BREAKING:Marine Helicopter Crashes at Camp Pendleton

via FoxNews...

Marine Helicopter Crashes at Camp Pendleton

Published July 06, 2011| Associated Press

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. –  A Marine Corps helicopter crashed Wednesday afternoon at the sprawling coastal base of Camp Pendleton, injuring the six personnel aboard.

The helicopter belonging to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Camp Pendleton went down at about noon in the northern section of the San Diego County base, said 1st Lt. Maureen Dooley, a spokeswoman at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The section is a remote mountainous area where the Marine Corps conducts air trainings.

Officials didn't immediately release details about the injuries, or say whether any were life-threatening.

At least three of the injured were taken to nearby Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla in San Diego, about 30 miles south of the base, hospital spokeswoman Lisa Ohmstede said. She said she also couldn't discuss their injuries and she didn't know what other hospitals took in patients from the crash.

Wednesday was sunny and hot in the county so it was unclear if weather played a role. Dooley said there will be an investigation into the cause of the incident.

The UH-1Y helicopter, known as a Yankee Huey is a modernized variant of the decades-old UH-1 design by Bell Helicopter. Among survivability features on the UH-1Y are "crashworthy" crew seats and fuel tanks, according to a description of the aircraft on the Bell Helicopter website. The UH-1Y is described as a medium helicopter with two engines and one four-bladed main rotor.

Wow.

They've barely hit the Fleet and we've already lost one.  Thank goodness no one was killed.

UPDATE:
I spoke too damn soon.  Unfortunately Military.com is reporting that one Marine died in this crash.  Many don't realize it but our first year in Iraq, more service members died from training than in combat.  Military life can be a bitch.

Spanish and American Marine Conduct Mechanized Raid Training.

All photos by Cpl Dwight Henderson

Spanish Piranhas from 9th Mechanized Company, 3rd Mechanized Landing Battalion, line up to conduct a mechanized raid with Easy Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, aboard Sierra Del Retin, Spain, June 25. The training was part of the Spanish Amphibious Bilateral Exercise, a 10-day exercise where Marines from 22nd MEU are training alongside Spanish marines to build relations and increase interoperability with the Spanish. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 6 aboard the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group serving as a flexible, formidable and potent force who continues to train and improve their capability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission, capable force comprised of an Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); a Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; and its Combat Element.

A Spanish Piranha, right, from 9th Mechanized Company, 3rd Mechanized Landing Battalion, passes by an amphibian assault vehicle, left, with Easy Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a mechanized raid aboard Sierra Del Retin, Spain, June 25. The training was part of the Spanish Amphibious Bilateral Exercise, a 10-day exercise where Marines from 22nd MEU are training alongside Spanish marines to build relations and increase interoperability with the Spanish. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 6 aboard the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group serving as a flexible, formidable and potent force who continues to train and improve their capability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission, capable force comprised of an Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); a Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; and its Combat Element.

A Spanish Piranha, right, from 9th Mechanized Company, 3rd Mechanized Landing Battalion, passes by an amphibious assault vehicle, left, with Easy Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a mechanized raid aboard Sierra Del Retin, Spain, June 25. The training was part of the Spanish Amphibious Bilateral Exercise, a 10-day exercise where Marines from 22nd MEU are training alongside Spanish marines to build relations and increase interoperability with the Spanish. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 6 aboard the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group serving as a flexible, formidable and potent force who continues to train and improve their capability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission, capable force comprised of an Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); a Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; and its Combat Element.

MV-22 Osprey's in Afghanistan Helmand province

YAT-YAS onboard the USS Whidbey Island.

An amphibious assault vehicle with Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit returns to the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island. The Whidbey Island is deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, participating in the Spanish Amphibious Landing Exercise off the coast of Spain. (Photo by: Petty Officer 3rd Class Desiree D. Green)

An amphibious assault vehicle with Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit returns to the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island. The Whidbey Island is deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, participating in the Spanish Amphibious Landing Exercise off the coast of Spain. (Photo by: Petty Officer 3rd Class Desiree D. Green)

An amphibious assault vehicle with Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit returns to the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island. The Whidbey Island is deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, participating in the Spanish Amphibious Landing Exercise off the coast of Spain. (Photo by: Petty Officer 3rd Class Desiree D. Green)

An amphibious assault vehicle with Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit returns to the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island. The Whidbey Island is deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, participating in the Spanish Amphibious Landing Exercise off the coast of Spain. (Photo by: Petty Officer 3rd Class Desiree D. Green)

Hey Commandant! Save money. Kill flag billets.

