Giled Pallaeon
@giledpallaeon.bsky.social
Military & International Affairs nerd. Defense professional. Mostly naval subjects, but all aspects of defense and natsec welcome. Oh, & plastic spaceships, that too. All opinions on all subjects my own #WeAreNAFO
Pinned
Giled Pallaeon
@giledpallaeon.bsky.social
· May 15
Previous type entries have made note of the appropriate deployment of a particular type, with special regard to campaign operations. Star Destroyer as defined here overrides those generalized parameters. It is the assessment of [Redacted] to append the designation “Star Destroyer”…
Reposting so I can pin this. Below is part of a thread I wrote including my Watsonian redefinition of the term “Star Destroyer”
My immediate reaction to this that DHS just admitted to knowing who was involved and that there is now a paper trail of that with the reassignment. Not sure that was the best move here.
January 25, 2026 at 10:47 PM
My immediate reaction to this that DHS just admitted to knowing who was involved and that there is now a paper trail of that with the reassignment. Not sure that was the best move here.
So this is on balance a pretty decent article, describing the huge complexity of managing a very large very technical program and the trades between cost, schedule, and in this particular case safety.
But its description of probability is just flat wrong.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/23/s...
But its description of probability is just flat wrong.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/23/s...
NASA is about to send people to the moon — in a spacecraft not everyone thinks is safe to fly | CNN
As the four-person crew of Artemis II prepares to launch on a historic mission around the moon as soon as February, some experts are worried about the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield.
www.cnn.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:51 PM
So this is on balance a pretty decent article, describing the huge complexity of managing a very large very technical program and the trades between cost, schedule, and in this particular case safety.
But its description of probability is just flat wrong.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/23/s...
But its description of probability is just flat wrong.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/23/s...
Adding this to my collection of Metal AF quotes outside my office.
“Do not tell me ‘everything gets worse’ because that is a lie which denies the victorious struggle of millions. It does not serve the ultimate victory of the people to pretend that we are impotent against the forces of darkness.”
“Do not tell me ‘everything gets worse’ because that is a lie which denies the victorious struggle of millions. It does not serve the ultimate victory of the people to pretend that we are impotent against the forces of darkness.”
for the first 20 years of my life, it was legal to imprison me for the crime of loving my partner.
for the first 32 years of my life, it was legal to prohibit me from marrying my partner.
do not tell me "everything gets worse" because that is a lie which denies the victorious struggle of millions.
for the first 32 years of my life, it was legal to prohibit me from marrying my partner.
do not tell me "everything gets worse" because that is a lie which denies the victorious struggle of millions.
January 22, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Adding this to my collection of Metal AF quotes outside my office.
“Do not tell me ‘everything gets worse’ because that is a lie which denies the victorious struggle of millions. It does not serve the ultimate victory of the people to pretend that we are impotent against the forces of darkness.”
“Do not tell me ‘everything gets worse’ because that is a lie which denies the victorious struggle of millions. It does not serve the ultimate victory of the people to pretend that we are impotent against the forces of darkness.”
Reposted by Giled Pallaeon
Only took me a few weeks but here is a list of books to introduce one to all things military. My latest⬇️
January 21, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Only took me a few weeks but here is a list of books to introduce one to all things military. My latest⬇️
Reposted by Giled Pallaeon
Oh genuinely this photo of Artemis II is just so good.
January 19, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Oh genuinely this photo of Artemis II is just so good.
The right of self-determination includes not only a right of independence and free association but also a right to petition for subordination and integration (which the other party’s right of free association allows them to decline). Not reckoning with this imo shows a tilted worldview.
January 19, 2026 at 8:48 PM
The right of self-determination includes not only a right of independence and free association but also a right to petition for subordination and integration (which the other party’s right of free association allows them to decline). Not reckoning with this imo shows a tilted worldview.
Reposted by Giled Pallaeon
There are not two kinds of citizens, 'naturalized' and 'born' or 'heritage' or whatever bigoted nonsense they have.
There is one kind of citizen: citizen.
That's it. We're one group. You wrongly arrested a citizen.
You fuckwits.
There is one kind of citizen: citizen.
That's it. We're one group. You wrongly arrested a citizen.
You fuckwits.
January 18, 2026 at 8:48 PM
There are not two kinds of citizens, 'naturalized' and 'born' or 'heritage' or whatever bigoted nonsense they have.
There is one kind of citizen: citizen.
That's it. We're one group. You wrongly arrested a citizen.
You fuckwits.
There is one kind of citizen: citizen.
That's it. We're one group. You wrongly arrested a citizen.
You fuckwits.
Until such time as (dumber) official things are announced, I propose these as reference names for the DEFIANT class:
BBG-1 USS DEFIANT
BBG-2 USS SAO PAULO
BBG-3 USS VALIANT
BBG-4 USS ANAXIMANDER
I also firmly believe these should be BBG 72-75 but whatever.
