I wrote an earlier post asking why a MEU mission was now being given to a MEB. It makes no sense on a number of levels. First its a waste of personnel. Second, it adds friction to an already chaotic situation. And finally its not in keeping with Marine Corps precedent to assign missions to the lowest element possible. Check this out from Marine Corps Times...
It’s not immediately clear how many Marines will get on those ships or which of the MEU’s units will be represented.This is sad and pathetic.
The 31st MEU, which includes about 2,200 personnel, has a host of capabilities and routinely trains for humanitarian-assistance missions, said Capt. Garron Garn, a spokesman for the unit. As an air-ground task force, the MEU’s inventory includes a variety of helicopters, smaller seagoing vessels and nearly 200 ground vehicles — among them 30 7-ton all-terrain trucks, which would be able to drive through flooded roads and transport supplies to areas that remain cutoff or difficult to access.
Beyond aviation and logistics assets, all MEUs have a 1,000-man infantry battalion. It remains to be seen whether the top Marine commander in the Philippines, Brig. Gen. Paul Kennedy, thinks infantry personnel will be needed.
Amos and his boys came up with a new concept, want to test it out and anyone with even a little knowledge of the Marine Corps knows its bullshit.
So what we're facing is a MEU, being placed under the operational control of a MEB...ignore the fact that the MEU is task organized as is to carry out this type mission without the need of support from a higher headquarters....
