Tuesday, July 31, 2012

How About a WWII Hawker Hurricat Strategy For Special Forces With Jet Man Wings?

Back in World War II Britain was being challenged by German U-boats preventing supplies from getting in, and because it was unable to trade with the rest of Europe the people had to severely ration their food supply. Luckily, the United States was able to send convoys of ships with supplies, but unfortunately they were also being sought by the German U-boats, and later German bombers.

Since the British didn't have any aircraft carriers, and even if they did they wouldn't last long with German U-boats submarines around, they had to come up with a plan to prevent the German bombers from attacking those ship convoys bringing armament and food. What they did is they took a Hawker hurricane and mounted it with a rocket motor so it could take off from a rail attached to a slingshot catapult from a ship. The aircraft would rev-up, ignite the rocket motor, and they would initiate the catapult.

The aircraft would then use the rocket assist to quickly gain altitude and the aircraft would then go after the German bombers. They called this the aircraft; The Hurricat. The aircraft would then have to land back in the water and ditch, but every time he shut down a German bomber it saved the convoy of supply ships from destruction. Okay so, what if we took this basic strategy and used it for Special Forces operations?

What if we took Navy SEALs and strapped on "Jet Man" wings on each one of them, allowed them to take off from a rail system very similar - then fly up to altitude and 10-15 miles to where they needed to be, and then pulled the parachute? This would allow them to fly into dangerous areas very rapidly, and since the Jet Man wings are so small they would hardly appear on radar, and very difficult to shoot down as they are so maneuverable. This would get them into where they needed to be to do what it is they need to do.

Such a system could be mounted on a very small assault vessel, a small destroyer, or even on the outside of a submarine. Although the extraction might be a more difficult strategy, this would allow them to get in without the use of helicopters, and at a very rapid speed. It could perhaps be a brilliant tactic if it were played correctly. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it, and if you have any comments or questions please shoot me an e-mail.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Special Forces Challenge Coins Recognize the Performance of an Elite Group

The Special Forces are specialists in their field and are often given the Special Forces Challenge Coin in recognition for their expertise and dedication. The coins are manufactured in various sizes, shapes, designs and are similar to challenge coins given to other members of the military except there is an even deeper meaning for those who receive them.

The Special Forces challenge coins are given to military members who provide numerous services including hostage rescue, counter-terrorism operations, surveillance and recovery of military information in hostile situations and demolition missions. In addition to the risk that is experienced by members of the military on regular missions, the elite members that perform high-risk missions are honored for their contributions with these coins.

Special Operations Units

Army Rangers, Green Berets and Delta Force, the Navy SEALS, the Marine's Force Recon and Scout Snipers and the Air Force's Pararescuemen are just a few of the special operations units of the military. Special Forces provide their services during peace and wartime. As a way of honoring their unique talents and the 'behind the scenes' duties that are performed, Special Forces challenge coins are given.

Representing a Bond

The coins represent much more than belonging to a particular group. Because these members often work very closely and have to rely on each other in areas where total isolation is necessary, they develop a special bond. This bond quite frequently extends to their personal life long after their military service is completed. The coins received may contain anything that has a special meaning to the members of the group. This includes text or an insignia representing their branch of the military.

They may also include a motto or other saying that is specific to the group. One type is the Green Beret challenge coin. It features a green beret, a sword and the words, "De Oppresso Liber" at the top and "Liberate from Oppression" at the bottom. Another type includes 'U.S. Army Special Forces" on the coin. There are older vintage Special Forces challenge coins that are highly regarded by collectors. They are made from silver and bronze.

The coins may also contain emblems and the words, "Duty, Honor, Country and Proudly Served." Others have theU.S.flag and an eagle. The coins can vary according to the preference of the person who is having them made. Their main objective is to convey the camaraderie among the members of the group and to commemorate the time shared and missions accomplished.

