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Posted: 3/24/2013 1:24:34 PM EDT
[#1]
Didn't realize the AA-52 was still being used as anything other than a vehicle-mounted machine gun.
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Posted: 3/26/2013 2:16:13 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted: Didn't realize the AA-52 was still being used as anything other than a vehicle-mounted machine gun. It shouldn't     |
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Posted: 3/26/2013 2:18:48 PM EDT
[#3]
It's striking to me how effective the French camo is in this environment.
Both the vehicles and the people. And none of their patterns are particularly high tech or trendy. |
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Posted: 3/26/2013 2:23:20 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted: It's striking to me how effective the French camo is in this environment. Both the vehicles and the people. And none of their patterns are particularly high tech or trendy. Yep but they are mostly covered by dirt  .More seriously you are right, nothing trendy here, the desert camo is called "daguet" and it was made for the troops involved in the Gulf war of 91. |
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Posted: 3/26/2013 2:28:53 PM EDT
[#5]
I got to shoot one of the few that was actually imported to the states. At the time, I thought it was ok - I only got to put a couple of magazines through it. From what I recalled it wasn't flimsy at all. Maybe when they went mass produced, they went cheap on them. Or maybe my memory wasn't that good. I just didn't have a negative impression, and they didn't seem to have the teething problems the SA-80 had, which I wanted one until the problems came to light.
I guess I'll chalk it up to not remembering. Quoted:
Quoted:
They're actually decent rifles and well built. They're kind of ugly, but they are the ugly that speaks usage. Quoted:
Quoted:
Sure would like to have a few of those FAMAS rifles. Why? No, no they are not. Have you shot them? I have. They are garbage. Stamped flimsy dogshit. The safety and the selector are seperate levers and one of them is in your fucking armpit. Mag changes are a fucking clown show. The trigger is like a caulking gun. The sight radius is short and the sights are very high above the bore. M855 will beat them to death. French ammo is downloaded so far it will barely cycle an HK416 or a dirty M4. I've shot the FAMAS and a lot of french 5.56. Total fucking garbage. |
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Posted: 3/27/2013 3:55:48 PM EDT
[#6]
Credit : EMA / ECPAD and air-defense.net
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Posted: 3/28/2013 11:10:42 AM EDT
[#7]
 Unlucky guys:         |
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Posted: 3/28/2013 11:43:51 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Don't hate him, they don't teach much European history on this side of the pond anymore.
Quoted:
What are they doing over there? The French never win! Give up now. Twat alert $10 says he doesn't know what "La Gloire" is (without going to google) or why its relevant to the entirety of modern Western thought and history. Hey, it took a while, but at least they got over the whole "red pants = esprit" thing... |
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Posted: 3/28/2013 11:55:57 AM EDT
[#9]
Are those AA-52s still in 7.5 French?
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Posted: 3/28/2013 12:10:41 PM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
It's striking to me how effective the French camo is in this environment. Both the vehicles and the people. And none of their patterns are particularly high tech or trendy. I noticed that too - although the photography could account for some of that. |
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Posted: 3/28/2013 12:16:14 PM EDT
[#12]
I have to wonder what they might have learned/copied from U.S. wars in sandy places since the first gulf war?
I noticed: -NVG mounts on most helmets -lights and optics on most rifles/FAMAS thingies -dust coverings everywhere - particularly on gogles. Were those features omni-present among the French troopers in 1980? |
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Posted: 3/28/2013 12:18:26 PM EDT
[#13]
One striking thing to me about the French Army is that it is well designed for expeditionary warfare. It is has substantial organic fire support, lots of lightweight, wheeled vehicles, well designed gear, a willingness to allow troops to lighten up their armor and kit for the situation at hand, and a very professional "look." I know people hate on France and its army, but it is probably the most expeditionary and capable in Europe today, with Germany and the UK being neck and neck.
