Future soldiers may be wearing ‘Iron Man’ suits 

Raytheon has developed a XOS-2 exoskeleton “Iron Man” suit, which they hope to deploy to the field no later than 2015 – the initial application is to support material handling and logistics.  It’s incredulous the amount of science and technology creative energy being expended on this project when the obvious emphasis should be placed on improving core soldier platforms (i.e. Body Armor, Helmet, Carbine, Side Arm, and Combat Boots) of which we have seen little improvement?

 Consider smaller Afghan force: US panel 

A Council of Foreign Relations task force released its anticipated study on the war in Afghanistan – bottomline, these experts recommend that if the US reaches a point this summer in 2011 where there is not significant progress and “not working”, then a “more significant drawdown will be warranted.”

Key highlights:

• “The task force endorses strategies for Pakistan and Afghanistan that place severe demands on the American people. The task force does so knowing that, at best, the margin for US victory is likely to be slim.”
• “If progress is being made, the United States should be able to draw down its forces starting in July 2011, based on conditions on the ground.”
• “However, if US efforts are not working, a more significant drawdown to a narrower mission that emphasizes counter-terror objectives with fewer US forces will be warranted.”

The new date to watch in Afghanistan: 2014

 July 2011?  Forget about it…

Stamp released in honor of Beetle Bailey

 If you still use snail mail and you are writing a letter to a deployed trooper, brighten up his day and use a Beetle Bailey stamp.