BBG-1 USS DEFIANT
BBG-2 USS SAO PAULO
BBG-3 USS VALIANT
BBG-4 USS ANAXIMANDER
I also firmly believe these should be BBG 72-75 but whatever.
January 16, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Until such time as (dumber) official things are announced, I propose these as reference names for the DEFIANT class:
BBG-1 USS DEFIANT
BBG-2 USS SAO PAULO
BBG-3 USS VALIANT
BBG-4 USS ANAXIMANDER
I also firmly believe these should be BBG 72-75 but whatever.
BBG-1 USS DEFIANT
BBG-2 USS SAO PAULO
BBG-3 USS VALIANT
BBG-4 USS ANAXIMANDER
I also firmly believe these should be BBG 72-75 but whatever.
Quick explainer for those not used to how naval cost estimates (when done well) work in a “cost-by-weight” model (which has issues I’ll get to).
Before I get into it, I’ll preface that these numbers look reasonable, especially for how immature DEFIANT’s detailed design definitely is.
Before I get into it, I’ll preface that these numbers look reasonable, especially for how immature DEFIANT’s detailed design definitely is.
Some eye-popping cost estimates for the battleship, courtesy of Eric Labs of the Congressional Budget Office. 1 BBG could buy up to 7 DDGs (which, btw is 128 VLS cells and 12 CPS cells vs 672 VLS cells). In the words of the immortal Ron O’Rourke, which came first: the program or the analysis?
January 15, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Quick explainer for those not used to how naval cost estimates (when done well) work in a “cost-by-weight” model (which has issues I’ll get to).
Before I get into it, I’ll preface that these numbers look reasonable, especially for how immature DEFIANT’s detailed design definitely is.
Before I get into it, I’ll preface that these numbers look reasonable, especially for how immature DEFIANT’s detailed design definitely is.
Wonderful. In the process of building a tool for racism, these idiots built a targeting tool, possibly the best of its kind, the sort our adversaries would love to compromise.
It’s a racist tool for racist purposes, but it’s a targeting tool that could be turned on to any kind of target.
It’s a racist tool for racist purposes, but it’s a targeting tool that could be turned on to any kind of target.
New: meet ELITE, the Palantir app ICE is using to find neighborhoods to raid. Map interface; officers search for immigrants; click person to bring up individual dossier. This is clearest link between what Palantir is building and ICE's activities on the ground yet www.404media.co/elite-the-pa...
‘ELITE’: The Palantir App ICE Uses to Find Neighborhoods to Raid
Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activit...
www.404media.co
January 15, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Wonderful. In the process of building a tool for racism, these idiots built a targeting tool, possibly the best of its kind, the sort our adversaries would love to compromise.
It’s a racist tool for racist purposes, but it’s a targeting tool that could be turned on to any kind of target.
It’s a racist tool for racist purposes, but it’s a targeting tool that could be turned on to any kind of target.
This is a very dark kind of absolutely hilarious.
Also demonstrative of CENTCOM’s insatiable appetite for assets they don’t really need.
Also demonstrative of CENTCOM’s insatiable appetite for assets they don’t really need.
The Nimitz's *first and last* combat deployments involved military action against Iran (Eagle Claw and Midnight Hammer)
We've hated them so long it's literally the entire lifespan of a CVN lol
We've hated them so long it's literally the entire lifespan of a CVN lol
January 14, 2026 at 11:28 PM
This is a very dark kind of absolutely hilarious.
Also demonstrative of CENTCOM’s insatiable appetite for assets they don’t really need.
Also demonstrative of CENTCOM’s insatiable appetite for assets they don’t really need.
Reposted by Giled Pallaeon
i will go to my deathbed ashamed that i lived in an america were secret police grabbed citizens off the street
4 male ICE agents tackle a woman U.S. citizen—lift her off ground with no concern over groping her breast or exposing her midriff.
"Help me! Help me!" she cries out. "Check my ID!"
Agents shove her into back of SUV hitting her head—literally run away from scene of crime.
St. Paul, Minnesota.
"Help me! Help me!" she cries out. "Check my ID!"
Agents shove her into back of SUV hitting her head—literally run away from scene of crime.
St. Paul, Minnesota.
January 13, 2026 at 9:17 PM
i will go to my deathbed ashamed that i lived in an america were secret police grabbed citizens off the street
In what shitty, hacky EndWar bullshit is Greenland under threat from China? Their power projection at that range is non-existent.
January 10, 2026 at 4:55 PM
In what shitty, hacky EndWar bullshit is Greenland under threat from China? Their power projection at that range is non-existent.
For a very broad and historically minded definition of lib, I agree.
Frankly what’s more remarkable to me is how much of different parts of American society have apparently moved outside those bounds.
Frankly what’s more remarkable to me is how much of different parts of American society have apparently moved outside those bounds.
All trve American nationalists are libs
January 9, 2026 at 1:35 AM
For a very broad and historically minded definition of lib, I agree.
Frankly what’s more remarkable to me is how much of different parts of American society have apparently moved outside those bounds.
