Humor. Explanation of the world economic situation in 3 minutes.

via ModernSurvivalOnline.

3rd Battalion 7th Marnes on Range 400...

NAVAIR AIRWAVES: 18 August 2011

31st MEU's Snipers and PSD's doin' it!

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -A Marine with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, ejects a shell casing from an M40 sniper rifle during an unknown distance shooting competition, August 17. The Marines were competing against each other for a prize and bragging rights. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 8/16/2011 8:01 PM

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -A Marine with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, engages targets during an unknown distance shooting competition, August 17. The Marines were competing against each other for a prize and bragging rights. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 8/16/2011 8:00 PM

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -A Marine with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon during an unknown distance shooting competition, August 17. The Marines were competing against each other for a prize and bragging rights. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 8/16/2011 8:01 PM

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -A Marine with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, engages targets during an unknown distance shooting competition, August 17. The Marines were competing against each other for a prize and bragging rights. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 8/16/2011 8:00 PM

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, run to their firing positions during an unknown distance shooting competition, August 17. The Marines were competing against each other for a prize and bragging rights. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 8/16/2011 8:00 PM

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, run to their firing positions during an unknown distance shooting competition, August 17. The Marines were competing against each other for a prize and bragging rights. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 8/16/2011 8:00 PM

Marine Air getting it done...

Marine Air.

As much as I slam the "fly guys" of the Corps, one thing is certain.  They're Marines...and they're getting the job done.

One of the untold stories of the conflicts that we're involved in that will only come out in Marine history journals is the work done with regards to the Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) Missions that these Marines have performed.

I would be curious to know how many millions of dollars have been saved because these Marines were able to recover downed aircraft instead of destroying them in place.

Helo-borne assault.

Close air support.

Tactical resupply.

Medivac.

TRAP missions.

Special Ops work.

The list goes on.  I hammer the wing like a big brother hammers a little brother.  Its done with love, its probably unfair and its fun for the big brother and annoys the hell outta the little one.

Well  consider this post the "apology" to the wing.

You guys are doing good work. 

Stay safe and Semper Fi.

God bless the 10th Mountain Division

If this story doesn't break your heart then you have no soul.

God bless the 10th Mountain.  Story via Stars and Stripes.

For those in Company C, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Thursday was the worst of days. Five of its Soldiers, all from 3rd Platoon’s 1st Squad, were killed when their Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All Terrain Vehicle rolled over an improvised explosive device on a desolate road in southern Kandahar province.
“It’s like your family just got ripped out of your heart,” Pfc. Thadius Deloatch said.

On Sunday, the Department of Defense identified those killed in the explosion: Sgt. Edward J. Frank II, 26, of Yonkers, N.Y.; Spc. Jameel T. Freeman, 26, of Baltimore, Md.; Spc. Patrick L. Lay II, 21, of Fletcher, N.C.; Spc. Jordan M. Morris, 23, of Stillwater, Okla.; Pfc. Rueben J. Lopez, 27, of Williams, Calif.

After the explosion Thursday, the battalion chaplain couldn’t get here soon enough. A line of Soldiers needing him waited late into the night, and early the next morning. For many, the tears pushed out in waves. For others, solace came in the form of a quiet stoicism.

“I don’t know what to do right now. My whole squad is gone,” Pfc. Jeremy Urzua said. His squad leader, Frank, was among the Soldiers killed in the blast and had given him a rare day off Thursday.
“I didn’t see it at first, but he just saved my life,” said Urzua, who was back at COP when the attack occurred that morning.

Longest Dead Snake Ever Seen

TRAP mission at an undisclosed location in Logar province,

U.S. Marines with the Helicopter Support Team (HST), 2nd Marine Logistics Group hook a sling onto a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 464 during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel (TRAP) mission at an undisclosed location in Logar province, Afghanistan, Aug. 10, 2011. HMH-464 and the HST performed TRAP missions in order to retrieve U.S. military equipment, and to conduct investigations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ricardo A. Gomez/Released)

Operation Black Sand

Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), set off a controlled detonation in the Ladar Bazaar in southern Musa Qal’ah District, Helmand province, during Operation Black Sand, Aug. 5. Through the combined efforts of 2nd CEB, Regimental Combat Team 8 and The Republic of Georgia’s 33rd Light Infantry Battalion, the Ladar Bazaar, which insurgents used to manufacture and distribute improvised explosive devices, was destroyed.

