MRF VBSS Aerial Security in the South China Sea

Caption

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Sept. 6, 2020) Lance Cpl. Quentin Kachelmeier, a radio operator with the Maritime Raid Force (MRF), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), uses an Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) during a Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) mission on a UH-1Y Venom helicopter with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, after taking off from amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). VBSS is part of Maritime Interception Operations that aim to delay, disrupt, or destroy enemy forces or supplies in the maritime domain. America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit team, is operating in the 7th fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brandon Salas)

 The push for a "return to our naval roots" is causing pure lunacy in our training and obviously planning.

Do you think we would "interdict" a Chinese flagged vessel?  Do you think we could do it more than once without the chopper flying in Navy SEALs or the Maritime Raid Force to be shot out of the sky before those snipers could even get a target sighted?

This is a holdover from the war on terror and/or fighting pirates off the coast of Africa.

It has no place in a peer conflict.  The sad truth?  Unless you're repelling an assault, launching an assault or sinking a ship then you're not doing much in the naval battle.

The future will see Chinese boots either making it to shore or not.  If they get feet dry then they will carry the day.  The Missile Marines will NOT be able to repulse an attack and surely won't be able to launch an assault on their forces once they're on land.

It's up to the Navy/Air Force to keep them off the beach and if they make it there it will be up to the US Army to get them off.

That's where Berger is leading us.