Tanks in the midland

[Newboomer]

My son in law drives cross country for UPS. He showed me a disturbing pic today he got from another driver. The driver is a retired Army Ranger and he sent the pic to Paul and told him that he is on 24 hour call for activation. Whenever he crosses a state line he has to call in. The pic is of a trainload of battle tanks somewhere in Iowa destined for a staging area in Nebraska.

He didn't have any more info except to tell Paul to think about preparations for whatever. Redleg, can you or any other military types shed any intel on what's happening?

 

[mdwest]

4th ID out of Ft Carson is mobilizing a couple of brigades … it’s been on the books for more than 6 months and is unrelated to Ukraine… one is headed to Bulgaria.. the other to Poland….

They put armor on rail earlier this week.. I’d bet that’s their gear…

None of this is classified info.. its been in everything from the post newspaper to the internet for a long time..

I was just on a hog hunt last weekend with a young infantry captain that’s part of the deployment.. he went back to Carson to finish getting his soldiers ready to depart..

 

[Safari Dave]

The USA would be absolutely stupid to get involved in this crap by doing anything more than superficial sanctions, that Russia has already figured out a way around months ago with China.

The real warriors in the US military and their families have absolutely NO interest in being involved in a in another war that only benefits US politicians and defense contractors.

If the USA really wants to fight Russia and win, then reinstate the draft. Draft women and the LBGTWTF community and leave the US farm boys and cowboys out of it.

Demonstrate the devesting killing power of the LGBTWTF's commandos.

There are wars and genocide happening in several places in the world right now, but we are only interested when white people are being killed and where US politician's sons are making millions as "consultants" - thanks, but no thanks.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

The USA would be absolutely stupid to get involved in this crap by doing anything more than superficial sanctions, that Russia has already figured out a way around months ago with China.

The real warriors in the US military and their families have absolutely NO interest in being involved in a in another war that only benefits US politicians and defense contractors.

If the USA really wants to fight Russia and win, then reinstate the draft. Draft women and the LBGTWTF community and leave the US farm boys and cowboys out of it.

Demonstrate the devesting killing power of the LGBTWTF's commandos.

There are wars and genocide happening in several places in the world right now, but we are only interested when white people are being killed and where US politician's sons are making millions as "consultants" - thanks, but no thanks.

Why the race again? Vietnam white? Korea white? From where I stand the USaa seems to have an impeccable record of fighting the bad for the good.

 

[Safari Dave]

I wish I could disagree with you.

 

[Safari Dave]

Any room in Zim for an ex-patriated American???

(I'd like to hunt elephants that I could keep)

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Plenty room! SCI or DSC should open a lodge here, with a large hall where visiting American hunters can place their trophies, come and sit in the huge leather chairs, smoke a cigar, enjoy a whisky and admire their very own trophies.

 

[Safari Dave]

I'd like that!

 

[Vashper]

The headquarters of the tank brigade of this division has been in Rzeszow (Poland) for a long time (since 2017), I really don't quite understand why. Of course, such relocations made the Russian leadership a little nervous, but nothing more.
I don't really believe in a massive NATO invasion of Russia a la Napoleon or Hitler, and three American divisions in Poland won't make the weather and there are no plans for a "march on Moscow". Accordingly, it is unlikely that Russian troops will attack the Americans - what do they have nothing else to do? And it is difficult to attack Bulgaria just physically, just look at the map.
In my opinion, these are just gestures aimed at reassuring NATO allies. Although in my opinion it would be quite possible to do with just affectionate words.

 

[spike.t]

The headquarters of the tank brigade of this division has been in Rzeszow (Poland) for a long time (since 2017), I really don't quite understand why. Of course, such relocations made the Russian leadership a little nervous, but nothing more.
I don't really believe in a massive NATO invasion of Russia a la Napoleon or Hitler, and three American divisions in Poland won't make the weather and there are no plans for a "march on Moscow". Accordingly, it is unlikely that Russian troops will attack the Americans - what do they have nothing else to do? And it is difficult to attack Bulgaria just physically, just look at the map.
In my opinion, these are just gestures aimed at reassuring NATO allies. Although in my opinion it would be quite possible to do with just affectionate words.

"Made the Russian leadership a bit nervous"........what bullshit....

 

[Red Leg]

The USA would be absolutely stupid to get involved in this crap by doing anything more than superficial sanctions, that Russia has already figured out a way around months ago with China.

The real warriors in the US military and their families have absolutely NO interest in being involved in a in another war that only benefits US politicians and defense contractors.

If the USA really wants to fight Russia and win, then reinstate the draft. Draft women and the LBGTWTF community and leave the US farm boys and cowboys out of it.

Demonstrate the devesting killing power of the LGBTWTF's commandos.

There are wars and genocide happening in several places in the world right now, but we are only interested when white people are being killed and where US politician's sons are making millions as "consultants" - thanks, but no thanks.

Let me parse this a bit.

I think most thinking people agree directly engaging Russia in Ukraine would be folly.

On the other hand, NATO was created through our leadership and in our national interest at the end of WWII. Since the end of the Spanish American War, the US had become a world power - more importantly a world economic power. Our economy and thus our security was and is dependent upon access to free markets, especially in Europe. Throughout the first half of the twentieth century we tried to ignore that and were dragged into two vast European wars because of it.

At the end of the second one, we were also facing an ascendent Soviet Union fueled by an aggressive ideology occupying half of Germany and essentially all of Central Europe. Both the Marshall Plan and NATO succeeded in rebuilding the Western Democracies and maintaining the peace in Europe throughout the Cold War and the chaos following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Needless to say, the emerging democracies of Central Europe were eager to flourish outside the dominance of Russia - whatever its government.

