Here is a sample of some of the comments by the readership on a variety of subjects over the past week.
-- On ADF star-rank numbers:
Bushranger 71
From an operational perspective, Australian forces deployed in Vietnam approximated 8,000 personnel commanded by a 2 Star with a 1 Star deputy commander. A 1 Star Brigadier commanded a 3 battalion brigade within the overall force.
So, if 3 Star rankers were adequate for 8,000 personnel, perhaps about 21 of them would be plenty for a regular force of just 58,000. About 170 of 190 are simply not justifiable.
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Locum
In the armed forces of The Netherlands on average a general commands just 500 persons. The normal number should be 4.000 persons.
For more than a decade, politicians and defense experts regularly complain about too much Flag officers. Unfortunately no Flags are cut. Why? The armed forces are also a organisation of humans, so that means this organisation is like an 'Ape Rock' too. The Dutch had a string of defense cuts since 1991, cutting the number of personnel in total more than 50%. The easiest way of cutting significant numbers of personnel.
Is to send home a lot of 'dressed up apes' at the bottom of the Rock. In the end a general is doing the work of a colonel. Etcetera, etcetera.
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-- Don and Mars on U.S. interference in the Ukraine:
Don Bacon
There is no evidence that Russia wants to take over Ukraine. Its position is for federalization which would protect the rights of ethnic Russians from the neo-Nazi Right Sector that has gained power in Kyev thanks to US promotion of the recent coup d'etat.
The ethnic Russians no taking over the east (and possibly the south to come) are anti-EU, just like Nuland.
Regarding US actions, they are feeble and meaningless. Russia laughs them off, as it should, while watching Ukraine implode thanks to the US misadventures.
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Mars HQ
I accept your views, but perceive them as extremely biased in support of an extremist ideological slant on the current highly complex crisis and tragic conflict. Sorry we'll disagree on this point.
If you wish, I'll be perfectly willing to debate and discuss further, but will continue to reject any absolutist, unilateral ideologically-based views. One could just as well claim the current leadership govt of Kremlin is 'neo-Nazi' and fascist-based too, but that would not in itself lend value to any productive argument and sound discussion (with a reasonable and fair resolution as the goal)..
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-- Matthew and Super on the S-400 SAM system for China:
Matthew Saroff
I figured detection ranges for an S-400 missile based on RCS (http://40yrs.blogspot.com.au/2007/08/russia-to-export-worlds-most-capable.html and http://40yrs.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/why-usaf-should-be-folded-back-into-us.html (Detection is proportional to the 4th root of RCS)
If it can detect an F-15 sized target at 400km, it can detect an F-35 at 40km, and an F-22/B-2 at 23km.
Note that this applies to the high frequency radars. VHF and the like would have a longer detection range.
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Super Rhinoceront
To spend so much money in a design that won't be able to do what it was supposed to do is a total failure.
With the Growlers Jamming the Low and Hi frequency radars and the Super Hornets launching Malds, Decoys, Jsows and anti radiation missiles they can saturate and destroy the air defenses at long distance.
That's what I call intelligent design to do any kind off mission with success and affordable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op3dupMZfz4&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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-- Ospreys in Iraq:
Don Bacon
The Ospreys were in the Iraq combat zone to interdict insurgents and keep them from massing, the leader said. Well, so-called insurgents don't mass. They don't have to, they're everywhere. Especially they are near the roads, which is why expensive aircraft were needed to move troops and supplies. Even more true in Afghanistan.
In this promo video the Ospreys "rose to the challenge" ...two days of uncontested "combat operations" to a lonesome isolated desert compound and an empty cave. Big whoop. Zero results. What did that cost, men and materiel?
I was waiting for the hot LZ scene -- but they weren't THAT stupid. Nevertheless, there are plenty of facts in this video to build many arguments against the Osprey, including that they require armed helicopter escorts as mentioned.
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