Lance Cpl. Christopher Davis, an anti-tank assaultman with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 8, and native of Shreveport, La., uses a command launch unit for a FGM-148 Javelin missile launcher to search for enemies after taking small arms fire from insurgents during Operation Black Sand in the southern portion of Musa Qal’ah District, Helmand province, Aug. 5. Through the combined efforts of 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), RCT-8 and The Republic of Georgia’s 33rd Light Infantry Battalion, the Ladar Bazaar, which insurgents used to manufacture and distribute improvised explosive devices, was destroyed.

A Black Hawk helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission soars through the skies of southern Musa Qal’ah District, Helmand province, Aug. 5. Through the combined efforts of 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), Regimental Combat Team 8 and The Republic of Georgia’s 33rd Light Infantry Battalion, the Ladar Bazaar, which insurgents used to manufacture and distribute improvised explosive devices, was destroyed.

Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), set off a controlled detonation in the Ladar Bazaar in southern Musa Qal’ah District, Helmand province, during Operation Black Sand, Aug. 6. Through the combined efforts of 2nd CEB, Regimental Combat Team 8 and The Republic of Georgia’s 33rd Light Infantry Battalion, the Ladar Bazaar, which insurgents used to manufacture and distribute improvised explosive devices, was destroyed.

Cpl. Jeff Drew, a combat correspondent assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), and native of Simsbury, Conn., scans a village for insurgent activity during the early morning hours of Aug. 5 during Operation Black Sand in the southern portion of the Musa Qal’ah District, Helmand province. Through the combined efforts of 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), Regimental Combat Team 8 and The Republic of Georgia’s 33rd Light Infantry Battalion, the Ladar Bazaar, which insurgents used to manufacture and distribute improvised explosive devices, was destroyed.

Cpl. Ryan Eastwick, a cryptologic linguist with Alpha Company, 2nd Radio Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), and native of Sacramento, Calif., points out cordon positions to fellow Marines during Operation Black Sand, in the southern portion of the Musa Qal’ah District, Helmand province, Aug. 5. Through the combined efforts of 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 8 and The Republic of Georgia’s 33rd Light Infantry Battalion, the bazaar, which insurgents used to manufacture and distribute improvised explosive devices, was completely destroyed.

Soldiers with The Republic of Georgia’s 33rd Light Infantry Battalion conduct last minute checks on their Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles at Combat Outpost Shukvani before executing Operation Black Sand in the southern portion of the Musa Qal’ah District, Helmand province, Aug. 5. Through the combined efforts of 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), Regimental Combat Team 8 and the 33rd LIB, the Ladar Bazaar, which insurgents used to manufacture and distribute improvised explosive devices, was destroyed.

An Assault Breaching Vehicle with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (Forward) moves into position during Operation Black Sand, Aug. 5, in southern Musa Qal’ah District, Helmand province. Through the combined efforts of 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), Regimental Combat Team 8 and The Republic of Georgia’s 33rd Light Infantry Battalion, the Ladar Bazaar, which insurgents used to manufacture and distribute improvised explosive devices, was destroyed.

RAF Voyager Tanker Aircraft

A Royal Air Force Voyager aircraft is pictured refuelling a Tornado GR4 during trials by Qinetic.
The RAF’s largest ever aircraft, Voyager, has been flown by an RAF pilot at the Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford for its first public appearance.
Fourteen Voyager aircraft and a complete support package are being provided to the RAF under a 27 year £10.5Bn Private Finance Initiative contract signed with the AirTanker consortium. In addition to the aircraft, the service will provide training and maintenance, and brand new purpose-built buildings at RAF Brize Norton, the RAF’s air transport hub.
Photographer: Qinetic via MoD

A Royal Air Force Voyager Tanker Aircraft.
The RAF’s largest ever aircraft, Voyager, has been flown by an RAF pilot at the Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford for its first public appearance.
Fourteen Voyager aircraft and a complete support package are being provided to the RAF under a 27 year £10.5Bn Private Finance Initiative contract signed with the AirTanker consortium. In addition to the aircraft, the service will provide training and maintenance, and brand new purpose-built buildings at RAF Brize Norton, the RAF’s air transport hub.
Photographer: Qinetic via MoD

A Royal Air Force Voyager Tanker Aircraft.
The RAF’s largest ever aircraft, Voyager, has been flown by an RAF pilot at the Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford for its first public appearance.
Fourteen Voyager aircraft and a complete support package are being provided to the RAF under a 27 year £10.5Bn Private Finance Initiative contract signed with the AirTanker consortium. In addition to the aircraft, the service will provide training and maintenance, and brand new purpose-built buildings at RAF Brize Norton, the RAF’s air transport hub.
Photographer: Qinetic via MoD

A Royal Air Force Voyager Tanker Aircraft.
The RAF’s largest ever aircraft, Voyager, has been flown by an RAF pilot at the Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford for its first public appearance.

