Category Archives: modern military conflict

A Great Idea, Perhaps Horribly Implemented

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As you may have heard, President Trump and Finnish Prime Minister Keir Starmer had a 45-minute public post-NATO joining hug fest at the White House on Thursday. A big result, of importance to us, is an announcement that a wild consortium of folks who should know how to make icebreakers has been selected for the $9 billion design and construction of six Arctic Security Cutters (ASC) for the USCG to a basically existing design.

Eighty percent of the world’s icebreakers are designed in Finland, and 60 percent of them are built there.

The group is made up of Bollinger Shipyards, in partnership with Finland’s Rauma Marine Constructions (Rauma) and Aker Arctic Technology Inc. (Aker Arctic), along with Canada’s Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan).

At first glance, this should be a good thing as Bollinger has been aces when it comes to making Dutch Damen-designed patrol boats in their Louisiana yards for the USCG going back to the 1980s, including the 110-foot Islands, the 87-foot Marine Protector, and the 158-foot Sentinel classes. In fact, Bollinger has delivered 186 vessels to the Coast Guard– that work– in the past 40 years. However, their three planned 23,000-ton USCG Polar Security Cutter heavy polar icebreakers, inherited when they bought Halter in Mississippi, have been plagued with issues.

Rauma delivered three well-made and successful 10,000-ton multi-purpose icebreakers in the 1990s to Arctia Oy, the state-owned company responsible for operating the Finnish icebreaker fleet. This was followed by the 24,000 icebreaking passenger ferry Aurora Botnia in 2021. Further, they have four Pohjanmaa-class multi-purpose frigates currently under construction for the Finnish Navy that are to be capable of operating in ice.

Aker is a Finnish firm that has spent the past 20 years designing icebreakers to the most modern standards.

Vancouver-based Seaspan has been around since 1970 and has produced dozens of commercial tugs and ferries, and as of late has pulled down several RCN/CCG contracts, including for the 20,000-ton Protecteur class AOEs (based on a successful design used by the German Navy) and the 26,000-ton icebreaker CCGS Arpatuuq. Both of the latter contracts have suffered from considerable delays. Speaking of delays, Seaspan just started sea trials on the ice-capable oceanographic ship CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk whose budget jumped more than tenfold from CAD$109 million to CAD$1.47 billion (not a misprint), has dragged out way past the expected delivery date, and has been under construction for the past 10 years.

The Seaspan-built CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk was ordered in 2015 and only recently began sea trials, at 10X the original budget.

Seaspan has also pulled down the Canadian Coast Guard contract for up to 16 Aker-designed 8,987-ton, 327-foot multi-purpose icebreakers (MPI), which are intended to revitalize the CCG’s fleet. Capable of icebreaking (polar class 4), SAR, sovereignty patrols, fishery patrol, and ATON, the project is estimated to cost $14.2 billion, but the first vessel isn’t to be delivered until 2030.

The Seaspan MPIs for the CCG have a large forward crane and cargo hold with excess deck capacity, a helicopter hangar, two utility craft, and the capability to operate RHIBs. Capable of 16 knots with a diesel-electric suite that allows for a 12,000nm/60-day endurance, they only need a 50-person crew.

The CCG MPIs:

What the USCG is supposed to be getting…

So, the agreement this week is for six Arctic Security Cutters, based on the Seaspan-Aker MPI design for the CCG. The first three vessels will be built simultaneously by Rauma in Finland and Bollinger in the U.S. (likely at the old Halter yard in Mississippi), with production of the remaining three vessels to be built in the U.S., while Seaspan and Aker will assist.

Delivery of the first three vessels is expected within 36 months of the contract award. That means they are expected before the first Canadian-built MPI, which they are based on, will be delivered. Now that is putting a lot of faith in Rauma and Bollinger.

The difference between the CCG MPI and the images of the planned Bollinger-Rauma ASC seems few, with the large crane deleted, an MK 38 Mod 2/3 gun forward, four M2 .50 cals on the bridge wings, and an MH-60T on the helicopter deck.

