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....
With 'star creep' there are all those generals so why not use one, the thinking goes.
ReplyDeleteThe MEU is designed to be 1st on scene equipped to assist immediately.
ReplyDeleteA MEU has higher priority contingencies. How long should a MEU remain on station?
How long does it's Command Staff shoulder the planning effort?
Who do you hand off to? An ad hoc SPMAGTF who's CE never trained together & now needs to be sped up during a RIP?
Or would it make more sense to have a portion of the MEB Command Element already trained & ready for rapid deployment via Osprey so that they can be 1st on scene.
MEB CE can be there in a matter of hours coordinating while the MEU is still in transit. The MEU's not going to detach it's CE, it's not going to remain behind to maintain continuity of command when follow on forces free up the MEU to get back to Contingency Ops.
Your logic is flawed on so many levels.
1) 'It's a waste of personnel", how? It's the most efficient use of personnel. Your using a staff that's already exists instead of an ad hoc Special Purpose MAGTF that unlike the MEU can stay.
2) "Second, it adds friction to an already chaotic situation." They arrive long before the MEU provide Command & Control and stay long after the MEU is gone. In other words providing a single command throughout the duration of the operation or Command Continuity. There's nothing less friction causing then that.
3) "And finally its not in keeping with Marine Corps precedent to assign missions to the lowest element possible." The MEU commander just commands the MEU, the MEB CE Cmdr commands all Navy/MC Forces. In this case he's Cmdr of all US HA/DR forces in the Philippines. That would never be a 0-6/MEU or AMPHSQN Cmdr.
you're being a purposeful jackass.
Delete1. why are we suddenly forming our entire Corps around the MV-22? the idea that we're now a completely heliborne force makes me sick to my stomach. i despise the two naval aviators that got slammed into the Commandant and Asst commandant's chairs for doing so.
2. The SPMAGTF can deploy by air if needed. so can the MEU. there is nothing written that states that a MEU must arrive by ship. but we do need the heavy equipment that can only be brought in by ship because you DAMN SURE CAN"T LIFT A BULLDOZER with the MV-22. additionally you MAKE THE ASSUMPTION that the MEB is going to be the lead in every one of these situations. have you forgotten about PACOM? they get a say in who's doing what in his own backyard. that goes worldwide.
3. you can have the clown thats running 3rd MEB to go back to TBS. i'm not impressed. the reaction to the incident in Haiti was swift without using a MEB. what i'm seeing in the Philippines is simply showboating for the press. work can't get done till you get engineers and grunts on the ground put back to work.
the main push i'm seeing from you and HQMC is a shiny new concept to give AMOS a legacy and people pimping the MV-22.
both are disgusting.
Your either a little thick or a little retarded. Every question you asked is already answered so it's useless explaining it any further.
DeleteYou lack basic comprehension.
In the context of Emergency/Crisis Response I said, "The MEU commander would just command the MEU, the MEB CE Cmdr would command all Navy/MC Forces(as on scene cmdr in the context of CR). In this case (referring to the current Crisis he's the Joint Force Cmdr) he's Cmdr of all US HA/DR forces in the Philippines.
This is how you comprehended it, "additionally you MAKE THE ASSUMPTION that the MEB is going to be the lead in every one of these situations. have you forgotten about PACOM? they get a say in who's doing what in his own backyard. that goes worldwide."
"..in every one of these situatIons." Wow
Its useless explaining that's not what I said, because you lack comprehension.
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