Frankly what’s more remarkable to me is how much of different parts of American society have apparently moved outside those bounds.
Reposted by Giled Pallaeon
This afternoon, retired Army general Stanley McChrystal spoke at the retirement ceremony hosted by HRC for six trans service members who were forced out under Trump’s ban.
“I shouldn’t have to be thanked for being here. First off, we shouldn’t be here. This shouldn’t be happening.”
Full remarks:
“I shouldn’t have to be thanked for being here. First off, we shouldn’t be here. This shouldn’t be happening.”
Full remarks:
January 8, 2026 at 11:39 PM
This afternoon, retired Army general Stanley McChrystal spoke at the retirement ceremony hosted by HRC for six trans service members who were forced out under Trump’s ban.
“I shouldn’t have to be thanked for being here. First off, we shouldn’t be here. This shouldn’t be happening.”
Full remarks:
“I shouldn’t have to be thanked for being here. First off, we shouldn’t be here. This shouldn’t be happening.”
Full remarks:
Reposted by Giled Pallaeon
If you desire freedom from tyranny you are my friend.
January 9, 2026 at 12:26 AM
If you desire freedom from tyranny you are my friend.
Reposted by Giled Pallaeon
not to be opportunistic
but dammit to hell MY America is still a friend to any who raise a hand in righteous anger against an oppressor, regardless of race color creed or nationality
but dammit to hell MY America is still a friend to any who raise a hand in righteous anger against an oppressor, regardless of race color creed or nationality
January 9, 2026 at 12:04 AM
not to be opportunistic
but dammit to hell MY America is still a friend to any who raise a hand in righteous anger against an oppressor, regardless of race color creed or nationality
but dammit to hell MY America is still a friend to any who raise a hand in righteous anger against an oppressor, regardless of race color creed or nationality
Reposted by Giled Pallaeon
I'm a simple man. I enjoy simple things. I like seeing free people live in peace and dignity. And I fuckin' love seeing bullies and tyrants lose.
January 9, 2026 at 12:31 AM
I'm a simple man. I enjoy simple things. I like seeing free people live in peace and dignity. And I fuckin' love seeing bullies and tyrants lose.
Reposted by Giled Pallaeon
I was listening to @thebulwark.com's Next Level podcast today and they were thinking through the chance that Trump actually tries to seize Greenland and there was a @jvl.bsky.social sort of 'I kinda hope he does it to drop the mask entirely' and I just cannot scream loudly enough: No, You Do Not. 1/
January 7, 2026 at 4:15 AM
I was listening to @thebulwark.com's Next Level podcast today and they were thinking through the chance that Trump actually tries to seize Greenland and there was a @jvl.bsky.social sort of 'I kinda hope he does it to drop the mask entirely' and I just cannot scream loudly enough: No, You Do Not. 1/
Objectively a terrible article, and therefore another excellent aid to the cause that "If you're talking about defense issues and don't know what you're talking about *in national publications*, then please, for the love of God, *shut the fuck up*."
January 7, 2026 at 6:04 AM
Objectively a terrible article, and therefore another excellent aid to the cause that "If you're talking about defense issues and don't know what you're talking about *in national publications*, then please, for the love of God, *shut the fuck up*."
This is insane. Full stop.
If you made a Venn diagram of every weird person I knew in Silicon Valley during the first dot-com boom, centrifuged it, extracted the pellet, and re-suspended it in high-proof eugenics with a splash of AI, you'd end up with something like this.
It'll take a strong stomach to read this "gift" link.
It'll take a strong stomach to read this "gift" link.
Can You Optimize Love?
www.nytimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:57 AM
This is insane. Full stop.
Among others:
Avatar: The Last Airbender
The Good Place
Castlevania
Futurama (specifically “Meanwhile”)
Deep Space 9
Castlevania
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Batman Beyond (if you’ve watched other DCAU)
Andor
Arcane
Avatar: The Last Airbender
The Good Place
Castlevania
Futurama (specifically “Meanwhile”)
Deep Space 9
Castlevania
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Batman Beyond (if you’ve watched other DCAU)
Andor
Arcane
Given that apparently the Stranger Things finale was meh (idk, didn't watch it, just the scuttlebutt) and we're not that far removed from the disastrous GOT finale that retroactively made everyone have never cared about the show:
What's the *best* ending to a show you've ever seen? Quote/reply etc
What's the *best* ending to a show you've ever seen? Quote/reply etc
January 7, 2026 at 5:26 AM
Among others:
Avatar: The Last Airbender
The Good Place
Castlevania
Futurama (specifically “Meanwhile”)
Deep Space 9
Castlevania
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Batman Beyond (if you’ve watched other DCAU)
Andor
Arcane
Avatar: The Last Airbender
The Good Place
Castlevania
Futurama (specifically “Meanwhile”)
Deep Space 9
Castlevania
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Batman Beyond (if you’ve watched other DCAU)
Andor
Arcane
This this this this this
January 7, 2026 at 12:47 AM
This this this this this