Keep in mind the forward cargo deck is to be left open to allow for eight 40-foot ISO cargo containers, which could host the Mk 70 Mod 1 Payload Delivery System– the Typhon SMRF— which holds four strike-length VLS launchers on an internal erector. While the ASC doesn’t have the radars and fire control to push a SM-6 (unlessed linked to a DDG/CG), she could theoretically carry a mix of up to 32 vertical launch ASROC (cued by MH60 LAMPS), TLAMs, or anti-ship Tomahawks in such launchers.

That’s interesting.

Of course, I would like a 57mm Mk 110 (or even a 5-incher) forward, and at least a CIWS or Sea-Ram aft, in addition to the Mk 70 possibilities, but that’s just me.

I hope it all works out.

Newest U.S. Icebreaker Completes First Patrol

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The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis (WAGB 21) uses dynamic positioning to maintain its position near the Johns Hopkins Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2025. The Storis is equipped with Dynamic Positioning Class 2 capabilities, which provide redundancy and ensure station-keeping even with the failure of a critical component, such as a generator or thruster. (U.S. Coast Guard photo 250805-G-GX036-1007 by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashly Murphy)

The Seattle-based USCGC Storis (WAGB 21), the third-hand 360-foot former oilfield support vessel M/V Aiviq, is officially a U.S. government-flagged medium polar icebreaker. She just wrapped her 112-day inaugural patrol, which included keeping tabs on a series of five Chinese research ships bopping along over the extended U.S. shelf.

She also visited Juneau, where she was commissioned on 10 August, which will eventually be her home, the first time a government-owned icebreaker was forward based in Alaska since her namesake, the original WWII-era USCGC Storis (WMEC-38), was retired in 2007.

As detailed by USCG PAO: 

Storis departed Pascagoula, Mississippi, on June 1, transited the Panama Canal, and the Pacific Ocean enroute to conduct its first Arctic patrol operating north of the Bering Strait to control, secure, and defend the northern U.S. border and maritime approaches.

Storis operated under the Coast Guard Arctic District, supporting Operation Frontier Sentinel to counter foreign malign influences in or near Alaskan and U.S. Arctic waters.

In early September, Storis entered the ice for the first time as a Coast Guard cutter to relieve Coast Guard Cutter Healy (WAGB 20) and monitor the Chinese-flagged research vessels Jidi and Xue Long 2.

Upon returning to Seattle, Storis will enter a six-week training period where the ship and the crew will undergo major training evolutions, system and program recapitalization, and a two-week underway phase with scheduled engagements in Victoria, Canada.

By the numbers, Port-au-Prince edition

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For eight weeks this summer, 15 women and 128 men– the first element of 700 of the new Haitian Armed Forces (FAD’H) — were subjected to basic military training at Mexico’s Regional Center for Individual Combat Training (CRCTI) in San Miguel de Los Jagüeyes, north of Mexico City, where they practiced personal defense and shooting and “learned about human rights.”

They arrived back home in late September.

Dressed in woodland BDUs with Haitian flag shoulder patches, they seem to have been “trained by the numbers” with donated Mexican HK G3s.

The training is part of an expanding defense collaboration under a 2018 agreement between Mexico and Haiti, with Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and France also conducting similar but in smaller 20-50 member courses.

The program is part of Haiti’s effort to rebuild its army, disbanded in 1995 by Aristide in an effort to consolidate control after deposing (with massive U.S. help) the military council of School of the Americas-trained Gen. Raoul Cedras that previously ran the country.

Revived in 2017 by now-slain President Moise, the FAd’H only numbers about 1,300 soldiers alongside 9,000~ thoroughly demoralized national police officers tasked with protecting nearly 12 million people. They are facing open street violence against an estimated 200 organized criminal gangs, with the country running 1,500 violent deaths per quarter.

In 1994, the lightly armed FAd’H numbered 41 companies (6,200 men) while the paramilitary Haitian Gendarme had 11 companies (1,000 men).

A 900-strong (of 2,500 pledged) Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) was deployed last year to help fight the gangs, but it has stalled and is to be replaced, with the U.S. shopping around its allies for a follow-on, theorized 5,500-strong force to pick up the pieces.

Volunteer countries have been scarce.

