Is something wrong with Marine Corps messaging?
If not then explain this to me. How is the contribution of the USMC to the battle in the skies over Libya being under-reported or more to the point overlooked?
I've been reading ARES blog for the past few days with much intensity, waiting for them to cover the story.
Hasn't happened yet.
I watch Fox News, MSNBC, CNN and the BBC and nary a mention.
What gives?
Is this part of our problem...have we forgotten to get our story out to the American people? If we have then its time to take HQ's Marine Corps to task...
My personal motto is...Marines are everywhere--at the same time. Its a shame that the American people don't know it.
I can tell you why it isn't being mentioned on Ares. ;-)
ReplyDelete-sferrin
well to be honest what pushed me to even comment on this was you bringing up what i was thinking.
ReplyDeletethen i knew it just wasn't me thinking it...
but its just not ARES, its everyone. i wonder why?
It's fact that the US wants to downplay its role in Odyssey Dawn, so perhaps that may just be it, a PR move to keep a low profile.
ReplyDelete(Btw, I posted in ARES that the MEU only deploys four AV-8Bs, instead of the usual six, as was reported by the USN PAO. Might be a clerical error, or just the 'active' Harriers. Any further insights appreciated).
I'm not really surprised they haven't mentioned the Harrier on Ares. The Harrier is demonstrating the advantages of having fixed wing aircraft on amphibious assault ships (notice there's no CVN in the area for USMC Hornets). Talking about the Harrier's contribution would be like an advertisement for the F-35B and we can't have that. Certainly not on Ares. As much as they hate the F-35 in general over there they particularly don't like the F-35B.
ReplyDelete-sferrin
It's not just the Marines either, it's our entire military contribution to the conflict. I've been scouring the net for details on the strikes we've been conducting and the assets involved, and all I've pretty much come up with is that 3 B-2's, along with F-15's, F-16's, and AV-8's, along with Navy TLAMs, struck various targets in Libya yesterday. It's been over 24 hours since then and there hasn't been squat reported over strikes that the Marines and Air Force are conducting. When Iraq and Afghanistan kicked off, we had press briefings up the ass showing us killing tanks, troops, apc's, ifv's, SAMs, etc. I've found NO video and ONE bomb-damage assesment regarding our current Libya efforts. What gives?
ReplyDeleteIf I could play Devil's Advocate for moment, the Harrier being deployed successfully could also be used as an argument against the need for the F35B as new or updated Harriers could fill the current role adequately. Just saying...
ReplyDelete"It's fact that the US wants to downplay its role in Odyssey Dawn, so perhaps that may just be it, a PR move to keep a low profile."
ReplyDeleteFinally, some sense. It's the sensitivity to the Arab League and not wanting to inflame the situation whereas some pro-Marine lobbyists
US policy is STFU. Nothing to gain domestically or internationally.
ReplyDeleteThe US before the NFZ took place appeared to be 'quiet' while other countries (UK and France) were much more belligerent in their rhetoric. Its starting to come out that the US has been in the lead.
124 "US and British" Tomahawks used = 122 American + 2 British
(Or maybe they're reserving for big one - Arabian peninsula is going off.)
Harriers struck on the first night against some convoys near Benghazi (so far mostly attributed to the French).
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/2011/03/21/134726240/No-Fly-Zone-Enforcer
sounds like our Marines should buy & fix up some more old Harriers (you can guess from where) to sort of cover the gap until the F-35B gets to IOC.
ReplyDeleteWait a minute is there or is there not a fighter gap? Gee the Navy said they fixed that?~~~~
"If I could play Devil's Advocate for moment, the Harrier being deployed successfully could also be used as an argument against the need for the F35B as new or updated Harriers could fill the current role adequately. "
ReplyDelete1. Harriers won't last forever.
2. The Harrier plant is *gone*. There will be no new Harriers. It's the F-35B or nothing when it comes to STOVL.
Looks like the Osprey won the show today with that TRAP Mission. Lucky no one engaged the absurbly armed Ospreys. Had they landed in Ghadafi held Turf I doubt the Osprey has any talons to fight.
ReplyDelete