A San Clemente Long Range Raid Exercise: Marines Test New Approaches and Technologies

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
04/21/2014

04/21/2014: The Marines are engaged in a series of exercises to re-shape the capability of the ground combat element to operate with much greater situational awareness prior to disembarking from the Ospreys for a mission.  This is also required because of the amount of time the GCE might have on the Osprey prior to disembarking compared with the much more limited time scale for a rotorcraft insertion.

Operating from the training base in Twentynine Palms and landing on San Clemente Island off of California, approximately 100 students from the Infantry Officer Course in Quantico flew aboard Ospreys the simulated test area to eliminate cruise missile threats and take back an airfield from enemy forces.

The exercise was conducted by the Infantry Officer Course paired with VMX-22 and the Ospreys were accompanied by a specially configured Osprey with an airborne communication gateway with a Wi-Fi network that linked the tables carried by the squads riding in the Ospreys.

The Cat Bird, the F-35 surrogate sensor aircraft, which operated its sensor sent real time information about the objective area to the Marines in route to the objective area. The information shared was maps and images as well as text messaging among the ground force element aboard the Ospreys. 

The F-35s went in and provided the capability to eliminate the ground missile threats and allowed a distributed company to be inserted to do their job.  In other words, the Osprey carried the force; the F-35 surrogate providing the cover which could insert the force more effectively.  Such an approach has NOTHING to do with the classic thinking of how a rotorcraft force would approach the challenge of ground force insertion into air enabled contested areas.

 [slidepress gallery=’san-clemente’]

Credit: Marine Corps Air Station Miramar / 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing:03/24/2014

  • In the first photo, Marines conduct patrols through the night during the Infantry Officer’s Course aboard San Clemente Island, Calif., Mar. 24. The Marines patrolled a total of 23 km before taking the final objective during the course.
  • In the second photo, Marines employ the Wasp Micro Air Vehicle to scout ahead to inform the Marines of potential threats during the Infantry Officer’s Course aboard San Clemente Island, Calif., Mar. 24.
  • In the third photo, 2nd Lt. Kyle Olson, an Infantry Officer’s Course student, utilizes a tablet to communicate with his Marines in real time during the Infantry Officer’s Course aboard San Clemente Island, Calif., Mar. 24. Olson patrolled with his Marines 23km before taking the final objective.

 

 

 

 

 

Osprey Aerial Refueling Training

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
04/15/2014

04/15/2014:A KC-130J Hercules property of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, refuels an MV-22 Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 264 and 266 off the coast of N.C., April 14, 2014.

VMGR-252 conducted aerial refueling training with VMM-264 and 266.


 Credit:2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Combat Camera :4/14/14

In an earlier interview with the CO of the Sumos discussed the challenge of refueling different assets from the KC-130J:

SLD: What are the differences in refueling jets, helos and tiltrotor aircraft for the KC-130Js?

Lt. Col. Julian: Each operates at a different altitude and flight speed.

For example, the CH-53s are refueled typically at a flight speed of 105 and 115 knots and at altitudes ranging from 1000-5000 feet.  The Ospreys are refueled at between 200 and 210 knots and at altitudes ranging from 5000 to 18,000 feet. And jets operate much higher at 25,000 feet and between 220 and 250 knots and it is easier to do so over the water because we can often fly over the weather with them.

And when weather gets bad, icing is a problem. The Osprey squadrons out here have worked hard on dealing with icing issues and have developed proficiencies in reducing the impact of icing problems.

The pairing between the KC-130Js and the Ospreys has brought an ability to shape organic modularity for long-range insertion of force in the region.  We want to be able to provide for long-range vertical insertion throughout the region and to be able to deploy widely throughout the region as necessary.  It is part of the operational dynamic and part of deterrence as well.

I would add that since the arrival of the Ospreys, about 2/3rds of our tanking requirement is to support the long-range assault support capability, which the Osprey provides.

 

 

KC-130J Refuels Osprey

Posted on | by Caroline Teames

04/15/2014: A KC-130J Hercules property of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, refuels an MV-22 Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltroter Squadron (VMM) 264 and 266, off the coast of N.C., April 14, 2014.

VMGR-252 conducted aerial refueling training with VMM-264 and 266 .