Army deploying new ‘terrain-shaping munition’ to Europe

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The 2nd Cavalry Regiment, based at Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany, will be the first unit to field the recently IOC’d XM204 Top Attack Terrain Shaping Munition.

The regiment is the longest continuously serving cavalry unit in the Army and plays a key role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative.

“For units on the frontlines of deterrence in Europe, having access to advanced terrain-shaping capabilities like the XM204 strengthens our ability to influence key terrain, slow adversary movement, and protect our forces,” said Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments and Ammunition and Commanding General of Picatinny Arsenal. “This system gives our warfighters a decisive edge as we train and operate alongside NATO allies.”

What is the XM204?

Built by Textron, the XM204 has been in development since 2022 and is a low-profile hand-emplaced anti-tank “smart” mine of a sort.

At 84 pounds, it includes four bouncing top attack munitions with Tantalum explosively formed penetrators that can be fired independently and reach out to 50 meters from the device.

It holds four of these little guys

Rather than old anti-tank mines that require a vehicle weighing over 4 tons to be driven over, the XM204 utilizes seismic sensors with a classified range and, according to reports, programmable target profiles to distinguish between, for example, a bulldozer and a T-72.

Some say it can distinguish between an Abrams and a T-72 as well, which is interesting, but I wouldn’t want to be the Abrams platoon commander to try that for the first time.

It has a 30-minute delay in arming and a timed self-destruct (4 hours, 48 hours, or 15 days) to inert itself if not reclaimed and has “anti-tamper” features to keep the bad guys from using them. They can be collected by follow-on troops and redeployed if they haven’t been tripped.

The XM204 has been successfully used against T-72s at Yuma Proving Ground.

“XM204 anti-vehicle munition with standoff and top attack capabilities designed to support terrain shaping operations in action during a test run. (U.S. Army photo)”

A video of the XM204 in theoretical use:

It is interesting to imagine what Rommel and Montgomery would have done with 10 pallets of these in North Africa in 1942.

New Uniforms for the Pontifical Swiss Guard

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So the Swiss Guards introduced a new uniform this week.

Now calm down, the classic “Michelangelo” enlisted Gala uniform (which was introduced by commandant Jules Repond in 1914, to a design inspired by 16th-century frescoes of Raphael of the Swiss Guard) isn’t going away.

You know, this one, seen in full ceremonial (with white collar and armor) and standard, with Basque hat, formats:

This uniform is worn by the Swiss Guard’s 85 Hellebardiers and 41 NCOs when on normal ceremonial duties during the day.

Which is covered by a waterproofed Mantle in inclement weather.

Except for special occasions, the unit’s nine officers and chaplain wear business suits, and when more formality is needed, such as for Easter services and swearing-in ceremonies, they wear this rarely seen red velvet number.

Then there is the more common so-called “Night and Exercise uniform,” which is used, as its name would imply, by after-hours guards as well as those in less public-facing areas, such as along the roads and at the entrance to St. Anne’s.

The dark blue and more fatigue Swiss Guard Exercise uniform.

They even wear them in the 100-mile march in 4 days at Nijmegen every year, where they march with the regular Swiss Army’s contingent.

And of course, as all members are well vetted Swiss Catholics who have completed their Swiss military service, there is a training uniform as well.

Plus, for deployed service outside of the Vatican, every Swiss Guard, officer, and man has a well-cut issued dark suit.

All those will remain in service.

What is changing is the “Repräsentationsuniform,” which is only used by the Guard’s nine officers for things such as receptions and official dinners that need to be more dressy than the standard “duty” business suit, but where the red, velvet, and very delicate Gala-uniform is not appropriate. After all, food and velvet do not mix.

The old Repräsentationsuniform. It is based on the circa 1870s Swiss Army Ordnance uniform.

The new Repräsentationsuniform is a bit more, well, it’s a bit more.

If you ask me, it looks like the House Atreides undress uniforms of Dune, 1984.

David Lynch would be proud.

Warship Comings and Goings

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The past week has been a very busy one when it comes to new warships coming online and old ones getting the (sometimes hard) goodbye.

Comings

The future Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128), equipped with the new-to-the-fleet AN/SPY-6 (V)1 radar and Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System, recently completed her builder’s sea trials. 

