Tag Archives: Drones

Asymetrical Warfare – Drone Attack on Saudi Arabia

I read with a little alarm and much interest about the drone attack on the Saudi Arabian Abqaiq Oil Processing Facility and other infrastrucutre recently. Big deal I say. Yes, it is a big deal, the Abqaiq facility with a capacity of 7 million barrels per day and 5 million throughput is shut down for now! That gets my attention! The Houthis of Yemen are taking credit while the US claims that Iran is behind the attack. It turns out that the Iranians have drones with a theoretical range of almost a thousand miles!!

I say theoretical because the Iranians do not have satellites so they have to use ground stations to control their drones which limits their effective range to 100 to 200 miles depending on what you read.

Still not worried about it? How about the following video which shoes Iranian Drone video of an American Aircraft Carrier taken from directly over the ship?

Don’t get too excited. Iran has great social media people and there is a lot of speculation that the video was faked using video available on the internet. If you have ever looked at Iranian Military social media you will know that they are very enthusiastic but not convincing, and I am not convinced.

What I get excited about is that Iran has well developed drone technology that have used in battle in Syria and other places. hundreds of times. Meet the second generation Shahed 129 drone, their most advanced drone.

According to Wikipedia, this aircraft attempted an attack on coalition personnel but failed. Also, the US Air Force shot down one down. It can carry about to four bombs or missiles, and/or conduct surveillance. From what I read a lot of the US sanctions and embargoes have been efforts to keep the Iranians from increasing the capabilities of their drone technologies.

The US is accusing the Iranians of launching the attacks on Abqaiq. This all points to Asymetrical Warfare which involves war between combatants with vastly unequal capabilities. This seems to be something that American leadership consistently does not take into account and we suffer as a result. The Iranians, the Houthis, Al Qaida, whoever, would be stupid to try and match up the United States and our Allies in stand warfare. They would be wiped out. So they develop other, cheaper strategies that tend to drive us crazy, IED’s for example, that neutralize our advantage.

You always have to be ready for unexpected is what I have learned over the years and one is most vulnerable when you feel most invulnerable. Somebody may not be playing by the rules you set. They will have their own rules. It appears that ten inexpensive drones easily defeated a world class air defense system and shut off five million barrels per day of oil from the world’s energy supply.

Droning On and On

I finally got my drone. It is just a toy. So sorry, no HD camera to peek into your window or hellfire missiles to mess up your terrorist plots.


Just something that goes bzzzzzzz and so far is beyond my capability to control. I am going to have to go to a bigger space so I don’t have to worry about it crashing into my neighbor’s yard.


The main issue is that the instructions are incomprehensible. It is like it was written in one language and translated and retranslated into a few more languages to where the end result is incomprehensible.

But have no fear, I’ll figure it out.

I’d love to get a “big drone” one of these days with an HD camera. I’ve seen some incredible footage from the air.

Friday Night Lights – Oklahoma High School Football – Go Team Go!!


As I’ve posted earlier Logan has moved over to another school. Things are going well and he has had to step up his game quite a bit but he has started settling in. Tonight we went to the school for its first football game of the season and to attend a tailgate party with the Head of School and tour the new weight room.


Logan is not a football player but we were seriously impressed with the new weight room. Seriously, a lot of equipment.


Things have certainly changed since I was in high school. And seriously, I am so glad!!


When I went to school, way back before the dark ages even started, there were no sponsors for the schools.


I love the slogan “In Jesus Name we Play”


Well, we ate our burgers and listened to speeches and then it was time to head out to the football field. The school has lots and lots of cheerleaders. I think that is a good thing. Maximum participation is my thing. You know when I was their age I thought the cheerleaders were so exotic and beautiful. Now they seem so young! Heather says that is because I am so old. She has a way of reality checking me. One thing that is the same is that cheerleaders really get into what they are doing. I think it is good for young people to get into what they are doing. Matter of fact, that is good for everybody!! Don’t ya think?


I like taking pics of people taking pics even if my pic is a fuzzy pic.


Whoa, what is that! It is a drone. These kind of drones have cameras instead of Hellfire missiles. Which makes it my kind of drone. I instantly updated my Christmas list right then and there at the game. Heather tore up the list.




And then the game started. I love football. It has been 43 years since I last attended at high school football game at good old Round Valley High School in Eagar, Arizona. I don’t know why those guys on the sidelines are hugging each other.


Logan’s school was playing a home schooled team. That is something else you never used to see. They played danged hard. I love watching a good game and there was lots for both teams to feel good about.

We left at half time. Bleachers have not gotten softer in 43 years but I have. We’ll be back.

New Stuff

I found a drone on Amazon for about $50. Check it out.

Here is a video of it in action.

Here is an example of the video from the $50 drone