A USMC Unit from WW2 that you never knew existed.

Every Marine can probably name the Marine Divisions from WW2.  Identify the Marine Raiders.  The legendary figures from that time.

But how many Marines know that during WW2, the Marines had a Parachute Battalion?  I didn't.  This is its history.

Silk Chutes and Hard Fighting US Marine Corps Parachute Units in WWII

I read a story that the Marine Raiders were open to the idea of Marine Special Operations linking to its history.

Of course Force Recon, can also make the claim of being Marine Special Ops fore fathers. 

My question is this.  If Marine Raiders and Force Recon can both claim to be forerunners of Marine Special Ops then why can't Marine Parachute Units?

USS Bataan to Syria? Special Forces to Libya?

Purify my Heart (thanks bud) gave me a heads up that the USS Bataan was steaming toward the Syrian coast.

Quite honestly, I didn't know what to make of this news.  A Google search revealed two things.

First, from Debka File:

This huge concentration of naval missile interceptor units looks like preparations by Washington for the contingency of Iran, Syria and Hizballah letting loose with surface missiles against US and Israeli targets in the event of US military intervention to stop the anti-opposition slaughter underway in Syria.
Moscow, Tehran and Damascus, in particular, are taking this exceptional spate of American military movements in and around the Mediterranean as realistically portending American intervention in Syria.
This concentration of US might also the effect of deterring the Turkish government from going through with its decision to send Turkish troops into Syria. The plan was to create a protected buffer zone where the thousands of refugees in flight from the Assad regime's military crackdown would be kept safe on Syrian side of the border and out of Turkey.
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyep Erdogan is averse to be seen working hand in glove militarily with any US interference in Syria. At the same time, Western intelligence sources in the Persian Gulf are sure Washington is coordinating its military movements with Ankara and that Erdogan quietly agreed to place Turkish bases at US disposal for an operation in Syria.
debka file's military sources also report that Monday, June 13, Hizballah began shifting the long- and medium-range rockets it had stored in northern Lebanon to locations in the center of the country. Western military sources first thought the Lebanese Shiite group was taking the precaution of keeping its arsenal safe from a spillover of violence from Syria. Tuesday, however, they learned that Iranian intelligence had advised Hizballah to remove its rockets out of range of a possible American operation in Syria.
Tuesday, Iran capped these events with three separate warnings to the Obama administration against military interference in Syria.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said Tuesday: "The Americans are not allowed to launch a military intervention in any country of the region including Syria."
He accused "Israel and the USA of standing behind the riots in Syria, Iran's closest ally in the Arab world… with particular aims…of provoking terrorist groups in Syria and in the region to carry out terrorist and sabotage operations."
Another spokesman warned: "Western attempts to set the model of Libya in Damascus are doomed to failure."
Iranian Vice President Reza Rahimi accused the United States of preparing and executing "the slaughter of Muslims" worldwide.
Iran's ground forces commander Brig. Gen. Kioumars Heidari added this threat: Any new military move by the US in the region will impose heavy costs on the country far greater than the costs it paid in Iraq and Afghanistan."

The story from Debka File (read the whole thing) has some pretty troubling info in it (if its true).  The idea that we're going to open up a new front in both Syria and Libya (how they got word about a Special Forces deployment---if true---is beyond me) is beyond troubling.  Its crazy.

The idea that we're once again acting at the behest of another nation is (in my opinion) insane.  In this case Turkey!  Amazing.

Like I said, its troubling and from what I gathered in my search, Debka File has extreme credibility in some circles...less in others---so I just don't know.

I do know that the story has been picked up by alternate news sites and is spreading like wildfire on the net.

Its up to you to decide or you can do like me and watch it all unfold.

Sidenote:

One curious thing.  The USS Bataan's Facebook page indicates that they've experienced problems with their e-mail system.  Is this a 'civilized' way of blacking out a ship?