Stevens will be commissioned in Alaska in May or June 2026 as she honors the former senator from that state.

Ingalls delivered the first Flight III, USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), in June 2023 and has five others under construction. In all seriousness, these should probably be re-classified as Lucas-class cruisers (CG) as they are stepping into the AAW boss role in carrier battle groups left vacant by the retirement of the Ticonderogas.

Speaking of Flight III Burkes, the future USS Louis H. Wilson Jr (DDG 126) was christened on Bath Iron Works’ drydock over the weekend.

She was sponsored and christened by the daughter of Mississippi-born General Louis H. Wilson Jr., USMC, who served as the Twenty-Sixth Commandant of the Marine Corps during its immediate post-Vietnam rebuilding process. Wilson was no slouch when it came to valor, having earned a MoH while leading a rifle company of the Ninth Marines on Guam in 1944 at the ripe old age of 24.

When it comes to another storied WWII vet, the 82-year-old Gato-class fleet boat USS Cobia (SS-245) is looking great after a dry docking at Fincantieri shipyard. Among other things, she has blasted, primed, and coated with 1,945 gallons of paint, and her sea chests have been cleared of mussels and blanked off with metal plates. A leak was also found in main ballast tank 2, which was drained, cleaned, and repaired.

Her $1.5 million refresh is scheduled to take six weeks and keep her ship-shape for another 25 years, after which she will go back on display at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc around mid-October.

Cobia was last dry-docked in the fall of 1996, which tracks.

Goings

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) was officially decommissioned during a ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk on Sept. 25, 2025. Commissioned in 1989, she has given 36 years of hard service and is the second U.S. Navy warship to carry the name.

Now, only seven of the 27 Ticos are still in active service, with another 15, all decommissioned since 2022, nominally in the Reserve Fleet. Five earlier non-VLS Ticos have all been disposed of.

Finally, the retired Norwegian Olso-class (modified Dealy class DEs) frigate KNM Bergen (F301) was disposed of in a sinkex off the coast of her homeland last month.

There is some confusion over whether she was sunk by a torpedo from the Ula-class submarine KNM Uthaug (S 304) or a Quickstrike delivered by a visiting USAF B-2. As some of the photos released by the Norwegian Navy are clearly taken via periscope, it may be a combination of the two.

It is known that a visiting B-2A “Spirit of Indiana” (82-1069), accompanied by a Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35A Lightning II and P-8A Poseidon aircraft, did use a 2,000-pound class GBU-31 JDAM (Quicksink variant) against “a maritime target” off Andøya in the Norwegian Sea, on 3 September, so this may have been against ex-Bergen.

Either way, it was a dramatic end to the 2,000-ton frigate, which served faithfully on the front lines of the Cold War from 1967 to 2005.

USCG Gets Serious on drones as largest icebreaker finishes last (planned) overhaul

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A slate of press releases from the Coast Guard has the service spending some big money, something in the area of $378 million, on bettering its aviation and drone/robot inventory.

Those updates, part of the giant OBBBA Homeland Security outlay, will buy, in part:

  • $4.8 million to procure 16 VideoRay Defender remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to replace Deployable Specialized Forces’ aging fleet. These will be used for waterfront and pier inspections, hull assessments, subsurface infrastructure surveys, disaster response, and search and rescue missions.
  • $2 million to procure six Qinetiq Squad Packable Utility Robot (SPUR) and 12 mini-SPUR robots to replace outdated unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) at Strike Teams to access and sample air in confined spaces aboard commercial vessels.
  • $4.3 million to purchase 125 SkyDio X10D [a type that is getting much love from the Department of War lately] short-range unmanned aircraft systems (SR-UAS). The SR-UAS will support operations including infrastructure inspections, environmental observation, pollution response, post-storm surveys, ice surveys, and communications.
  • $14.3 million order for the delivery of 13 new General Electric T700 engines for its growing MH-60 helicopter fleet. The USCG plans to go to an all-MH-60T rotary wing fleet with 127 new aircraft, replacing older MH-65 Dolphins altogether.
  • $13.9 million for three AN/APY-11 multi-mode radar systems to be installed on future HC-130Js during the Minotaur missionization process.

