11th MEU and Assault Craft Unit 5 in action.

*Note*

There are a couple of units that deserve a bit more attention when talking about the MEU and how they conduct operations.  They're the Sea Bee's and Assault Craft Unit's.  I'll rectify that in the future.  But there is something else I'll be keeping an eye on.  Since I first saw the "extra" Marine Corps aircraft at Djibouti, I'm convinced that every MEU that deploys to this region is dropping off detachments there and the rest of the MEU is continuing on with its mission.  That's just speculation on my part but we'll see.

All photos by Petty Officer 1st Class David McKee

A landing craft air cushion assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5 departs the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) with humvees and amphibious assault vehicles. LAV's.  Makin Island and embarked Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

A landing craft air cushion assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5 departs the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) with humvees and amphibious assault vehicles LAV's.   Makin Island and embarked Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

A landing craft air cushion assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5 departs the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) with an M1 A1 Abrams main battle tank. Makin Island and embarked Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

A landing craft air cushion assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5 departs the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) with an M1 A1 Abrams main battle tank. Makin Island and embarked Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Where are the USAF Special Ops CV-22's???

Remember the Libyan War?

Remember the rescue of the downed F-15 pilots by the Marine Corps' MEU flying MV-22's backed  up by CH-53's and escorted by AV-8B's?

I always assumed that USAF Combat Search and Rescue was stationed on land and that it would take them too long to get there.

I thought wrong.  Check this out from SLD.

First, the Libyan TRAP mission showed the ready now nature of joint basing of the AV-8 and MV-22s on the USS Kearsage.
Colonel Mark Desens, Commander 26th MEU:
When we learned that a F-15 crew had ejected east of Benghazi, we immediately focused our efforts on getting ready to rescue them.

The mission was given to us for two reasons: one, first and foremost, was the uncertain environment. We didn’t know what was going on on the ground with the pilot. The second is we were the most ready and had the most responsive assets, most notably, the MV-22. Backed up by CH-53s and Harriers, we had very potent reaction force in case we needed to fight to get the crew out or reinforce the recovery or crash site. As an aside, a recovery asset launching from land base — the next closest locations being Sigonella or Souda Bay — would have been four or more hours.

There were USAF HH-60G rescue helicopters embarked on the Ponce to give a CSAR capability with improved reaction times. However, you’re comparing 270 knots versus 140. It would have taken at least 45 minutes longer for a helicopter to get there. U.S. forces may well have not been the first to reach that pilot without the MV-22. Given the situation, that was not acceptable. The other thing is that for a helo, a direct flight path (to save time) to the pilot would have gone through Benghazi, a potential threat area at the time. The Osprey could chart a very different path, avoiding any potential air defense threats.

Again the speed and range of the Osprey coupled with the ability to have Marines on the ground to secure the perimeter was the key.

So USAF Combat Search and Rescue was forward deployed (aboard a Navy Amphib...very ironic considering all the talk about the contribution of the Gator Navy being irrelevant).

They just didn't have the tools to get the job done.  Correction.  They didn't have the tools on hand to get the job done.

I've wondered why we haven't seen the CV-22 used more often.  The MH-53J was rode HARD.  It seems as if the USAF is still in an evaluation period with their aircraft.

Either way, the USAF in general and SOCOM in particular has got to get this equipment into the fight in a big way.  If not then they need to give the aircraft to the Marine Corps.  We can use them if they won't.

Monday Mudballing....

Question.

The head of SOCOM has asked for more power to deploy his units world wide in the hunt for terrorist.  What he hasn't asked for is the removal of conventional forces from Afghanistan so that SOCOM can take over in that country.

Why is that?  Why hasn't SOCOM asked for a larger role in Afghanistan?

My theory is because they don't want to do the dirty work of training (well except for Special Forces) these forces.  Afghanistan is a classic counter insurgency mission that should be the sole responsibility of Special Operations forces.

The conventional forces should be out of there.  But they can't, because SOCOM only does raids now.  We have an entire branch of the military that does nothing but raids. 

That's unsat.

Its time for SOCOM to start pulling its weight.  Its time for it to stop leveraging off the conventional forces and to stand on its own.  Every where SOCOM goes it request conventional forces to "assist" it.

This really amounts to doing the work that SOCOM is now too good to do.

They establish a compound somewhere....you'll have conventional forces pulling guard duty.

They perform a protection detail...they'll be inside with the protectorate and you'll have conventional forces outside guarding vehicles and the perimeter.

They perform a rescue mission.  More than likely you'll have a conventional unit loaded to the bear ready to perform quick reaction force duties.

It goes on and on.

Time for the "rock stars" of the military world to start pulling there weight.  If not then how about they hand back in those Rolex watches, turn in those 1000 dollar smocks, stop buying boutique weapons that do the same damn thing that a normal weapon does and put that black budget under some sunlight so we can see exactly how much they're costing the taxpayer.

Want a startling fact?


The founder of Seal Team 6 bragged that his small unit had a budget larger than the entire Marine Corps.


With that in mind can we afford to have a branch thats the size of 3 Army Divisions that duplicates the US Army Ranger mission and only does raids?  Or is it time to think about eliminating duplication, slashing personnel in SOCOM instead of enlarging it and pushing all these units back to there parent service so that these SOCOM bubbas can get some adult supervision?

UPDATE:

THERE ARE REPORTS THAT THE SOLDIER THAT COMMITTED THE MURDERS IN AFGHANISTAN WAS GUARDING A SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMPOUND.  

All that hard work, training & effort....

Capt. Robert Schwaab, the assistant logistics officer for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, coordinates with non-governmental organization leaders to assist in effective humanitarian aid distribution here, Mar. 10. The 31st MEU is currently conducting their certification exercise, which is conducted with the Amphibious Squadron 11, and qualifies the MEU/ARG team for a wide range of actual contingency missions in the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the United States' expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region, and is currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 11.  By 2nd Lt Dave Baugh

Check out the above photo.