I was doing my early morning blog reading and I ran across this story from the USNI Blog.

Read the whole thing but this struck me as crazy...

The Naval Vessel Registry lists 245 active hulls as of June, 2011.  The same registry lists 268 Flag Officers: 243 Active, 22 Active Duty for Special Work, and 3 Full Time Support.  Last time I walked the Naval Station piers, only three ships had broken an Admiral’s Flag at the masthead.

What has me pounding my head is the idea that every US Navy ship could be commanded by an Admiral.  I was high and to the right and ready to post in the comments section how freaking insane that is and why someone hasn't done anything about it.

Then I thought about the Marine Corps.  From various sources, the word is that the Marine Corps is capped at 80 general officers.

80.

Eight - Zero.

For a force that at its height in modern history might have numbered 202, 000 men.

That's roughly a General for every 2500 Marines.


A General for every 2500 Marines!  Say it out loud and see if that makes sense to you.


HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? (I don't even want to look at the number of Colonels.)

We won't be lean.  We won't be expeditionary.  We won't be the Marine Corps that the nation deserves until we get as savage when it comes to promotion and retention at the top as we are at the bottom...by my estimation we could cut at least 1/2 these billets with no difficulty.  


We should do it today.

Bataan Amphibious Ready Group Participates Spanish Amphibious Landing Exercise

Landing Craft Unit 1644 returns to the well deck deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41). The Whidbey Island is deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, participating in the Spanish Amphibious Landing Exercise off the coast of Spain. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Desiree D. Green)

An amphibious assault vehicle from Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit,exits the well deck of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan June 23. Bataan is the command ship of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, participating in the bilateral Spanish Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011 off the coast of Spain. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Julio Rivera)

Spanish marines along with Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit prepare to load into an MV-22B Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced) to conduct parachute operations into a Spanish military training area northwest of Naval Station Rota, Spain, June 23, as part of the bilateral Spanish amphibious landing exercise 2011. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, which includes multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island and the amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde are also participating in the exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Erin Lea Boyce)

Spanish marines parachute from an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, into a Spanish military training area northwest of Naval Station Rota, Spain, June 23, as part of the bilateral Spanish amphibious landing exercise 2011. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, which includes multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island and the amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde are also participating in the exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Erin Lea Boyce)

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde makes preparations to conduct amphibious operations while participating with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group in the Spanish Amphibious Landing Exercise off the coast of Spain. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Desiree D. Green)

Gettin' ready to kick some Police/Firefighter ass! All in good fun of course!

Marine gives pep talk before fight

Lt. Col. Shane Tomko, Special Purpose Marine Ground Air-Ground Task Force commander with 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment gives words of encouragement to one of his Marines, Lance Cpl. Chris Williams, 22, a radio operator with the reserve battalion, before his fight at the "First to Fight" amateur boxing tournament. At this tournament, Marines and St. Louis police and firefighters go toe-to-toe at the Scottstrade Center in St. louis, June 20 with all proceeds benefitting Backstoppers, Semper Fi Foundation and Toys for Tots. Marine Week provides an opportunity to increase public awareness of the Marine Corps' value to our nation's defense and to preserve and mature the Corps' relationship with the American people. Photo by Sgt. Jimmy D. Shea

Get ready for Exercise Mailed Fist.

Via CNN.