The US with its behemoth M2 Bradleys, Abrams tanks, and even overly heavy Stryker vehicles could learn a lot from the design concepts of the AMX-10, VBL, Panahard Sagahie, and the like. There is nothing wrong with heavy forces. But a small, air-transportable, but capable and expeditionary force is going to be the best thing 90% of the time. This is the kind of military you need in places like Somalia and Iraq and Afghanistan. Further, lightness has its own benefits, even if it entails slightly less force protection. You can get where you need to get, and firepower and maneuver and aggression can make up the rest of the difference. Our military in the US is a bit too hidebound to being heavy, focused on equal and heavily armored forces, when something like the French gear and expediationary units--Paras, Marsouins, 2nd REP, Legionaiires--are better equipped for the likely threat. The Marines, 82nd Airborne, old 9th Infantry Division and 10th Mountain are well equipped in this regard, but lighter, C-130 transportable direct fire ability and lightweight armored Recon ability is what is most notably missing. |
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Posted: 3/28/2013 12:28:40 PM EDT
[#15]
Quoted: One striking thing to me about the French Army is that it is well designed for expeditionary warfare. It is has substantial organic fire support, lots of lightweight, wheeled vehicles, well designed gear, a willingness to allow troops to lighten up their armor and kit for the situation at hand, and a very professional "look." I know people hate on France and its army, but it is probably the most expeditionary and capable in Europe today, with Germany and the UK being neck and neck. The US with its behemoth M2 Bradleys, Abrams tanks, and even overly heavy Stryker vehicles could learn a lot from the design concepts of the AMX-10, VBL, Panahard Sagahie, and the like. There is nothing wrong with heavy forces. But a small, air-transportable, but capable and expeditionary force is going to be the best thing 90% of the time. This is the kind of military you need in places like Somalia and Iraq and Afghanistan. Further, lightness has its own benefits, even if it entails slightly less force protection. You can get where you need to get, and firepower and maneuver and aggression can make up the rest of the difference. Our military in the US is a bit too hidebound to being heavy, focused on equal and heavily armored forces, when something like the French gear and expediationary units--Paras, Marsouins, 2nd REP, Legionaiires--are better equipped for the likely threat. The Marines, 82nd Airborne, old 9th Infantry Division and 10th Mountain are well equipped in this regard, but lighter, C-130 transportable direct fire ability and lightweight armored Recon ability is what is most notably missing. Tactics and equipment perfected by the Rhodesians. |
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Posted: 3/28/2013 12:48:51 PM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
Quoted:
It's striking to me how effective the French camo is in this environment. Both the vehicles and the people. And none of their patterns are particularly high tech or trendy. Yep but they are mostly covered by dirt .
More seriously you are right, nothing trendy here, the desert camo is called "daguet" and it was made for the troops involved in the Gulf war of 91. This shouldn't be too surprising. The eyeball didn't change in the last 30 years and neither did the basic colors and shapes of nature. All this pixelated camo is a little bit overdone in my opinion. MARPAT is good, but the lack of macro patterns seems dumb. I think ATACS FG, or Multicam, or old school Rhodesian works better. It's telling that the winner of the contest that was un-chosen before ACU was picked was something called All Over Brush,w hich basically looks like Rhodesian Camo, and Rhodie camo is itself derived from the WWII British "Denison" Smock. Camo that works shouldn't be changed every few years just for the fuck of it, but that's what the Army did in 2003, and it's probably cost more than a few lives. Old Woodland and DCU combo are better than the ACU crap. If I were DOD secretary I'd mandate ATACS desert and ATACS FG for all services, Coyote deuce gear, and call it a day. |
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Posted: 3/28/2013 12:50:46 PM EDT
[#17]
Tactics and equipment perfected by the Rhodesians.
True that. They had African COIN warfare down pretty good, but demographics and the entire Western World were against them. Bloody shame. And we got the "victory" of Mugabe as a result. |
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Posted: 3/28/2013 4:44:39 PM EDT
[#19]
This thread rocks.
Definitely not somewhere I'd want to fight. Good luck and Godspeed to the French, Malians, and Chadians (and support). Anyone know what French units are there? I've seen 2e REP, 17e RGP, 2e RIMa, Commandos de Marine, CPA 10, 5e RHC, supporting Armée de l'Air units, one of the RPIMa's. Who else? As good as the AA-52 was (50 years ago), I can't believe that it's still in use. 
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Posted: 3/29/2013 3:57:16 AM EDT
[#21]
Quoted:
As good as the AA-52 was (50 years ago), I can't believe that it's still in use. The MG 42 is still in use. If they have spares on hand, I can't fault them for continuing to get use out of them. Of course, I'm not carrying the thing in +110F heat. 