UPDATE:

Seems that Debka was right about at least a portion of the story.  This from the Telegraph;

Government sources told a leading Turkish newspaper that soldiers could be sent in to Syria to set up a "safe haven" under plans being considered should the flood of those fleeing the fighting worsened.

"We would close the border but we cannot turn our back," a Turkish official told the newspaper, Hurriyet. "If chaos starts, then we will have to form a security zone or a buffer zone inside Syrian territory."

And to show that there is a bit of coordination going on behind the scenes we have the brave and bold UN secretary trying to flex his nonexistent muscles.  This from the Washington Post.

Speaking to journalists in Brazil, his last stop in a South America tour that included Colombia, Argentina and Uruguay, Ban called on Syria’s president to “stop killing people” and told reporters that he’d urged Assad to “engage in inclusive dialogue and to take bold measures before it’s too late.”

If you've observed UN Secretary's then you'll realize that they always beg and cajole but never make definitive, almost threatening statements unless the pie is already baked and they've been given an indication of support from either or both the US and the EU...and probably with a nod from Russia and China.

Something is going on behind the scenes regarding Syria.  Our administration and the wonder kids in Europe have been behind the eight ball and wrong on every count so far.  No reason to expect them to get this right either.

Three current wars...Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.  Two ongoing humanitarian disasters (outside the US) ...Haiti and Japan.  A crushing budget deficit.  Extremely high gas prices.  Wild fires, flooding, drought and a heat wave within our own borders.

And these clowns appear to be plotting another military action in Syria.

AMAZING!

11th MEU, EFSS and AAVs. Photos by Sgt. Elyssa Quesada

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 work together to fit a 120mm mortar into a tracked vehicle for the first time here June 15. The Marines are a part of a field exercise conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 work together to fit a 120mm mortar into a tracked vehicle for the first time here June 15. The Marines are a part of a field exercise conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 work together to fit a tactical vehicle into a tracked vehicle for the first time here June 15.The Marines are a part of a field exercise conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 work together to fit a tactical vehicle into a tracked vehicle for the first time here June 15. The Marines are a part of a field exercise conducted by the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

I had seen pics of the Marines in the Old Corps doing this with Jeeps and Howitzers and other gear when using the LVTP-5.

And if there ever was a shortcoming in the EFV design its the fact that it can't be used in a logistics role...a role that AAV/LVTPs have been performing since WW2.

Seabasing Systems.

Forcible Entry. The past, present and future of the Marine Corps.

Forcible Entry is the past, present and future of the Marine Corps.

Credible, real Expeditionary Operations are the past, present and future of the Marine Corps.  Not expeditionary in name...but in fact!

Being capable of providing hard, fast moving Shock Troops for the nation...and still being able to effectively fight the 3 block war is the past, present and future of the Marine Corps.

Marines already know this.  Do our policy makers?  And do our policy makers realize how capable, relevant and valuable this skill set that is the hallmark of the Marine Corps, is to our nation?

Blast from the past...Sea Apache.

I get asked occasionally why no Sea Apache?  The US Marine Corps is famous for 'not reinventing the wheel'....if a weapon system is applicable to Marine Corps use and works then its easier, simpler and more cost effective to procure that system.

Assuming of course that it meets Marine Corps doctrine.

The proposed Sea Apache unfortunately did not meet those requirements and was never pursued.  Luckily Aviastar has a wonderful article on the concept and its worth a read.(all pics are from Aviastar)

Amphib decked out for littoral combat?

I didn't notice this when I first posted the above pic.  But this LPD-17 class ship has 3 AH-1W's on its deck along with a UH-1N.

Besides observing that it has room for a few more helicopters, it must be noted that this is the perfect setup for Command, Control,  Attack and Interdiction (CCAI) of boats in the littorals.

Add to it the Boat Companies that these ships carry and you have a mini-ARG setup to control large swaths of coast line.

The Gator Navy.

The most pro-active force in the fleet.

Combat Glide...