 Credit:2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Combat Camera :4/14/14

 

SSang Yong 2014 Live Fire Training

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
04/12/2014

04/12/2014: Marines from 2nd Battalion 5th Marines train in a combat live fire exercise.

The Marines use live fire and a variety of weapons to move and take out a simulated enemey objective.

This training was done in the Republic of Korea as part of SSang Yong 2014.


 Credit:American Forces Network Okinawa:4/4/14

Black Sea Rotational Force Marines Come to Latvia

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
04/10/2014

04/09/2014:Marines with Weapon’s Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force ride in Latvian Bandvagn 206 tracked vehicles during Summer Shield, 7 April 2014, aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia.

The tracked vehicles allow the Latvian military to mobilize their 82mm mortar systems.


 Credit: Black Sea Rotational  Force:4/7/14

The Black Sea Rotational Force is a yearly program where United States Marine Corps units based in the continental United States perform rotational deployments to U.S. military bases on the Black Sea region. Black Sea Rotational Force participates in security cooperation to build military capacity, provide regional stability, and develop lasting partnerships with nations in the region. It is an outgrowth of the previous Joint Task Force East, which was planned to be a rotational brigade-sized Army force.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Sea_Rotational_Force

And a recent news item from DOD discusses the force as well in the context of the current Crimean crisis:

U.S. Sends More Marines to Romania, Navy Vessel to Black Sea

By Nick Simeone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 2, 2014 – The Defense Department is deploying additional Marines to enlarge a rotational crisis response force based in Spain, and is also dispatching a naval vessel to the Black Sea to conduct exercises with U.S. allies in the region, a Pentagon spokesman said today.

Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters that 175 Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C., will augment the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response force based at Moron Air Base, Spain.

“We’re increasing the number from 500 to 675,” Warren said, adding that the move had been planned since late last year.

The expeditionary force falls under U.S. Africa Command but can be deployed anywhere. It enables the United States to conduct a range of military operations including non-combatant evacuations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as well as support for U.S. embassies.

While the additional Marines will be part of the Spain-based force, Warren said they are being stationed in Romania to allow greater flexibility. They will join nearly 300 Marines already in the country who are part of the Black Sea rotational force.

Warren emphasized the decision to send the additional Marines to Romania is not related to developments in Ukraine. However, he also announced that a U.S. Navy vessel is heading to the Black Sea for exercises to reassure American allies of the U.S. commitment to the region. That move, he said, is a direct result of the current situation in Ukraine. Warren did not rule out a role for the vessel in exercises with the Ukrainian military.

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=121959

 

 

Australian Army Vertical Assault Exercise Ssang Yong 14

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
04/09/2014

04/09/2014: Australian Army soldiers with Bravo Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment execute a vertical assault in support of Exercise Ssang Yong 14 at Old Army Tank Battalion, Pohang, Republic of Korea, April 4.

 Credit:III Marine Expeditionary Force Combat Camera:4/4/14

For a look at cross-cutting USMC and Aussie modernization see the following:

http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/the-distributed-laydown-in-the-pacific-and-deterrence-in-depth-lt-general-robling-discusses-the-evolution-of-the-usn-usmc-team-in-the-pacific/

 

 

 

 

 

The Marines Visit Crocodile Dundee

Posted on | by Caroline Teames

04/09/2014: Marines with MRF-D received an orientation brief about wildlife and potential hazards in Australia April 4.  

Robertson Barracks, Northern Territory, Australia was the location of getting the chance to be introduced to local crocodiles and snakes as part of a hands-on learning portion of the brief.

 Credit:Marine Rotational Force Darwin:4/4/14

Amphibious Landing Ssang Yong 14

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
04/05/2014

04/05/2014: U.S Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, assigned to the Battalion Landing Team, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct an amphibious landing utilizing Assault Amphibious Vehicles in support of Exercise Ssang Yong 14 at Beach Landing Site Red, Pohang, the Republic of Korea, and March 29, 2014.

 Exercise Ssang Yong 14 is conducted in the Republic of Korea to showcase a full spectrum of amphibious operations while showcasing sea-based power projection in the pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps Motion Imagery by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Hug)

 Credit:III Marine Expeditionary Force Combat Camera:3/29/14