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Posted: 3/29/2013 4:13:49 AM EDT
[#22]
Quoted: I have to wonder what they might have learned/copied from U.S. wars in sandy places since the first gulf war? I noticed: -NVG mounts on most helmets -lights and optics on most rifles/FAMAS thingies -dust coverings everywhere - particularly on gogles. Were those features omni-present among the French troopers in 1980? well those features definitely weren't omnipresent among US troops in 1980, 1990, or 2000 and OMG they allowed to roll their sleeves in a hot environment?! they must not as HSLD as US troops that arent allowed to  |
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Posted: 3/29/2013 4:17:39 AM EDT
[#23]
Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: It's striking to me how effective the French camo is in this environment. Both the vehicles and the people. And none of their patterns are particularly high tech or trendy. Yep but they are mostly covered by dirt .More seriously you are right, nothing trendy here, the desert camo is called "daguet" and it was made for the troops involved in the Gulf war of 91. This shouldn't be too surprising. The eyeball didn't change in the last 30 years and neither did the basic colors and shapes of nature. All this pixelated camo is a little bit overdone in my opinion. MARPAT is good, but the lack of macro patterns seems dumb. I think ATACS FG, or Multicam, or old school Rhodesian works better. It's telling that the winner of the contest that was un-chosen before ACU was picked was something called All Over Brush,w hich basically looks like Rhodesian Camo, and Rhodie camo is itself derived from the WWII British "Denison" Smock. Camo that works shouldn't be changed every few years just for the fuck of it, but that's what the Army did in 2003, and it's probably cost more than a few lives. Old Woodland and DCU combo are better than the ACU crap. If I were DOD secretary I'd mandate ATACS desert and ATACS FG for all services, Coyote deuce gear, and call it a day. MARPAT/CADPAT (and other 1st gen digital patterns) definitely do use both micro and macro patterns. other pattens since then have of course improved on the design |
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Posted: 3/29/2013 4:36:33 AM EDT
[#24]
Quoted: This thread rocks. Definitely not somewhere I'd want to fight. Good luck and Godspeed to the French, Malians, and Chadians (and support). Anyone know what French units are there? I've seen 2e REP, 17e RGP, 2e RIMa, Commandos de Marine, CPA 10, 5e RHC, supporting Armée de l'Air units, one of the RPIMa's. Who else? As good as the AA-52 was (50 years ago), I can't believe that it's still in use. According to wikipedia: The following units of the French Army are currently in Mali:
The French Navy deployed five Breguet Atlantic long-range reconnaissance aircraft operating from Dakar in Senegal and transported two companies of the 92nd Infantry Regiment along with their equipment and military materiel on the Mistral class amphibious assault ship Dixmude from Toulon to Dakar in Senegal. The Dixmude was escorted on her journey by the D'Estienne d'Orves class corvette Le Hénaff. Special Forces
I'm going to search better (and updated) sources. |
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Posted: 3/29/2013 7:28:15 AM EDT
[#25]
Outstanding, You rock, dewoitine
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Posted: 4/1/2013 1:07:40 PM EDT
[#27]
Merci beaucoup, à travers ce topic, d'aider nos amis Américains à comprendre que nous sommes toujours dans le même camp!
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Posted: 4/1/2013 1:20:17 PM EDT
[#28]
I spy a Magpul.
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Posted: 4/1/2013 2:02:39 PM EDT
[#29]
Those guys are living the dream right now and I doubt half of them know it.
Good hunting. |
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Posted: 4/2/2013 9:05:32 AM EDT
[#30]
Quoted:
Merci beaucoup, à travers ce topic, d'aider nos amis Américains à comprendre que nous sommes toujours dans le même camp! Yup, people tend to forget that we'd be sipping tea and eating crumpets instead of swilling beer and eating hot dogs if it wern't for the French. 
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Posted: 4/2/2013 10:48:18 AM EDT
[#31]
Damn, those guys must be hungry. I haven't seen one loaf of French bread. |
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Posted: 4/2/2013 12:59:07 PM EDT
[#32]
...et encore plus heureux de constater qu'on parle encore le Français en Louisiane!
