America’s Rapid Response Force, Iwo Jima ARG-22nd MEU (SOC) Deploys for Global Operations...via Marines.mil

 via Marines.mil

NORFOLK, Va. --

Sailors and Marines assigned to the Iwo Jima (IWO) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) - 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) departed for a regularly scheduled deployment, August 14.

The ARG’s primary mission is to conduct presence operations and safely embark Marines ashore to conduct a wide variety of contingency missions worldwide. The IWO ARG - 22nd MEU (SOC) also provides a flexible, forward naval presence by operating close to shore which allows this specialized Navy-Marine Corps team to conduct missions, unique to the amphibious Navy, at a moment’s notice.

“The IWO ARG - 22nd MEU (SOC) is an integral part of advancing our nations’ interests abroad and is a dynamic representation of our Navy’s 250 years of lethality and warfighting excellence," said Capt. Chris Farricker, commodore, Amphibious Squadron 8. "Our integrated Navy-Marine Corps warfighters are ready to execute the nation’s business and deliver quick and decisive combat power no matter where we are tasked in today’s complex global environment.”

This deployment follows the ARG-MEU’s final certification event, Composite Training Unit Exercise, the Navy’s most demanding pre-deployment assessment, which concluded July 11. More than 4,500 Sailors and Marines from the 22nd MEU comprise the force aboard the ARG’s three amphibious ships: flagship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), and the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships USS San Antonio (LPD 17) and USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28).

"The IWO ARG - 22nd MEU (SOC) is ready to serve as the nation's force of choice, prepared to decisively respond to any crisis in support of our national interests," said Col. Tom "Banshee" Trimble, commanding officer, 22nd MEU (SOC). "We are warfighters; manned, trained, and equipped to win – anywhere, anytime."

Iwo Jima serves as the flagship of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) which is capable of conducting global missions to accomplish U.S. strategic goals, deter adversaries, and ensure unimpeded commerce by keeping the high seas open and free in accordance with international law. Embarked aboard ARG shipping is the 22nd MEU (SOC) which provides a forward-deployed, flexible sea-based Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) capable of conducting amphibious operations—to include enabling the introduction of follow-on forces and designated special operations to meet Combatant Commander’s requirements.

U.S. 2nd Fleet develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

This is plain weird.

Force Design 2030 has been pushing the idea of Naval Task Forces as the end all be all of the Marine Corps and has pushed the idea that the Marine Corps is TOTALLY FOCUSED on operations in the littorals in support of sea denial and acting as a sense/make sense force for the joint force.

The highlighted portion brings all that into question...

 "We are warfighters; manned, trained, and equipped to win – anywhere, anytime."

Anytime and anywhere?  That's a throwback to the past.  What follows a few paragraphs later is also a throwback.

enabling the introduction of follow-on forces and designated special operations to meet Combatant Commander’s requirements.

"enabling the introduction of follow-on forces and designated special operations to meet Combatant Commander’s requirements."

Houston we have a problem.  The Force Design 2030 tribe is talking about responding to Combatant Commander's requirements?  That's been missing for the past 6 years.  As a matter of fact when critics such as myself pointed out that the Marine Corps was tying itself so hard to the Navy that the only way a combatant commander would be able to draw on Marine Corps forces was to request a Naval Task Force, I was shot down as being (forget the wording) but service specific or some such thing.

I think this is just a big joke and that they're still gonna be pushing Force Design 2030.  

That's why the Army has expanded its Airborne Forces.  We still claim to be America's Rapid Response Force but the truth is that the 82nd Airborne now has more ground combat power than a Marine Corps division.  Think about that.  We arrive by sea yet an AIRBORNE FORCE has MORE GROUND COMBAT POWER!

Amazing and pathetic.

Anything short of an extremely minor incident or if our ships happen to be hovering offshore means that the 82nd Division Ready Brigade can get there faster and hit harder than we can.