The Special Forces challenge coin is one of the most highly regarded coins of members of the military. Those who receive these coins are courageous, dedicated to serving their country and committed to protecting the safety of the U.S.as well as their fellow members. Family members preserve the coins and their meaning to hand down from one generation to the next as a symbol of the bravery of grandfathers, fathers, sons and uncles.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Best Practices for Enhancing Military Logistics Strategies

Military logistics strategies are based on the idea that a working navy is only as good as the equipment that they have available. This is more than just supply lines and getting equipment to the sailors that need it; it is making sure that the equipment that they have is the most up-to-date and that it works. This is not only necessary for success, but the lives of those that must use the equipment; a faulty valve can not just wreck a valuable piece of equipment but also kill. Because of this there are several strategies that can be employed to ensure that people have the equipment that they need.

The most basic logistics strategy is to maintain a solid inventory. This means that a ship's quartermaster must be aware of his ship's inventory, and what it lacks according to the ship's manifest. He must also allow for estimated need; if the ship is going into battle, he must have additional spare parts for the weapons as well as ammunition. By maintaining his inventory, and doing precisely, he is able to meet demand before there is a demand. More to the point, the more quartermasters that do so allow the fleet quartermaster to better allow for demand himself; this means that he will not need to emergency order anything and that the logistics officer has a simpler job maintaining a good running delivery system.

Supply lines must also be clear. This can be an obvious problem during battle, but this can be a problem when your targets are constantly on the move. This means that you need to either keep your bases over-stocked, or that you need a way of precisely estimating when your ships can be stocked as requested. A ship that is delayed because it is waiting on a shipment can be bad, especially if it needs to be somewhere else. It is simply more efficient to know where a ship will be, and then make sure that the shipment gets there just ahead of the ship.

By following these strategies anyone in a working navy can be assured that they have the best equipment available, and equipment that they are proficient in its use and maintenance. Some of these may take time and changing of attitudes in order to implement, but that is effort well spent. More importantly, it helps increase the likelihood of any mission being successful, and with minimal casualties, which is precisely what the best military logistics are based on.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Syrian's Russian Made Military Helicopters Used to Slaughter Resistance Considered

Well, I can tell you that our think tank has been saying that Syria's civil unrest issue is now a civil war, and it has been since this time last year. The number of people that have lost their lives is now in the tens of thousands, and both sides are taking huge casualties, not just the civilians or the rebels. Syria is now using helicopter gunships to go after the resistance, and they've also used fighter planes to target certain buildings known to have housed the rebels, but probably also hundreds of civilians in the cross-fire, or without regard. The bloodshed is getting out of control.

Of course, all these issues were pretty much forewarned when Russia said it was bringing more military helicopters to Syria. The Syrian military already has a number of Russian-made helicopters, and these helicopter gunships are ominous, and they are pure unadulterated killing machines. That's what they're made for, and that's what they're good at. There is a very good book you can read on this topic, I've read it myself. The name of the book is; "Soviet Helicopters: Design, Development and Tactics," by John Everett-Heath.

In this book you will find all the performance data, armaments, and abilities of these Russian-made gunship helicopters, and you'll begin to see what I'm talking about. If this continues without the rebels having handheld or shoulder launched surface-to-air missiles then many of those rebels will be slaughtered. Of course, if the rebels are given armaments of this type, and the Assad regime falls, there is a chance that Al Qaeda will take over or gain a stronghold, and if so they will end up with the rebel's shoulder launched missiles which are unused at that point, along with Syrian's stockpile of chemical weapons. Not too funny I'd say.

Do you remember how the freedom fighters of Afghanistan had these types of shoulder launched missiles to shoot down the Russian helicopter gunships? Those were supplied by the US military, or so the rumor goes through the CIA. Al Qaeda knows how to use them, and Osama bin Laden was a member and at one time a leader of that group of freedom fighters. Are we going to see history repeat if we arm the rebels? What's really going on there?

We can't actually know by watching the news media, but you can bet military intelligence and our CIA are on top of it. The outcome for Syria's Civil War is just one click on the other side of extremely serious. As the history unfolds in the summer of 2012, we will soon find what this means for the rest of the region, and all of Syria's neighbors - and inevitably the world. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Body Armor Throughout the Years

Origin of Body Armor

Body armor, or oftentimes called personal armor, is a type of clothing used to protect the body from unwanted damages such as blunt force traumas or lacerations. Historically, they were first used by soldiers but since then have developed throughout time. Body armors in western history can date back from the Mycenaean era where chain mails were used. Whereas in East Asia, its inhibitors has adapted the use of lamellar, eventually influencing the Japanese's still-famous samurai armor.