Roll that beautiful drone footage sizzle reel, including a good look at 161-pound Shield AI MQ-35A V-BAT, which is currently part of a $198 million contract.

 

USCGC Polar Star Returns to Seattle after 308 days

After 308 days away from its Seattle home port, the 49-year-old U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) and crew returned home last Tuesday. Of that, 175 days were spent refirbing the 13,500-ton, 399-foot icebreaker, which first took to the water in 1976.

After 308 days away from its Seattle home port, the 49-year-old U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) and crew returned home, Sept. 23, 2025. Upon completing Operation Deep Freeze 2025, Polar Star returned directly to Mare Island Dry Dock in Vallejo, Calif., to complete the final year of a five-year Service Life Extension Program prior to returning to Seattle. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Annika Hirschler.

The crew of the USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10) poses for a group photo underneath the cutter’s stern while in dry dock in Vallejo, Calif., Aug. 1, 2025. 250801-G-G0200-1001

The rudder of the USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10) is being removed while in a Vallejo, Calif., dry dock, April 1, 2025. The maintenance work completed over the past five years recapitalized integral systems, including propulsion, communication, and machinery control systems. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Nestor Molina)

Upon completing Operation Deep Freeze (ODF) 2025, Polar Star returned directly to Mare Island Dry Dock in Vallejo, Calif., to complete the final year of a five-year Service Life Extension Program (SLEP).

The maintenance work completed over the past five years recapitalized integral systems, including propulsion, communication, and machinery control systems. These efforts are designed to extend the cutter’s service life as the Coast Guard begins construction of its first Polar Security Cutter. Until PSCs becomes operational, Polar Star will remain the only U.S. icebreaker capable of completing the annual breakout of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, in support of the U.S. Antarctic program (USAP).

Looks like the ACV is really happening

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How about this photo series recently posted by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, showing operational Marine Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs) at play from a big ‘phib.

An amphibious combat vehicle with Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, launches from amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 14, 2025. Elements of the 11th MEU embarked Boxer to conduct integrated training off the coast of Camp Pendleton, California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

A U.S. Marine Corps amphibious combat vehicle with Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts an open-water transit prior to embarking the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 14, 2025. Elements of the 11th MEU embarked Boxer to conduct integrated training off the coast of Camp Pendleton, California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

U.S. Marine Corps amphibious combat vehicles with Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to embark the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 14, 2025. Elements of the 11th MEU embarked Boxer to conduct integrated training off the coast of Camp Pendleton, California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

Based on the Italian Iveco SuperAV 8×8, the BAE-produced ACV is the replacement for the troubled and long-serving (circa 1972) AAVP-7A1, the last of the Marine Corps amtracs.

These guys:

The legacy AAVP7.. AAV7A1 assault amphibious vehicles transport Marines with 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion and 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, both with 2d Marine Division, for a wet-gap amphibious crossing as part of a company-sized infiltration on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 10, 2021. The infiltration focused on maneuvering across complex terrain and picket lines with near-peer capabilities in an unscripted force-on-force scenario. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacqueline C. Arre)

Whereas the 29 ton AAVP-7A1 was a giant (26 foot long, 11 tall and wide) bread box that was clad in 45mm of armor and was good for 45mph on surfaced roads and 7 knots in the water, the even heavier (32 ton) and larger (30 feet by 10 by 10) ACV can carry about half the personnel (13 Marine passengers vs 21) but can at least do it faster, with a published speed of 65mph on paved roads and 6 knots on the water.

The Corps announced the delivery of the 300th ACV at its BAE production facility in York, Pennsylvania, earlier this month. That’s about half of the way to the finish line of 623 vehicles, based on the latest program of record, to equip its three active and one reserve Assault Amphibian Battalions.

National Guard waves goodbye to its Airborne Battalions

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While the 16th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was activated under the Army National Guard in 1960, and later separated into the 19th and 20th SFGs by 1961, which remain active and with some 2,000 members on their rolls each, the Guard has had few dedicated parachute-certified units.

Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry, the “Indiana Rangers,” was Airborne qualified during its service in Vietnam, although they made no combat jumps during their hard-fought 1968-69 deployment to Southeast Asia.

Indiana Rangers: The Army Guard in Vietnam By Mort Kunstler

The old 1970s-80s Pathfinder Dets (typically just 6-12 men each) in the Guard morphed into long-range surveillance detachments (LRSDs), which in turn were disbanded circa 2006.

Shots of the 77th Infantry Detachment (Pathfinder)(Airborne), 73rd Infantry Brigade (SEP), Ohio National Guard, which was stood up in 1977 and disbanded in 1990.

At their peak around 2000, the Guard counted three 163-man LRSCs (company-sized units of three platoons aligned to Corps HQs on mobilization) and nine 56-man LRSDs (each organized into six six-man LRS teams plus support personnel) allocated to divisional HQs. While many of its members were Ranger-tabbed, and the teams worked up much more than standard Guard units, they still needed at least a 90-day workup before deployment and often ran as much as 40 percent under strength.

Then, in 2015, the Guard redesignated the 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment (the old Texas 3rd Infantry) as an airborne light infantry battalion and the next year aligned it officially with the Italy-based 173rd Airborne Brigade, which only had two active battalions. The 1st-143rd was comprised of mostly Texas-based units with one (Charlie) Company hailing from Rhode Island.

They followed up in 2019 with the 2nd Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, made up of five companies of Nebraska paratroopers and one from Indiana. Confusingly, they were assigned to the Oklahoma Guard’s 45th “Thunderbird” Division. While it would have been logical to align it with the Alaska-based 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division (which included an active-duty airborne battalion, 1st/501st), it seems that was never done.

Now, with the 4th BCT, 25th ID reformed as the very light 11th “Arctic Angels” Airborne Division, which includes two paratrooper battalions and two of “leg” infantry, and the Army looking to reduce the number of parachute-certified (and jump paid) personnel from a somewhat amazing 56,000 to around 33,000 soldiers, the Guard’s two Airborne battalions are losing their wings.

The 2nd-134th Infantry conducted their last jump over the weekend at the Husker Drop Zone. Last month, they made a breathtaking jump in front of Chimney Rock in western Nebraska.

The move is expected to save at least $40 million per year in jump pay alone, not to mention gas in planes/helicopters, and millions in lifecycle costs on the T-11 NMC parachute system.

Plus, the Army says it has a hard time passing enough new personnel through jump school every year, does not have enough assets to conduct the mandatory four jumps a year for everyone to maintain the certification, and has a dearth of empty billets in the parachute rigger specialty. Of note, 92R MOS riggers now have a $22K enlistment bonus. 

On the upside, with the cut in 23,000 para positions, Soldiers in the remaining “priority formations” will see significant increases in training opportunities, with top-tier units executing up to 12 jumps per year—three times the current minimum.

‘They told me you’d never load 8 missiles on an F-15E’

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The USAF recently released an amazing 36-minute doc, “Dangerous Game” about the 13 April 2024 overnight air-to-air swirling fight involving a squadron of F-16Cs (D.C. Air National Guard’s 113th Wing) and two of F-15Es (335th and 494th FS) vs 185 Shahed loitering munitions, followed by at least 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles.

“I can’t emphasize how dangerous this mission set is. At times, I’m 1,000 feet above the ground. Minsafe altitude was 4,000 feet. I am 3,000 feet below the altitude that is going to keep me alive because I can’t see the ground. There’s not enough ambient light.”

They even tried to get a hole-in-one shot on a moving drone with a LJDAM, as they were out of missiles, with the concept of hitting the ground ahead/around the low-flying UAV and knocking it out with the blossom.

Screaming across the desert to get back to base with all their ordnance expended, they wound up flying through a 360-degree hailstorm of Iranian ballistic missiles being launched ahead of them while IDF ABMs were reaching out and intercepting them in flight above them, leaving green flaming shrapnel to rain down on the F-15Es.

Then came 32-minute Integrated Combat Turnarounds (ICT) to get refueled and rearmed aircraft back in the fight– as Iranian missiles were inbound to their base.

It is well worth your time.

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