Washington (CNN) -- It's mid-June, a perfect time to visit the beach to watch porpoises play in the surf or seagulls strut the sand -- or you could watch a formation of Marine Corps warplanes darting over the shore at hundreds of miles per hour.
But don't worry -- the United States hasn't declared war on your family's beach house. It's just part of a major Marine Corps exercise called Exercise Mailed Fist (translation: armored fist).
The exercise is designed to test the capability of every type of Marine Corps aircraft, including MV-22 Ospreys and F/A 18 Hornets, as well as some Navy ships and Air Force planes.
The drill will stretch from Quantico Marine Base in northern Virginia to the Navy's Pinecastle Bombing Range in Florida.
With thousands of Marines and other service members involved, it's the biggest such drill ever on the U.S. East Coast.
"Exercise Mailed Fist is the first exercise of its specific kind and the largest 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing exercise conducted in recent history," said Staff Sgt. Roman J. Yurek, Marine Corps spokesman. "In the past, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing units had to deploy to the West Coast to conduct this type of training."
Mailed Fist was not originally supposed to be one big exercise. But the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing's commander, Maj. Gen. Jon Davis, decided to combine several smaller drills into one big exercise. Not only do the Marines train closer to home, the Pentagon saves money.
Most of the exercises will take place in the skies above or near Marine bases along the North and South Carolina coast.
From Monday until Friday, vacationers "who are located near the bases ... will see an increase in air and ground traffic at various times throughout the week, but there should be minimal impact on activity near beaches other than occasional fly-overs at relatively high altitudes," the spokesman said.

Interesting.

I forgot all about this test of a fully assembled (Marine Expeditionary Brigade I believe) amphibious assault force for experimentation and exercise.

This is the news the Marines should be shouting about...not saturating the air ways with a dog and pony in St. Louis.  Just as a heads up, you should also read Information Dissemination.  The author is upset about the Navy losing the narrative on Air-Sea Battle to the Air Force.

I hope Headquarters Marine Corps is paying attention and gets its act together not only for the Marine Corps sake but to help inform policy makers of what a value the Marine Corps provides------Regardless of the next gee-whiz battle concept that comes down the pike.

"Sir, in the name of God, no sane man would have stood there and done what they did. They saved us all."

I heard this story...but not like the Lt. General tells it in this article.  This is just a snippet.  Read the whole thing.  Via the American Legion Magazine.

