cargo to a restricted port, an expeditionary floating pier, or a bare beach employing shallow
draft transport watercraft.
Floating Causeway Pier
Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that don't have brains enough to be honest.
Benjamin Franklin