Fourteen Voyager aircraft and a complete support package are being provided to the RAF under a 27 year £10.5Bn Private Finance Initiative contract signed with the AirTanker consortium. In addition to the aircraft, the service will provide training and maintenance, and brand new purpose-built buildings at RAF Brize Norton, the RAF’s air transport hub.

Photographer: Qinetic via MoD

A Royal Air Force Voyager Tanker Aircraft.
The RAF’s largest ever aircraft, Voyager, has been flown by an RAF pilot at the Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford for its first public appearance.
Fourteen Voyager aircraft and a complete support package are being provided to the RAF under a 27 year £10.5Bn Private Finance Initiative contract signed with the AirTanker consortium. In addition to the aircraft, the service will provide training and maintenance, and brand new purpose-built buildings at RAF Brize Norton, the RAF’s air transport hub.
Photographer: Qinetic via MoD

Wow.

The size of this tanker is pure dee crazy.

The USAF lucked into the right decision.  If they had picked the A-330 like all the Air Bus apologist had recommended then the infrastructure costs alone would have caused the USAF to go bankrupt.  Some are blaming Air Force woes on the stealth fighter force.

That couldn't be further from the truth.

What the USAF is facing is in essence the block obsolescence of several different classes of airplanes at the same time. If anything, the fighter force while not perfect is at least going to be recapitalized.  Every other type of airplane is in jeopardy.  And thats the shame of it. 

And even more from the11th MEU...

8/13/2011 By Cpl. Gene Allen Ainsworth III
First Lt. Joshua W. Cuellar, an infantry officer with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's ground combat element and a native of San Clemente, Calif., assesses an island artillery range hit by the unit's howitzers Aug. 13.

8/13/2011 By Cpl. Gene Allen Ainsworth III
Capt. Todd Eyesenbach marks airstrike locations on a map of this island Aug 13. Eyesenbach is the officer in charge of a detachment from 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company attached to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. His teams participated in close-air-support training Aug. 12-13.

8/14/2011 By Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn
A UH-1Y Venom piloted by Capts. Ben Schneider and Joshua Bosworth lifts from the amphibious assault ship Makin Island Aug. 14 to support a counter-piracy training mission miles from Southern California's San Clemente Island. The utility helicopter belongs to a detachment of skid-landing helicopters attached to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit embarked Makin Island and the amphibious transport dock New Orleans in San Diego and sailed Aug. 10 to begin its first seagoing exercise since becoming a complete Marine air-ground task force in May. Schneider, 34, is from Inver Grove Heights, Minn. Bosworth, 26, is from Vienna, Va.

8/14/2011 By Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn
A UH-1Y Venom piloted by Capts. Kyle Wilt and Joshua Gordon lifts from the amphibious assault ship Makin Island Aug. 14 to fly snipers supporting a counter-piracy training mission miles from Southern California's San Clemente Island. Wilt serves with a detachment of skid-landing helicopters attached to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit embarked Makin Island and the amphibious transport dock New Orleans in San Diego and sailed Aug. 10 to begin its first seagoing exercise since becoming a complete Marine air-ground task force in May. Wilt, 28, is from Charles Town, W.Va. Gordon, 28, is from Merriam, Kan.

8/14/2011 By Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn
An AH-1Z Viper piloted by Maj. Daniel P. McGuire lifts from the amphibious assault ship Makin Island Aug. 14 to support a counter-piracy training mission miles from Southern California’s San Clemente Island. The attack helicopter belongs to a detachment of skid-landing helicopters attached to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit embarked Makin Island and the amphibious transport dock New Orleans in San Diego and sailed Aug. 10 to begin its first seagoing exercise since becoming a complete Marine air-ground task force in May.

8/14/2011 By Lance Cpl. Claudia M. Palacios
Cpl. Andrew J. Martinez fires his rifle here Aug. 14. Martinez, 27, is the armory chief for Combat Logistics Battalion 11, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and is an El Centro, Calif., native. The battalion participated in combat marksmanship training as part of their pre-deployment training plan.

8/13/2011 By Cpl. Gene Allen Ainsworth
Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's gound combat element scout potential targets for artillery strikes here Aug. 13.

11th MEU's Maritime Raid Force Trains to Take Back Hijacked Ship

Amphibious Operations from 1990-2009

Time for another look back at our recent history.  This time its courtesy of US Naval Institute's Blog via its articles on Amphibious Operations from 1990-1999 and Amphibious Operations from 2000-2009.