Marine demonstrates combat glide

Lance Cpl. Alfred Castaneda a rifleman with 3rd Platoon, Landing Force Company, demonstrates a combat glide during Military Operations in Urban Terrain training with Marines from Korps Marinir, 2nd Marines, 6th Brigade, Tentara National Indonesia. The Marines and Sailors are participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011. CARAT is an annual bilateral exercise held between the U.S. and Southeast Asia nations with the goals of enhancing regional cooperation, promoting mutual trust and understanding, and increasing operational readiness throughout the participating nations. While in Indonesia, the servicemembers from both nations will train together on martial arts, military operations in urban terrain, jungle survival, combat marksmanship, sniper rifles and combat lifesaving skills. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Aaron Hostutler)

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Lance Cpl. Benjamin V. Stout, a Barnsville, Minn. native and machine gunner with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force (MRF), assists machine gunner Lance Cpl. Josh M. Tasior from Dallas, Texas, as they hold security on the outer cordon of a target site during an MRF training course here Jun. 15. The security provided by cordons allows for safe and expedited clearing of buildings. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Chad J. Pulliam/released)

Martial arts training with U.S. Marines with Landing Force

A Marine with Korps Marinir, 2nd Marines, 6th Brigade, Tentara National Indonesia, performs a kick during martial arts training with U.S. Marines with Landing Force Company May 27. The Marines and Sailors are participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011. CARAT is an annual bilateral exercise held between the U.S. and Southeast Asia nations with the goals of enhancing regional cooperation, promoting mutual trust and understanding, and increasing operational readiness throughout the participating nations. While in Indonesia, the servicemembers from both nations will train together on martial arts, military operations in urban terrain, jungle survival, combat marksmanship, sniper rifles and combat lifesaving skills. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Aaron Hostutler)

F-35 June Test Update Vid.

Thanks Phil!  Totally missed this one.

Trimble channels Sweetman.

Read this and tell me that the Sith Lord hasn't influenced the young Padawan learner...

The F-35 enters the Paris Air Show on a high note. Perhaps like Canada committing to buy 65 F-35As on the eve of the Farnborough show last year, Lockheed Martin served up a whopper of a press release a few days ahead of the show. Here are some highlights:

• A finally complete fleet of 13 flight test aircraft has flown more sorties through 15 June than all of last year. That's not unexpected after the test fleet population has roughly doubled since 12 months ago, but it's a major accomplishment. If trends continue, the fleet should have no trouble easily surpassing the 872-sortie goal set by the programme for this year. 
• The F-35A variant's AF-1 has come within M0.07 of its top speed of M1.6, and AF-7 has remained airborne for 4.1h. 
• At least 17 F-35s, including the retired AA-1 test aircraft and four early production jets, have been flown and delivered. 

All of that is not to suggest the F-35 has resolved all concerns. Lockheed has not provided an update on mean time between failure rates, which were last year were a 1.8h for the F-35A and about 24 minutes for the F-35B, according to the Government Accountability Office. Thermal loads for mission systems aircraft AF-3 and BF-4 have not jet been tested in the heat of the California and Maryland summer. House appropriators, meanwhile, have proposing removing $75.7 million from next year's budget, which would have launched development of Block IV software. With Block III software already four years behind schedule, there's no need to start working on Block IV.

Geez.

Talking about making dog food out of 5 star meal!

I continue to marvel at the ability of main stream reporters to continue to take outstanding news and make it sound as if the program is still on a downward trajectory.

I have yet to read in Flight Global, Ares, Defense Technology International or Aviation Week....these simple words.

After an extremely shaky start, the JSF Program Office, Lockheed Martin and the Defense Dept have turned the F-35 program around.

I doubt that I ever will....even when the skies are filled with F-35's.

.

Still no Riverine Units identified as participating.  Time to get in the game boys....

The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde departs after a routine port visit at U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay. Mesa Verda is deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

Amphibious assault vehicles launched from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga conduct an amphibious landing exercise during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Malaysia 2011. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness.

NAVAIR V-22 testing.