More Marines

Hey Everyone

Here's another macro shot we have (from JQ's old camera) of his FOV US marines. In this shot, one DSHCC marine is crouching in the foreground as his comrades are moving into position and taking aim. It is amazing to me how combat movement for infantry was developed over time, to be passed down and modified from generation to generation...

The US Marines have a tradition that stretches back to 1775, when marines were initially deployed as naval soldiers, tasked with several objectives such as boarding other vessels, protecting officers from mutiny...etc. Interestingly, the marines even had their quarters placed between the officers' quarters and the rest of the vessel! Mutinies out at the sea at that time was a very very real risk, since conditions were poor and overpowering a small number of officers wasn't too difficult a thing to do.

Even though the USMC maybe the smallest branch of the Department of Defense, it is still larger than the number of active personnel in the IDF, and even the whole British Army (from Wikipedia)! The USMC is specialized in amphibious warfare, and their ability to quickly deploy in any situation has seen them being actively deployed in all theaters of war the US has engaged in...especially right now as Iraq and Afghanistan have proved to be arenas where quick responses are needed to combat multiple insurgencies. The marines never had a walk in the park wherever they went...

Taking Aim

In this picture we have JQ's FOV US marines, looking at one of the marines who is taking aim with his M16A1. Urban warfare is deadly business. Past experiences have shown that cities make terrible fighting environments (like Stalingrad), and even quick reflexes cannot even save one from death. Survival by chance?

The grenade launcher on the M16A1 gives the infantryman an added edge in combat at the expense of added weight and bulk. Grenades are good for close quarter combat, able to neutralize an area of hostiles with a well placed throw/shot. At least for launchers, the enemy does not have the alternative to throw it back...

For those who played with M16A1s online, some players have exploited the grenade launcher in games, as it really provides a lot of killing power (aka instant kill). One good example I can think of is America's Army, where there's this map two teams start on opposite ends of a bridge. All one guy needed to do was to aim the launcher up at an appropriate height, shoot the grenade. With practice, the grenade can land directly on the other team's spawn point = instantly killing a few enemies at the start of the game.

On the hobby side, I have just finished my spring semester of sophomore year in college, and I will be looking to get an airbrush during the summer. Most probably going to get some acrylic paints and hopefully paint up two projects I have that need to get started: GHQ Soviet tank regiment (T-80 and BMP 3) and a MIG 19 Farmer.

In Fatigues

Hey Everyone

Give a hand to JQ, who has put up posts on the Big E and a little on the modern soldier for all of us! Well, he has once again handed the reins over to me, and I hope we are serving you all well.

For today's post, we will be looking at JQ's Forces of Valor US infantry:

In this picture, we see a lone rifleman with his trusty M4 carbine in the foreground, as his section pours over the urban battlefield for cover. DSHCC (JQ's alternate reality of the US) has been known in history to send troops on foreign deployments on a consistent basis, as the nation attempts to use its military might to combat opposing forces to its constitution, and sustain friendly satellite governments.

It often goes without saying that the assault rifle has truly had a remarkable impact upon infantry combat, and even the history of the world. Its invention has allowed combatants to wield weapons with automatic capabilities that generally light (compared to MGs), powerful, require little training, easy to modify (such as add-ons), cheap to produce (most are, of course there are some real expensive schnazzy ones), and offer a fine balance between range and close combat effectiveness. Assault rifles have become so ubiquitous in their use that it is uncommon to find that is has an overwhelming presence in the media today (news, movies etc.) Let us not forget that this technology has been a legacy of WWII, and even the term 'assault rifle' was coined by Adolf Hitler himself...

The Modern Soldier

Dashland (DSHCC) Troopers in a squad training excercise.

Armed with the latest weaponry and technological system, the Modern Day soldier is in its prime perfection.

This is a shot i have taken with the Battlefield Evolution Soldiers. Although there isnt much distinction from the soldier today in terms of its weaponry and armor as it was from World War 2. The upgrades and material improvements from yester years is phenomenal.

With new technology like GPS positioning system and also thermal and infrared imaging equipment, the common moden day soldier is able to fight more efficiently and direct strike support with precision.

But i must say that the equipment beared by soldiers of different countries are varied. I am pretty sure on a personal account that i wudnt be able to fight efficiently with the weight of the battle gear of a US Army Soldier. I would be slow and easy picking for machine gunners.

Now, its back to Joshua again, who will be doing a month long of post.

Im sure the dude will also be letting in on the stuff he is doing in terms of modern military models or collectibles. So stay tune ;)