When I was the commander of all U.S. and Iraqi forces, on April 22, 2008, two Marine infantry battalions, 1/9 “The Walking Dead,” and 2/8, were switching out in Ramadi. One battalion was in the closing days of its deployment, the other just starting its seven-month combat tour.
Two Marines, Cpl. Jonathan Yale and Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter, 22 and 20 respectively, one from each battalion, were assuming the watch at the entrance gate of an outpost that contained a makeshift barracks housing 50 Marines. The same ramshackle building was also home to 100 Iraqi police, our allies in the fight against terrorists in Ramadi – known at the time as the most dangerous city on earth, and owned by al-Qaeda.
Yale was a dirt-poor mixed-race kid from Virginia, with a wife, a mother and a sister, who all lived with him and he supported. He did this on a yearly salary of less than $23,000. Haerter, on the other hand, was a middle-class white kid from Long Island. They were from two completely different worlds. Had they not joined the Marines, they would never have met each other, or understood that multiple Americas exist simultaneously, depending on one’s race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, education level, economic status, or where you might have been born. But they were Marines, combat Marines, forged in the same crucible, and because of this bond they were brothers as close – or closer – than if they were born of the same woman.
The mission orders they received from their sergeant squad leader, I’m sure, went something like this: “OK, take charge of this post and let no unauthorized personnel or vehicles pass. You clear?” I’m also sure Yale and Haerter rolled their eyes and said, in unison, something like, “Yes, sergeant,” with just enough attitude that made the point, without saying the words, “No kidding, sweetheart. We know what we’re doing.” They then relieved two other Marines on watch and took up their post at the entry-control point of Joint Security Station Nasser, in the Sophia section of Ramadi, al Anbar, Iraq.
A few minutes later, a large blue truck turned down the alleyway – perhaps 60 to 70 yards in length – and sped its way through the serpentine concrete Jersey walls. The truck stopped just short of where the two were posted and detonated, killing them both. Twenty-four brick masonry houses were damaged or destroyed. A mosque 100 yards away collapsed. The truck’s engine came to rest 200 yards away, knocking down most of a house down before it stopped. Our explosive experts reckoned the blast was caused by 2,000 pounds of explosive. Because these two young infantrymen didn’t have it in their DNA to run from danger, they saved 150 of their Iraqi and American brothers in arms.
When I read the situation report a few hours after it happened, I called the regimental commander for details. Something about this struck me as different. We expect Marines, regardless of rank or MOS, to stand their ground and do their duty, and even die in the process, if that is what the mission takes. But this just seemed different. The regimental commander had just returned from the site, and he agreed, but reported that there were no American witnesses to the event – just Iraqi police. If there was any chance of finding out what actually happened, and then to decorate the two Marines to acknowledge their bravery, I’d have to do it, because a combat award requires two eyewitnesses, and we figured the bureaucrats back in Washington would never buy Iraqi statements. If it had any chance at all, it had to come under the signature of a general officer.
I traveled to Ramadi the next day and spoke individually to a half-dozen Iraqi police, all of whom told the same story. They all said, “We knew immediately what was going on as soon as the two Marines began firing.”
The Iraqi police related that some of them also fired, and then, to a man, ran for safety just prior to the explosion. All survived. Many were injured, some seriously. One of the Iraqis elaborated, and with tears welling up, said, “They’d run like any normal man would to save his life.”
What he didn’t know until then, and what he learned that very instant, was that Marines are not normal. Choking past the emotion, he said, “Sir, in the name of God, no sane man would have stood there and done what they did. They saved us all.”
What we didn’t know at the time, and only learned after I submitted both Yale and Haerter for posthumous Navy Crosses, was that one of our security cameras recorded some of the attack. It happened exactly as the Iraqis described it. It took exactly six seconds from when the truck entered the alley until it detonated. You can watch the last six seconds of their young lives.
I suppose it took about a second for the two Marines to separately come to the same conclusion about what was going on once the truck came into their view at the far end of the alley. No time to talk it over, or call the sergeant to ask what they should do. Only enough time to take half an instant and think about what the sergeant told them to do only a few minutes before: “Let no unauthorized personnel or vehicles pass.”
It took maybe another two seconds for them to present their weapons, take aim, and open up. By this time, the truck was halfway through the barriers and gaining speed. Here the recording shows a number of Iraqi police, some of whom had fired their AKs, now scattering like the normal and rational men they were, some running right past the Marines, who had three seconds left to live.
For about two seconds more, the recording shows the Marines firing their weapons nonstop.  The truck’s windshield explodes into shards of glass as their rounds take it apart and tear into the body of the son of a ***** trying to get past them to kill their brothers – American and Iraqi – bedded down in the barracks, totally unaware that their lives at that moment depended entirely on two Marines standing their ground.
Yale and Haerter never hesitated. By all reports and by the recording, they never stepped back. They never even shifted their weight. With their feet spread shoulder-width apart, they leaned into the danger, firing as fast as they could. They had only one second left to live, and I think they knew.
The truck explodes. The camera goes blank. Two young men go to their God. Six seconds. Not enough time to think about their families, their country, their flag, or about their lives or their deaths, but more than enough time for two very brave young men to do their duty. Those are the kind of people who are on watch all over the world tonight for you, and as amazing as this selfless act of sacrifice may seem, it is the norm.
In all the years I have been both enlisted and an officer of Marines, I have praised them and have chewed them out. I have promoted them and unceremoniously disciplined them. I have hung decorations on them and court-martialed them. I have visited them mangled and broken in military hospitals around the country, in lonely defensive positions across Iraq, and in brigs. I have known thousands of them over nearly 40 years, and I can tell you without hesitation or qualification that I never met one who would have run from his post that morning – who would have done anything other than to have stood there and died.
I have the name of the most recent hero, killed in Afghanistan a few hours ago, but I cannot share with you his name because a Marine officer and Navy chaplain have not yet executed their honored duty of notifying the next of kin. That family, right now, somewhere in America, is in the final minutes of blissful ignorance before their entire lives change forever. I know God will help them bear this inconceivable burden – a burden I am told by those who know that never goes away or even gets lighter – and help them find comfort in the fact that their son was doing exactly what he wanted to do, was doing it with the finest men on this earth, and for a cause that meant more to him than his life. The reality, however, is that it doesn’t matter if we are comforted, or if we accept it or not. It only matters that he did.
We Marines believe that God gave America the greatest gift he could bestow on man while he lives on this earth: freedom. We also believe he gave us another gift nearly as precious – our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen and Marines – to safeguard that gift and guarantee no force on this earth can ever steal it away.
Rest assured that our America, this experiment in democracy begun over two centuries ago, will forever remain the land of the free and home of the brave so long as we never run out of tough young Americans who are willing to look beyond their own self-interest and comfortable lives, and go into the darkest and most dangerous places on earth to hunt down and kill those who would do us harm. God bless America, and semper fidelis.
Lt. Gen. John Kelly is senior military assistant to Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Kelly delivered this speech to the Semper Fi Society of St. Louis on Nov. 13, 2010, four days after his son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, was killed in action in Afghanistan.