NATO has worked for three quarters of a century in the collective interests of the member countries. It’s success is the main reason it is called an anachronism by the neo-isolationists on the right and green socialists on the left. I am confident that the US and NATO will defend every inch of the alliance and the dictator in Moscow needs to fully realize it.

Those are indeed elements of the 4th Infantry (Mech), my old division, embarking on a planned deployment. We use to do that annually during the Cold War. This particular one is timely and I hope they move to Poland.

As @Vashper notes just two brigades couldn’t stop a Russian incursion into Poland. But from what I have seen this month, I have no doubt each could destroy a Russian division handily. They know how and have tremendous experience in conducting combined operations.

No “retired” personnel have been notified about anything other than taxes are due. Every year, some reservists are activated for various deployments.

 

[roverandbrew]

No “retired” personnel have been notified about anything other than taxes are due. Every year, some reservists are activated for various deployments.

Agree.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Although in my opinion it would be quite possible to do with just affectionate words.

I guess that's what VP Kamela Harris was attempting with her "A friend in need is a friend indeed" comment.

Didn't go over too good because of her stupid laugh.

 

[revturbo9967]

Let me parse this a bit.

I think most thinking people agree directly engaging Russia in Ukraine would be folly.

On the other hand, NATO was created through our leadership and in our national interest at the end of WWII. Since the end of the Spanish American War, the US had become a world power - more importantly a world economic power. Our economy and thus our security was and is dependent upon access to free markets, especially in Europe. Throughout the first half of the twentieth century we tried to ignore that and were dragged into two vast European wars because of it.

At the end of the second one, we were also facing an ascendent Soviet Union fueled by an aggressive ideology occupying half of Germany and essentially all of Central Europe. Both the Marshall Plan and NATO succeeded in rebuilding the Western Democracies and maintaining the peace in Europe throughout the Cold War and the chaos following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Needless to say, the emerging democracies of Central Europe were eager to flourish outside the dominance of Russia - whatever its government.

NATO has worked for three quarters of a century in the collective interests of the member countries. It’s success is the main reason it is called an anachronism by the neo-isolationists on the right and green socialists on the left. I am confident that the US and NATO will defend every inch of the alliance and the dictator in Moscow needs to fully realize it.

Those are indeed elements of the 4th Infantry (Mech), my old division, embarking on a planned deployment. We use to do that annually during the Cold War. This particular one is timely and I hope they move to Poland.

As @Vashper notes just two brigades couldn’t stop a Russian incursion into Poland. But from what I have seen this month, I have no doubt each could destroy a Russian division handily. They know how and have tremendous experience in conducting combined operations.

No “retired” personnel have been notified about anything other than taxes are due. Every year, some reservists are activated for various deployments.

Do you believe the Russian military in a whole is underwhelming like the media has been showing us the past few weeks? I’ve seen many discussions on their true abilities and it seems they are not what they portray.

 

[Red Leg]

They are clearly struggling to put together a combined arms campaign. Moreover, they seem to have such enormous issues doing the basic blocking and tackling that is the foundation of fundamental American collective training at battalion and below, that I have to question how much they actually do. Their "tactics," devoid of a scout elements, flank security, and a fixation on road networks is what one would expect of a third world military with limited professional skills. I am frankly stunned by this thus far.

Assuming they can maintain discipline of their force, they can still mass significant indirect firepower and try to bludgeon Kiev and the other cities into submission. I would note, they have had the relatively small city of Mariupol under such an attack for more than a week and they are still unable to take it. They seem to have given up on Kharkov for the time being which is much larger. Kiev is 350 square miles in size. It is worth studying the battles of Stalingrad and Leningrad. Enormous advantages rest with the defender in such an urban battle - particularly against a mechanized foe.

So yes. I have been stunned by their incompetence.

 

[revturbo9967]

They are clearly struggling to put together a combined arms campaign. Moreover, they seem to have such enormous issues doing the basic blocking and tackling that is the foundation of fundamental American collective training at battalion and below, that I have to question how much they actually do. Their "tactics," devoid of a scout elements, flank security, and a fixation on road networks is what one would expect of a third world military with limited professional skills. I am frankly stunned by this thus far.

Assuming they can maintain discipline of their force, they can still mass significant indirect firepower and try to bludgeon Kiev and the other cities into submission. I would note, they have had the relatively small city of Mariupol under such an attack for more than a week and they are still unable to take it. They seem to have given up on Kharkov for the time being which is much larger. Kiev is 350 square miles in size. It is worth studying the battles of Stalingrad and Leningrad. Enormous advantages rest with the defender in such an urban battle - particularly against a mechanized foe.

So yes. I have been stunned by their incompetence.

Thank you for the insight

 

[Newboomer]

Good to get some straight scoop.

 

[flatwater bill]

Good to hear some insightful comments on this topic. This war is vastly more complex than "Putin is a bad guy, and we are good guys". It could easily spiral out of control. Mainstream media and Washington "leadership" have a lot of vested interests...many of which are not parallel to the average American's interests. More specifically, it is making the planning of my upcoming Africa trip a little more difficult, (and it is making the struggling third World even poorer) .....thanks for posting...FWB

 

[Red Leg]

It doesn't matter what you think of Anderson Cooper or David Petraeus. You will not find a retired soldier who better understands operational level combat. He and I are of the same year group but were in different parts of the Army. He also did better than I did.

The interview gives a good, timely assessment of where we currently are in the fight.

 

[yhc]

Thanks for the link and your thoughtful insights, @Red Leg.