One of the factors that were considered of its development can be attributed to the type of market that benefits from armor production. The market has to be considered because body armors are not only used in battle, even if it was the primary reason for its invention. In the modern setting, it is not anymore limited to military purposes. Body armors can now be seen in a wide variety of sports especially the extreme and dangerous kind. Football players have been using these armors, from back and spine protectors and pads to chest and rib protectors. Extreme sports like snowboarding use performance jackets and protective snow vests, an example that these armors are also used to protect athletes from extreme weather conditions. But don't mistake that these armors are only used for outdoor sports; It has also been widely used in hockey, martial arts, and roller derbies.

Bullet Proof Vests in Modern Times

Another factor that was considered for the development of body armors is the threat that the users are trying to protect themselves from, more specifically military users and the enemies and weapons they face in combat. It has been observed that throughout history, body armours developed in parallel to the development of the weapons used in combat. As the weapons improved in gun power in the battlefield, the armors have improved to increase better protection but without the expense of mobility. That is why the material used in armor production has changed drastically from its first invention, from the use of metal plates to fibers. Nondescript armors are also advantageous to the market where they are used for personal reasons or for bodyguards.

Kevlar is now the most commonly known component used in body armors and bullet proof vest since they are bullet resistant. They were used by the United States military forces since the early 1980's. Now, they are still widely used by police officers, security personnel, SWAT and FBI teams. Kevlar is also used as a protection gear that can be used in emergencies, especially those that involve high heat. Even civilians, like motorcycle riders also use them to prevent abrasion injuries.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Bulletproof Vest: An Introduction

What are Bulletproof Vests?

Bulletproof vests or ballistic vests are sometimes called bullet resistant vests because it is inaccurate to refer to them as "bulletproof" due to increasing and varying types of projectile. This term implies that the vest can protect the user from every firearm threat, so the term bullet resistant is generally preferred. These vests are usually worn in the torso area. This form of body armors serves as protection because it can absorb impact from unwanted objects that come from firearms and bombs.

Types and Materials Used

There are different kinds of bulletproof vests. To determine which kind of vest to use could depend on the kind of damage the person is expecting to encounter. Soft vests, which are commonly being used by security guards, bodyguards, civilians and the police, are fabricated using several layers of woven or laminated fibers. This kind of vest has the ability to protect the user from less severe small-caliber weapons such as handgun and shotgun bullets or smaller fragments from hand grenade explosions.

Furthermore, added material can be integrated into theses vests for better protection using metal or ceramic plates. Hard-plated reinforced vests are commonly used by units with a more extreme and dangerous job description like the military combat soldiers, police tactical and hostage rescue teams. The additional metal or ceramic plates are more effective in protecting the wearer from more serious and aggressive damages. These would include rifle rounds and stabbing or slashing attacks from sharp objects. Protection in their line of work is not limited to bulletproof vests though. Nowadays, other items of protection are also implemented and they can be seen using combat helmets, ballistic shoulder and side protection armor components. On a more serious note, bomb officers oftentimes even use helmets with face visors and spine protection with their heavy armor.

How These Protective Gears Operate

Even though bullet proof vests can prevent bullet penetration, it can still cause damage to the wearer because of blunt force trauma. These vests operate in a way that the fibers merely deform the approaching bullet into a dish shape where its force is distributed on a large area of the fiber material. The deformation enables the bullet to stop before it can completely penetrate and go through the material. Only a few layers of the material can be penetrated by the vest thus absorbing the energy. Nevertheless, the wearer can still absorb partial energy from the bullet and can cause enough impact that can result to trauma. That is why there are vest specifications that give the user details, both on the penetration resistance requirements and the limits on the amount of impact energy that can be brought to the body.