If this doesn't bring at least a bit of mist to your eyes then you have no heart....

USS Bataan is still blacked out.

UPDATE:

The USS Bataan is still blacked out according to its FaceBook Page.

This is highly unusual.  Whats more mystifying is that this simple problem has been ongoing since the 13th of this month.

Something is going on with the USS Bataan.  What exactly I don't know but remember this post?

UPDATE 1:

Phil asked a very important question.  He asked if the other ships in the Expeditionary Strike Group 2 were blacked out.

From what I gather from open sources is that the Group has split up.  I'm going to burning up this computer tonight to try and nail down exact locations.  One thing though.  Bataan is waaaay ahead of the curve when it comes to social networking.  LSD 41 has updated its website since Oct 2010 and the Mesa Verde is still trying to get its act together (or so it appears online).  More info to you when I get it.

2nd Force Recons conduct helo-casting training.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division; and Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, pull their fellow Marine into a combat rubber raiding craft after jumping out of a CH-53 helicopter aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 14, 2011. The purpose of the exercise was to train the Marines for amphibious operations., By Cpl. Johnny Merkley, 6/13/2011 8:06 PM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division; and Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, prepare to push a combat rubber raiding craft out of a CH-53 helicopter aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 14, 2011. The purpose of the exercise was to train the Marines for amphibious operations. , By. Cpl. Johnny Merkley, 6/13/2011 8:13 PM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division; and Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, prepares to jump out of a CH-53 helicopter into the ocean aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 14, 2011. The purpose of the exercise was to train the Marines for amphibious operations. , By Cpl. Johnny Merkley, 6/13/2011 8:27 PM

A USMC Unit from WW2 that you never knew existed.

Every Marine can probably name the Marine Divisions from WW2.  Identify the Marine Raiders.  The legendary figures from that time.

But how many Marines know that during WW2, the Marines had a Parachute Battalion?  I didn't.  This is its history.

Silk Chutes and Hard Fighting US Marine Corps Parachute Units in WWII

I read a story that the Marine Raiders were open to the idea of Marine Special Operations linking to its history.

Of course Force Recon, can also make the claim of being Marine Special Ops fore fathers. 

My question is this.  If Marine Raiders and Force Recon can both claim to be forerunners of Marine Special Ops then why can't Marine Parachute Units?

USS Bataan to Syria? Special Forces to Libya?

Purify my Heart (thanks bud) gave me a heads up that the USS Bataan was steaming toward the Syrian coast.

Quite honestly, I didn't know what to make of this news.  A Google search revealed two things.

First, from Debka File:

This huge concentration of naval missile interceptor units looks like preparations by Washington for the contingency of Iran, Syria and Hizballah letting loose with surface missiles against US and Israeli targets in the event of US military intervention to stop the anti-opposition slaughter underway in Syria.
Moscow, Tehran and Damascus, in particular, are taking this exceptional spate of American military movements in and around the Mediterranean as realistically portending American intervention in Syria.
This concentration of US might also the effect of deterring the Turkish government from going through with its decision to send Turkish troops into Syria. The plan was to create a protected buffer zone where the thousands of refugees in flight from the Assad regime's military crackdown would be kept safe on Syrian side of the border and out of Turkey.
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyep Erdogan is averse to be seen working hand in glove militarily with any US interference in Syria. At the same time, Western intelligence sources in the Persian Gulf are sure Washington is coordinating its military movements with Ankara and that Erdogan quietly agreed to place Turkish bases at US disposal for an operation in Syria.
debka file's military sources also report that Monday, June 13, Hizballah began shifting the long- and medium-range rockets it had stored in northern Lebanon to locations in the center of the country. Western military sources first thought the Lebanese Shiite group was taking the precaution of keeping its arsenal safe from a spillover of violence from Syria. Tuesday, however, they learned that Iranian intelligence had advised Hizballah to remove its rockets out of range of a possible American operation in Syria.
Tuesday, Iran capped these events with three separate warnings to the Obama administration against military interference in Syria.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said Tuesday: "The Americans are not allowed to launch a military intervention in any country of the region including Syria."
He accused "Israel and the USA of standing behind the riots in Syria, Iran's closest ally in the Arab world… with particular aims…of provoking terrorist groups in Syria and in the region to carry out terrorist and sabotage operations."
Another spokesman warned: "Western attempts to set the model of Libya in Damascus are doomed to failure."
Iranian Vice President Reza Rahimi accused the United States of preparing and executing "the slaughter of Muslims" worldwide.
Iran's ground forces commander Brig. Gen. Kioumars Heidari added this threat: Any new military move by the US in the region will impose heavy costs on the country far greater than the costs it paid in Iraq and Afghanistan."

The story from Debka File (read the whole thing) has some pretty troubling info in it (if its true).  The idea that we're going to open up a new front in both Syria and Libya (how they got word about a Special Forces deployment---if true---is beyond me) is beyond troubling.  Its crazy.

The idea that we're once again acting at the behest of another nation is (in my opinion) insane.  In this case Turkey!  Amazing.

Like I said, its troubling and from what I gathered in my search, Debka File has extreme credibility in some circles...less in others---so I just don't know.

I do know that the story has been picked up by alternate news sites and is spreading like wildfire on the net.

Its up to you to decide or you can do like me and watch it all unfold.

Sidenote:

One curious thing.  The USS Bataan's Facebook page indicates that they've experienced problems with their e-mail system.  Is this a 'civilized' way of blacking out a ship?

UPDATE:

Seems that Debka was right about at least a portion of the story.  This from the Telegraph;

Government sources told a leading Turkish newspaper that soldiers could be sent in to Syria to set up a "safe haven" under plans being considered should the flood of those fleeing the fighting worsened.

"We would close the border but we cannot turn our back," a Turkish official told the newspaper, Hurriyet. "If chaos starts, then we will have to form a security zone or a buffer zone inside Syrian territory."

And to show that there is a bit of coordination going on behind the scenes we have the brave and bold UN secretary trying to flex his nonexistent muscles.  This from the Washington Post.

Speaking to journalists in Brazil, his last stop in a South America tour that included Colombia, Argentina and Uruguay, Ban called on Syria’s president to “stop killing people” and told reporters that he’d urged Assad to “engage in inclusive dialogue and to take bold measures before it’s too late.”

If you've observed UN Secretary's then you'll realize that they always beg and cajole but never make definitive, almost threatening statements unless the pie is already baked and they've been given an indication of support from either or both the US and the EU...and probably with a nod from Russia and China.

Something is going on behind the scenes regarding Syria.  Our administration and the wonder kids in Europe have been behind the eight ball and wrong on every count so far.  No reason to expect them to get this right either.

Three current wars...Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.  Two ongoing humanitarian disasters (outside the US) ...Haiti and Japan.  A crushing budget deficit.  Extremely high gas prices.  Wild fires, flooding, drought and a heat wave within our own borders.

And these clowns appear to be plotting another military action in Syria.

AMAZING!

11th MEU, EFSS and AAVs. Photos by Sgt. Elyssa Quesada

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 work together to fit a 120mm mortar into a tracked vehicle for the first time here June 15. The Marines are a part of a field exercise conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 work together to fit a 120mm mortar into a tracked vehicle for the first time here June 15. The Marines are a part of a field exercise conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 work together to fit a tactical vehicle into a tracked vehicle for the first time here June 15.The Marines are a part of a field exercise conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 work together to fit a tactical vehicle into a tracked vehicle for the first time here June 15. The Marines are a part of a field exercise conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

I had seen pics of the Marines in the Old Corps doing this with Jeeps and Howitzers and other gear when using the LVTP-5.

And if there ever was a shortcoming in the EFV design its the fact that it can't be used in a logistics role...a role that AAV/LVTPs have been performing since WW2.

