And the move toward becoming a sea going 101st Airborne continues....
via USMC.mil
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - More than 35 Marine Corps aircraft will transport a battalion of infantry Marines from Camp Pendleton to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms to conduct an air assault training mission as part of Dawn Blitz, Friday, June 21.When you have a pussy ass wing commander acting as Commandant, you get pussy ass ideas. Air Assault...Table Salt....or should I say Sea Salt?
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing aircraft participating in the mission will include the MV-22B Osprey, CH-53E Super Sea Stallion, UH-1Y Super Huey, AH-1Z Super Cobra, KC-130J Super Hercules and AV-8B Harrier. The 500 Marines conducting the assault are assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
Dawn Blitz 2013 is a multinational exercise that the Navy and Marine Corps use to enhance their amphibious expeditionary tactics, techniques and procedures. This bilateral exercise represents the Navy and Marine Corps' ongoing efforts to meet the challenges of future conflicts, overseas contingency operations, humanitarian assistance/disaster response and homeland defense. Canada, Japan, and New Zealand are also participating in the exercise.
"Marine Aircraft Wing 16's participation in Dawn Blitz 2013 is significant on multiple levels. Having the opportunity to work with the international participants is vital for enhancing our ability to respond to crises as part of a joint or combined effort. This partnership builds confidence and trust that is essential for providing regional security, stability and prosperity. Friday's airlift is also noteworthy because it will demonstrate MAG-16's unique ability to conduct a tactical insert of a battalion-size infantry unit in a single wave of aircraft. This type of mission is the foundation of Marine aviation and provides realistic, relevant training necessary for effective global crisis response," said Marine Aircraft Wing 16 Commanding Officer, Col. Patrick A. Gramuglia.
Will the USMC starting sending members to the US Army A/A and or Pathfinder school and let them wear the wings when they earn them. I had a stick of USMC at A/A school and they all made it through versus some of the blue falcons from the USA.
ReplyDeleteit wouldn't surprise me but at one time being able to rappel and fast rope from helicopters was standard fare for Marine Infantry. from what i understand the only difference is that at Air Assault School they go over sling loading and basic pathfinding ... that would be outside of what is taught by HRST Masters and Special Operations Training Group.
DeleteYep, the repelling part was easy. Gravity did its thing. Sling loading washed a lot. The practical (hands on) with a separate written test was a bag of joy. Setting up a LZ for three UH-60s by memory was fun for a few. The first morning was the hardest part with an Army APFT, Leadership Reaction Course and two mile run. It was amazing how many we lost in three hours.
ReplyDeleteyeah everyone i ever talked to that had air assault and jump wings said that air assault school was the harder of the two. and don't get the guys from the 101st talking, cause the way they tell it they shit sunshine and daffodils!
DeleteIt seems that more and more of our "commanders" are getting "pussywhip" syndrome. Wonder why???
ReplyDeletei don't get it. the military has been led by the CIC for the past 5 years and if you notice (and this applies whether you support or oppose him) Obama is probably the world's biggest pussy, as a matter of fact he's so pussy he blots out the sun...but its worse than that. Obama is indecisive and now the Joint Chiefs are mirroring him. and of course the closer you are to the Pentagon, the more you will seek to imitate those folks.
Deleteits really sad.
That is why you see an exodus of massive proportions of warriors leaving. My old 1SG is going down range again and he whistles the "Mickey Mouse" song a lot.
ReplyDelete