Spare me the critics that attempt to parse these actions with comparisons to World War II actions.  That is not the point.

The point is that the US military has only three forms of forcible entry.

1.  Airborne Assault.
2.  Heliborne Assault.
3.  Amphibious Assault.

In many ways these skill sets are unique to the United States.  Most of the world's Marine Corps have the ability to raid, not invade.  Most of the world's airborne forces are able to at best raid...but don't have the ability to hold on to seized ground long enough for other forces to relieve them ... I know of no Heliborne force outside of the US that has the ability to move more than a couple of companies worth of soldiers at a time.

Its a Marine centric blog but the need to maintain all three forms of forcible entry are obvious. Only those with a vested interests in the weakening of our nation would claim otherwise.

With friends like Pakistan, who needs enemies?

via Reuters....

(Reuters) - Pakistan gave China access to the previously unknown U.S. "stealth" helicopter that crashed during the commando raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May despite explicit requests from the CIA not to, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.
The disclosure, if confirmed, is likely to further shake the U.S.-Pakistan relationship, which has been improving slightly after hitting its lowest point in decades following the killing of bin Laden.
During the raid, one of two modified Blackhawk helicopters, believed to employ unknown stealth capability, malfunctioned and crashed, forcing the commandos to abandon it.
"The U.S. now has information that Pakistan, particularly the ISI, gave access to the Chinese military to the downed helicopter in Abbottabad," the paper quoted a person "in intelligence circles" as saying on its website.
It said Pakistan, which enjoys a close relationship with China, allowed Chinese intelligence officials to take pictures of the crashed aircraft as well as take samples of its special "skin" that allowed the American raid to evade Pakistani radar.

Read the whole thing but the question becomes.  What do you globalist have to say now?  Many political pundits slam Ron Paul and call him an isolationist.

I say he's spot on.

Screw the world.  Act in our own best interests...and forget the starving masses yearning to be free until we have our own act together inside our own borders.

Oh and while we're at it, lets face facts.  China is a communist country and an enemy.  Pakistan is a backwards Islamist state and an enemy.  The list goes on.  If you want to be adult about other nations then lets start by being honest about them.

PS.
While the Obama administration is allowing a film to be made about this raid, I'd like to know who made the decision not to launch an airstrike on what remained of the Black Hawk.  I refuse to believe that Special Ops Command would have allowed any section to fall into enemy hands especially since they had overhead ISR assets broadcasting the entire raid.  I'm guessing this came straight from the top.  I could be wrong but thats my guess.

Guy Loses Patience

11th MEU at sea...

The amphibious transport dock New Orleans chases a vessel during a counterpiracy exercise Aug. 14. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked the amphibious assault ship Makin Island and New Orleans in San Diego and sailed Aug. 10 to begin its first seagoing exercise since becoming a complete Marine air-ground task force in May. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force conduct a search of a vessel during a counterpiracy exercise Aug. 14. The unit embarked the amphibious assault ship Makin Island and the amphibious transport dock New Orleans in San Diego and sailed Aug. 10 to begin its first seagoing exercise since becoming a complete Marine air-ground task force in May.  Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

A scout sniper with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force sights in from a helicopter during a counterpiracy exercise Aug. 14. The unit embarked the amphibious assault ship Makin Island and the amphibious transport dock New Orleans in San Diego and sailed Aug. 10 to begin its first seagoing exercise since becoming a complete Marine air-ground task force in May. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

The amphibious transport dock New Orleans shoulders a vessel during a counterpiracy exercise Aug. 14. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked the amphibious assault ship Makin Island and New Orleans in San Diego and sailed Aug. 10 to begin its first seagoing exercise since becoming a complete Marine air-ground task force in May. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

A UH-1Y Huey with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's aviation combat element takes off from USS Makin Island Aug. 12. The 11th MEU is conducting its first at sea exercise since becoming a complete Marine air ground task force in May. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

An AH-1Z Super Cobra with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's aviation combat element takes off from USS Makin Island Aug. 12. The 11th MEU is conducting its first at sea exercise since becoming a complete Marine air ground task force in May. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

A CH-46E Sea Knight with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's aviation combat element takes off from USS Makin Island Aug. 12. The 11th MEU is conducting its first at sea exercise since becoming a complete Marine air ground task force in May. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

Marines from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268(Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's aviation combat element, fly a CH-46E Sea Knight onto USS Makin Island Aug. 12. The 11th MEU is conducting its first at sea exercise since becoming a complete Marine air ground task force in May. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

A Marine with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), prepares to fly off USS Makin Island in a UH-1Y Huey Aug. 12. The 11th MEU is conducting its first at sea exercise since becoming a complete Marine air ground task force in May. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

ISAF Joins President Karzai in Condemning the Attack in Parwan Province

via ISAF

ISAF Headquarters Public Affairs Office- Afghanistan
2011-08-CA-004For Immediate Release
 
KABUL, Afghanistan (August 14, 2011) – The International Security Assistance Force joins President Karzai in condemning the IED attacks that killed 19 and wounded 37 today at the Provincial Governor’s compound in Parwan Province.