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Posted: 4/2/2013 3:05:12 PM EDT
[#33]
Quoted:
Damn, those guys must be hungry. I haven't seen one loaf of French bread. Their rations put our MREs to shame. |
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Posted: 4/3/2013 4:03:20 AM EDT
[#34]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Damn, those guys must be hungry. I haven't seen one loaf of French bread. Their rations put our MREs to shame. +1 Some one once did a great thread comparing all of them. The French were like gourmet meals, red wine included. |
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Posted: 4/3/2013 11:56:20 AM EDT
[#35]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Damn, those guys must be hungry. I haven't seen one loaf of French bread. Their rations put our MREs to shame. Agreed --- I've tried them (and actually have two sitting on a ration display shelf in my office). Although, the cans / tins of some of their foods are on the small side....but what a variety! |
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Posted: 4/3/2013 12:26:45 PM EDT
[#36]
Quoted:
And a fucking shame, some troops are stuck with the AA-52 instead of the M249 http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/894023_509701879075542_679674751_o.jpg Whats wrong with the AA-52? |
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Posted: 4/3/2013 12:32:37 PM EDT
[#37]
These videos deserve to be in this thread. Some pretty intense fighting action caught on video and also portrays just how inept the Mali Army is.
http://www.vice.com/en_uk/ground-zero/mali http://www.vice.com/en_uk/ground-zero/mali-part-2 |
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Posted: 4/4/2013 1:36:10 PM EDT
[#38]
Unless Islamists had air support, I really don't know what Malian soldiers were shooting at...
Quoted:
These videos deserve to be in this thread. Some pretty intense fighting action caught on video and also portrays just how inept the Mali Army is. http://www.vice.com/en_uk/ground-zero/mali http://www.vice.com/en_uk/ground-zero/mali-part-2 |
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Posted: 4/6/2013 5:59:04 PM EDT
[#39]
A member of the 'Berets rouge' a Mali's special paratroopers unit stands guard in a street of Gao, on April 5, 2013. The United Nations expressed concern over reprisal attacks against ethnic Tuaregs and Arabs in Mali, where a French-led intervention recently routed Islamist rebels.
Members of the 'Berets rouge', a Mali's special paratroopers unit, are pictured in a street of Gao, on April 5, 2013. The United Nations expressed concern over reprisal attacks against ethnic Tuaregs and Arabs in Mali, where a French-led intervention recently routed Islamist rebels.
A French soldier rests eyed by children after a patrol in a street of Gao, on April 5, 2013. The United Nations expressed concern over reprisal attacks against ethnic Tuaregs and Arabs in Mali, where a French-led intervention recently routed Islamist rebels.
A French soldier patrols in armoured vehicle in a street of Gao, on April 5, 2013. The United Nations expressed concern over reprisal attacks against ethnic Tuaregs and Arabs in Mali, where a French-led intervention recently routed Islamist rebels.
A French soldier keeps a lookout next to children in a street of Gao, on April 5, 2013. The United Nations expressed concern over reprisal attacks against ethnic Tuaregs and Arabs in Mali, where a French-led intervention recently routed Islamist rebels.
A French soldier stands guard in a street of Gao, on April 5, 2013. The United Nations expressed concern over reprisal attacks against ethnic Tuaregs and Arabs in Mali, where a French-led intervention recently routed Islamist rebels.
A deminor of the French army is at work in Gao, on April 5, 2013. The United Nations expressed concern over reprisal attacks against ethnic Tuaregs and Arabs in Mali, where a French-led intervention recently routed Islamist rebels.
Deminors of the French army are at work in a street of Gao, on April 5, 2013. The United Nations expressed concern over reprisal attacks against ethnic Tuaregs and Arabs in Mali, where a French-led intervention recently routed Islamist rebels.
Deminors of the French army are at work at an archeological site of Gao, on April 5, 2013. The United Nations expressed concern over reprisal attacks against ethnic Tuaregs and Arabs in Mali, where a French-led intervention recently routed Islamist rebels.
Deminors of the French army are at work at an archeological site of Gao, on April 5, 2013.
A French soldier patrols with Kappa , a bomb snifing dog in a street of Gao, on April 5, 2013. The United Nations expressed concern over reprisal attacks against ethnic Tuaregs and Arabs in Mali, where a French-led intervention recently routed Islamist rebels.
French soldiers drink water after a patrol in a street of Gao, on April 5, 2013. The United Nations expressed concern over reprisal attacks against ethnic Tuaregs and Arabs in Mali, where a French-led intervention recently routed Islamist rebels.
A French soldier keeps a lookout in a street of Gao, on April 5, 2013. The United Nations expressed concern over reprisal attacks against ethnic Tuaregs and Arabs in Mali, where a French-led intervention recently routed Islamist rebels.
French troops at Gao's port near the Niger river on April 4, 2013.
French snipers keep a lookout on a roof at Gao's port near the Niger river on April 4, 2013.