Seabasing Systems.

Forcible Entry. The past, present and future of the Marine Corps.

Forcible Entry is the past, present and future of the Marine Corps.

Credible, real Expeditionary Operations are the past, present and future of the Marine Corps.  Not expeditionary in name...but in fact!

Being capable of providing hard, fast moving Shock Troops for the nation...and still being able to effectively fight the 3 block war is the past, present and future of the Marine Corps.

Marines already know this.  Do our policy makers?  And do our policy makers realize how capable, relevant and valuable this skill set that is the hallmark of the Marine Corps, is to our nation?

Combat Glide...

Marine demonstrates combat glide

Lance Cpl. Alfred Castaneda a rifleman with 3rd Platoon, Landing Force Company, demonstrates a combat glide during Military Operations in Urban Terrain training with Marines from Korps Marinir, 2nd Marines, 6th Brigade, Tentara National Indonesia. The Marines and Sailors are participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011. CARAT is an annual bilateral exercise held between the U.S. and Southeast Asia nations with the goals of enhancing regional cooperation, promoting mutual trust and understanding, and increasing operational readiness throughout the participating nations. While in Indonesia, the servicemembers from both nations will train together on martial arts, military operations in urban terrain, jungle survival, combat marksmanship, sniper rifles and combat lifesaving skills. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Aaron Hostutler)

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Lance Cpl. Benjamin V. Stout, a Barnsville, Minn. native and machine gunner with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force (MRF), assists machine gunner Lance Cpl. Josh M. Tasior from Dallas, Texas, as they hold security on the outer cordon of a target site during an MRF training course here Jun. 15. The security provided by cordons allows for safe and expedited clearing of buildings. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Chad J. Pulliam/released)

Martial arts training with U.S. Marines with Landing Force

A Marine with Korps Marinir, 2nd Marines, 6th Brigade, Tentara National Indonesia, performs a kick during martial arts training with U.S. Marines with Landing Force Company May 27. The Marines and Sailors are participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011. CARAT is an annual bilateral exercise held between the U.S. and Southeast Asia nations with the goals of enhancing regional cooperation, promoting mutual trust and understanding, and increasing operational readiness throughout the participating nations. While in Indonesia, the servicemembers from both nations will train together on martial arts, military operations in urban terrain, jungle survival, combat marksmanship, sniper rifles and combat lifesaving skills. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Aaron Hostutler)

M27 to replace SAWs?

This is plain idiotic.

How the fuck do you shoot, move and communicate if you can't keep the bad guys heads down?

If you want precision fire then add a Designated Marksman to your Infantry Companies.

You don't reduce the number of SAWS that you deploy.  This from Military.com.

Gunners shooting the M27 have been getting first-round hits on targets beyond 300 meters much more consistently than they have in the past with the M249, Clark said.
"In the training, the Marines were employing it in the semi-auto mode until they closed within 100 meters or so of the enemy and then switch to full auto to provide very accurate high rates of fire," he added. "We don't lose the ability to gain fire superiority."

and this....

Marine weapons officials also maintain that the improved 30-round magazine that the Army developed for the M4 carbine and the M16 is working well in the M27.

Some are concerned that M27 gunners are not being issued higher-capacity magazines. Program officials have not ruled this out as a possibility for the future, but for now, gunners will carry about 22 of the standard 30-round magazines for a basic load.
"We are looking at the potential for high-capacity magazines, but right now the new service magazine with the brown follower is working really well," Clark said. "We have had no issues."

Read the whole story, but this is a STUPID.  INSANE.  POTENTIALLY TRAGIC STEP BACKWARDS.

Can anyone say Browning Automatic Rifle?  Who put these bastards in charge????

Elements of Power on the V-22 hit piece.

Catching up on some reading tonight led me to SMSGT Mac's blog Elements of Power.

I'm glad it did.  He covered a story that totally escaped my attention and one I'm beyond grateful that he covered.

Here's a piece but go to his place to read the whole thing.

Most of all, the article gives me (again) the urge to kick Bob Cox's macabre little voyeuristic a**.

If you take the time to read the article, you'll understand how he arrived at that decision.

Diving Supervisors Course.