Initial reports indicate that one vehicle borne IED and as many as six other personal borne IEDs were detonated.

“This attack is another example of despicable behavior by insurgents,” said Rear Admiral Hal Pittman, ISAF Deputy Chief of Staff, Communications. “Violent attacks that wound and kill civilians are not acceptable in any religion or culture. Our condolences go out to the families and friends of the victims.”

Another attack.

Another day in Afghanistan.

Time to leave.  Now.

A moment alone

Dakota Meyer, 23, finds quiet and solitude in the Green County High School gym to practice his speech before giving remarks to his high school faculty and staff in Greensburg, Ky., Aug. 3. Meyer will be receiving the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for valor, from President Barack Obama in Washington, Sept. 15, making him the first living Marine recipient since the Vietnam War. Meyer was assigned to Embedded Training Team 2-8 advising the Afghan National Army in the eastern provinces bordering Pakistan. He will be awarded for heroic actions in Ganjgal, Afghanistan, Sept. 8, 2009.

Now these bastards are sending out press releases...

Jonathan...thanks for the heads up...I wish it were better news.

God get us out of Afghanistan....PLEASE.

I wish someone could explain to me the strategic reasoning behind continuing the fight in a country thats involved in a civil war, that desires to remain stuck in the 18th century, that has fewer than 100 AQ terrorist in it and one in which we are in essence nation building.

Rant over. Here's the news we all dread.

Five NATO Servicemen Killed in Afghan IED Attack

ABC News(KABUL, Afghanistan) -- Five American servicemembers of NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were killed in southern Afghanistan Thursday.

According to the ISAF, the troops died after they were attacked by an improvised explosive device, or IED.  A defense official says Americans were among the casualties.
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, sending a text message to the media.  They said two American Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, or MRAPs, were targeted in the Marja and Gereshk districts of Helmand province.

The servicemembers have not yet been identified.

These service men are more than likely Marines.  Helmand Province falls under Task Force Leatherneck control.

Replay. Warrior Song.

Always loved the video but wondered about the words...below are the lyrics....have a good Friday.

I am a Marine on the beach, I’m a killin’ machine, with a need to bleed you when the light goes green, best believe, I’m in a zone to be, from my Yin to my Yang Tze. Put a grin on my chin, come to me, cuz I’ll win, I’m one-of-a-kind and I’ll bring death to place you’re about to be: another river of blood runnin’ under my feet. Forged in fire lit long ago, stand next to me, you’ll never stand alone. I’m last to leave, but the first to go, Hard Corps is the only way I know. I feedon the fear of the devil inside of the enemy faces in my sights; aim with the hand, shoot with the mind, kill with a heart like arctic ice.

I am a Devil-Dog I’m marching on, I am a warrior and this is my song

I bask in the glow of the rising war, lay waste to the ground of an enemy shore, wade through the blood spilled on the floor, and if another one stands I’ll kill some more. Bullet in the breach and fire in me, like a cigarette thrown to gasoline, if death don’t bring you fear then death ain’t brought by no Marine. Come to the nightmare, come to me, deep down in the dark where the devil be, in the maw with the jaws and the razor teeth, where the brimstone burns and the angel weeps. Call to the dogs if Icross your path and my silhouette hangs like a body bag; hope is a moment now long past, the shadow of death is one I cast.

I am a Devil-Dog I’m marching on, I am a warrior and this is my song
Hell has no demon I won’t overcome, I am a warrior and this is my song

Now I live lean and I mean to inflict the grief, and the least of me’s still of your reach. The killing machine’s gonna do the deed, intil the river runs dry and my last breath leaves. Chin in the air with a head held high, I’ll stand in the path of the enemy line. Feel no fear, know my pride: for God and Country I’ll end your life.

I am a Devil-Dog I’m marching on, I am a warrior and this is my song
Hell has no demon I won’t overcome, I am a warrior and this is my song
I made the devil himself turn and run, I am a warrior and this is my song
Into the fire I will keep marchin’ on. Oorah. Marine Corps. Get Some…

Good night Chesty...wherever you are...