French snipers keep a lookout on a roof at Gao's port near the Niger river on April 4, 2013. The United Nations expressed concern over reprisal attacks against ethnic Tuaregs and Arabs in Mali, where a French-led intervention recently routed Islamist rebels.
French snipers survey Gao's port from a roof near the Niger river on April 4, 2013. The United Nations expressed concern over reprisal attacks against ethnic Tuaregs and Arabs in Mali, where a French-led intervention recently routed Islamist rebels.
French soldiers patrol on at Gao's port near the Niger river on April 4, 2013 The United Nations expressed concern over reprisal attacks against ethnic Tuaregs and Arabs in Mali, where a French-led intervention recently routed Islamist rebels.
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Posted: 4/6/2013 7:48:16 PM EDT
[#40]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
not French but interesting AK... and rails on the stock?
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8324/8422008894_30c654f371_o.jpg I wonder how many AK guys just puked after seeing that 7.62 bakelite on a Tapco fucked AK? Really? That guy is actually fighting a war with his AK and all you can think about are the accesories he is using? Took the words out of my mouth. An AK used in actual combat as it was intended being criticized for not being ready for a Arfcom photo shoot. |
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Posted: 4/6/2013 7:59:14 PM EDT
[#41]
That .50 M2HB with the rigid feed chute looks very hard to reload as the gunner would have to turn side ways and expose himself while working the belt through the feed chute. Small ammo can too |
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Posted: 4/7/2013 3:52:58 AM EDT
[#42]
French Forces during Operations Doro3, during this operations nearly a dozen terrorists were neutralized and a large quantity of weapons and ammunition including 2 14.5mm Heavy Machine Guns were found in the vilages of Zekouan, and Teurteli Temuy – Mali - 12th to 17th March 2012
Photo Crédit : EMA/ECPAD 
French soldiers patrol in the Terz valley, about 60 km (37 miles) south of the town of Tessalit in northern Mali March 20, 2013. *******/Francois Rihouay
Ivorian soldiers take part in a training with French troops in Toumodi, before their departure to Mali, April 6, 2013. *******/Luc Gnago
French soldiers train Ivorian troops in Toumodi, before Ivorian troops depart for Mali, April 6, 2013. *******/Luc Gnago
French soldiers take part in a training with Ivorian troops in Toumodi, before Ivorian troops depart for Mali, April 6, 2013. *******/Luc Gnago
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Posted: 4/13/2013 5:24:56 AM EDT
[#43]
Tactical flip-flops:
 Love this pic:   Captured stockpiles:        VAB with 20mm:  C-160 transall     Some French troops are already leaving Mali, in the next months only 1,000 will stay there (with air support). |
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Posted: 4/13/2013 8:23:31 AM EDT
[#44]
This one is rather nice too:
 |
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Posted: 4/13/2013 8:57:54 AM EDT
[#45]
Quoted:
These videos deserve to be in this thread. Some pretty intense fighting action caught on video and also portrays just how inept the Mali Army is. http://www.vice.com/en_uk/ground-zero/mali http://www.vice.com/en_uk/ground-zero/mali-part-2 Excellent videos! Also, the photo updates are awesome, I enjoy seeing them. |
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Posted: 4/13/2013 10:10:11 AM EDT
[#46]
Quoted: Quoted: These videos deserve to be in this thread. Some pretty intense fighting action caught on video and also portrays just how inept the Mali Army is. http://www.vice.com/en_uk/ground-zero/mali http://www.vice.com/en_uk/ground-zero/mali-part-2 Excellent videos! Also, the photo updates are awesome, I enjoy seeing them. Yup (as often) VICE did an amazing job. Obviously Malian soldiers are not skilled but at least they are willing to fight and that's a good point. |
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Posted: 4/17/2013 12:34:57 PM EDT
[#47]
Vice released the part 3 of the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wMI7VUSIouk The Malian Bagdhad bob with the red beard has been killed since then. |
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Posted: 4/17/2013 4:56:58 PM EDT
[#48]
Quoted: Vice released the part 3 of the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wMI7VUSIouk The Malian Bagdhad bob with the red beard has been killed since then. The soldier they interview with the cocked M9 in his chest rig is very well spoken. I would buy that dude a cold one or three. |
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Posted: 4/21/2013 8:40:44 AM EDT
[#49]
VBL porn
  After Klendathu, Tatooine     |
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Posted: 4/21/2013 10:08:13 AM EDT
[#50]
Home-made camo:
 Cheaper than dirt stockpile            HK 416  |
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