Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Mar Div does MOUT training.

CAB is doing MOUT training out at Cobra Gold.  I hope 3rd MEF is doing some serious planning.  The Pacific will prove to be a much more complex fighting environment than anything the US has faced in the last 50 years.  Only the fighting in Vietnam will compare.

Why do I say that?

Because you'll see some of the most technologically advanced forces (and I'm not talking about China yet) squared off over the sea, in the jungle and inside some highly populated cities.  Add to it the travesty that is the "total war concept" meaning that WE (the actual fighting units) bring into theater State Dept personnel, Justice Dept personnel, the alphabet soup of Federal Law Enforcement Agencies and mix that up with will probably be restrictive, politically correct, liberal/tying the hands of the warfighter rules of engagement and we're looking at trouble in a handbag.

Oh and did I mention that we're going to be doing this fighting with smaller land, air and sea forces?  Did I forget to mention that if you do it right, jungle and urban warfare are extremely manpower intensive?  Did I remember to mention that jungles and cities are nightmares for one of our remaining areas of superiority...helicopters?

Yeah...I'm very happy that CAB is practicing this skill set.  As a matter of fact the more I think about it the more I think even HQ Navy and Marine Corps finally deserves a pat on the back.  The response to the "ss" flag was spot on and the training evolutions are a direct and positive turn to the future.  Good job.  Now let us roll our sleeves again.

BAN CHAM KREM, Kingdom of Thailand -Sgt. Kyle J. Becker, team leader with Force Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, conducts professional military education alongside Royal Thai Marines here Feb. 8. Cobra Gold is a recurring multinational and multiservice exercise co-hosted by the Kingdom of Thailand and the U.S. designed to advance regional security by exercising a multinational force from nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brandon L. Saunders/released), Sgt. Brandon L. Saunders, 2/8/2012 5:28 AM

BAN CHAM KREM, Kingdom of Thailand-Royal Thai Marines practice weapons handling skills before advancing through the Military Operations on Urban Terrain town at the training area here Feb. 8 during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. Cobra Gold is a recurring multinational and multiservice exercise co-hosted by the Kingdom of Thailand and the U.S. designed to advance regional security by exercising a multinational force from nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brandon L. Saunders/released), Brandon L. Saunders, 2/8/2012 5:30 AM

BAN CHAM KREM, Kingdom of Thailand -Marines attached to Training Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, clear buildings during Military Operations on Urban Terrain training here Feb. 8. during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. Cobra Gold is a recurring multinational and multiservice exercise co-hosted by the Kingdom of Thailand and the U.S. designed to advance regional security by exercising a multinational force from nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brandon L. Saunders/released), Sgt. Brandon L. Saunders, 2/8/2012 5:35 AM

BAN CHAM KREM, Kingdom of Thailand -Marines attached to Training Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, clear buildings during Military Operations on Urban Terrain training here Feb. 8. during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. Cobra Gold is a recurring multinational and multiservice exercise co-hosted by the Kingdom of Thailand and the U.S. designed to advance regional security by exercising a multinational force from nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brandon L. Saunders/released), Sgt. Brandon L. Saunders, 2/8/2012 5:36 AM

BAN CHAM KREM, Kingdom of Thailand -Royal Thai Marines practice weapons handling skills before advancing through the Military Operations on Urban Terrain town at the training area here Feb. 8 during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. Cobra Gold is a recurring multinational and multiservice exercise co-hosted by the Kingdom of Thailand and the U.S. designed to advance regional security by exercising a multinational force from nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brandon L. Saunders/released), Sgt. Brandon L. Saunders, 2/8/2012 5:49 AM