I don't know whether to laugh or cry for that Marine Captain.


All that hard work he's obviously done.  Jump school...then to go on and win Naval Jump Wings.  Pilot wings on his chest...so he's put in the work there too.


And instead of planning a raid against terrorist in Africa...


Leading Marines in Afghanistan...


Flying a piece of high tech hardware to support and maybe even save some grunt on the ground...

He's practicing how to conduct operations with non-governmental agencies (this color is suppose to be pink...take from it what you will but I'm sure you get the idea)!  

Oh and let me tell ya.  Those very same agencies hate the military.  Bitch when we're in the area and cry when we're not.  Additionally they're incompetent at there jobs (do a Google search on USAID during the Haiti earthquakes)!

I know this is simply a certification exercise but the amount of focus that the Marine Corps is placing on these types of operations is beyond the pale.

Something is broken with the Marine Corps.  IT HAS LOST ITS WAY!  Are we no longer warriors?  Dare I ask.  Are we no longer war fighters?  Are we simply Salvation Army with guns?

Meals on Wheels Practice.

A CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), lands on the flight deck here, March 10. The helicopters were delivering Marines and supplies to Okinawa during the 31st MEU's Certification Exercise. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation's force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.  By Cpl Gary Welch

Marines of Battery L, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, carry food to a distribution site in support of the humanitarian assistance exercise here, Mar. 11. The 31st MEU is currently conducting their certification exercise, which is conducted with the Amphibious Squadron 11, and qualifies the MEU/ARG team for a wide range of actual contingency missions in the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the United States' expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region, and is currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 11.  By 2nd Lt Dave Baugh

Evacuees are loaded onto CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters by Marines of Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a mock noncombatant evacuation operation, March 11. The NEO was conducted during the MEU's Certification Exercise in preparation for the upcoming deployment to the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation's force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.  By Cpl Garry Welch

Evacuees are loaded onto CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters by Marines of Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a mock noncombatant evacuation operation, March 11. The NEO was conducted during the MEU's Certification Exercise in preparation for the upcoming deployment to the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation's force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.  By Cpl Garry Welch

Special Ops Ghost Vessel.

Juliet Marine GHOST Ad 11 1

General Allen saw this shooting coming...

Remember my post on  26FEB2011????

General Allen told the troops that "this is not the time to seek revenge" and to "use the discipline" they're so proud of and to basically muscle through the pain of the Afghans indiscriminately killing allied forces.

That didn't quite work.

Time for plan B...wait we're past that too. 

Time for plan Z.

Let's leave that God forsaken country.

The Commandant's running out of time & the ACV.

"We will have a vehicle before I leave office."

You're running out of time Commandant.  

The same issues that doomed the EFV seem to be dooming the ACV...

*Lack of urgency on the part of Marine Corps Acquisitions Officials...

*A mindset that the AAV is good enough...

*Other priorities....

The problem is quite simply this.  The AAV is as old as dinosaur bones.  Its beyond time to get it replaced, and yet the US Army is showing more urgency, and is being more tenacious when it comes to replacing the Bradley IFV which is practically new when compared to the Marine's vehicle.

Since the AAV has been in service the US Army has fielded the following vehicles....

Ok, this is the Australian version of the M-113 but you get the point.  The Army introduced this vehicle during the Vietnam War...

The Bradley IFV...the current US Army Chief of Staff is not a fan of this vehicle.  As a matter of fact he pretty much damned it, but if the truth be known it has performed quite well, has excellent off road agility and has outstanding firepower.  They could have product improved this IFV but are choosing not to.

The Stryker.  I'm not as sold on this vehicle as the US Army is but they're selling the future of the Army on the capabilities...and weaknesses it has.  Its all rather immaterial though.  The GCV might end up relegating this vehicle to state side use.

Three combat vehicles.

The US Army has done it and is now working on its next generation replacements for the Bradley and the M-113.  Oh and don't be confused...they're two different programs.

While the US Marines can't get the AAV replacement off the ground.

Disgraceful!

Chilean Marder's and Leopard 2A4's.

I've had a focus on the happenings in the Middle East, Europe and the Pacific.

Understandable but probably not smart. Ya see we have a bunch of stuff going on in S. America that deserves attention.

How I missed it I don't know but tiny Chile is building a formidable force.  Their order of battle is impressive and they have a goal of having a fully mechanized Army by 2015.  But the photos of the Leopard 2 and Marder operating in battle formation had me asking one question.

Who are they getting ready for?

TAPV and the near future of armor advances.

Canada's TAPV is another of those armored vehicle programs that's suddenly gotten quiet.

During 2011 there was a flurry of activity...Textron even moved into a new building in Canada...but nothing since.  My big worry is that once the JLTV, GCV, MPC and ACV programs are done (in addition to this one) that's going to be a wrap for the foreseeable future.

I think we're seriously heading into a time of upgrades and upgrades only.  It is entirely possible that the same tank (with upgrades) being driven today will be the same one thats driven by some Tankers great grandson in 2050.

That should give everyone in the armor industry pause.  The great armor depression is right around the corner.

via Defense and Freedom

What's going to add to the pain is the fact that even small nations are developing home grown armored vehicles to meed their needs.  The big companies...Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, BAE, KMW and others are going to have to develop some kind of strategy to penetrate those markets or else watch market share disappear.  I hate to say it but partnerships are the only viable solution.  Develop the vehicle and then allow production to occur in the smaller country.  Maybe not as profitable but it will allow some of the big guys to survive...or else we're going to see consolidation like never before.  It could make what happened in the aircraft industry look like a spring shower.