Getting the Initial Job Done: Time is the Most Precious Commodity

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
11/19/2013

11/19/2013: When doing disaster relief, professionals will tell you that time is your most precious commodity.

The Osprey-KC-130J pairing bought time for the current HA/DR mission. 

By having the pairing, the USMC team was able to move in rapidly and prepare for the insertion of additional forces and aide teams.

How much is 3-5 days of additional time worth in putting in motion a relief effort?

 Major A. “Papi” Guzman took the following pictures.

[slidepress gallery=’getting-the-initial-job-done’]

According to Lt. Col. Brown, the CO of VMM-262, the “Flying Tigers, Guzman is his assistant operations officer and the two them flew lead and wing together interchangeably for the 1st three days.

According to Major Guzman: These pictures are from Homonhong Island. 

After we landed, I spoke with the Mayor and he handed me a note to pass on to the PAF in Tacloban. I told him there was a choke point of aircraft/supplies there and I only had two crew chiefs. 

He offered to help, so I loaded the aircraft with 6 of his strongest along with a mother and infant that were stranded.

We proceeded directly to Tacloban 60 miles away, we then dropped off the family to Tacloban and returned with needed tarps, blankets and rice. 

We did the 120 mile round trip plus the loading assistance and this took me less than an hour although done in a congested airfield apron.There is no way any other aircraft could have done that.

 

Preparing Aid for Delivery in Operation Damayan

Posted on | by Caroline Teames

11/19/2013: U.S. Marines with the Transportation Services, Combat Logistics Battalion 4, 3D Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Philippine service members and volunteers with the Department of Social Welfare and Development prepare for the arrival of survivors on Villamor Airbase, the Republic of the Philippines, Nov. 17, 2013.

 The Philippine service members, U.S. Marines and volunteers had food, water, supplies, medical care and social workers ready to treat the victims and survivors in support of the disaster relief Operation Damayan.

 Credit: III MEF:11/16/13

26th MEU AV-8B Harrier Landing

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
11/18/2013

11/18//2013: In our discussion in the ready room of VMFAT501with Lt. Col. Steve Gillette and Major Michael Rountree, Major Rountree discussed how the Harrier has been used the flexibility which the jet brings to MAGTF operations.

SLD: The V of STOVL is really the important point.

 The flexibility of the aircraft to operate with a short field take off and as necessary return with a vertical landing can make much better combat use of runways and landing zones. This is an important contributor by the Harrier, which is not widely realized outside USMC and UK.

 Could you describe your experience with the jet from this point of view?

 Major Rountree:  You are right.

 The plane needs to be supported so you could land it in the middle of an austere location, but you still need to support it.

 The reality is that we have operated from relatively static facilities because of the need for support.

 But the vertical liftoff capabilities mean that I can use much more of an airfield than a classic airplane. 

 http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/from-harrier-experience-to-the-f-35b-shaping-the-way-ahead/

In this video the Harrier is seen operating off of a LHD. An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) lands on the flight deck of the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) at sea, Sept. 24, 2013.

Credit:26th Marine Expeditionary Unit:9/24/13

 

 

 

The Initial Response to the Philippine Relief Mission: An Osprey Squadron in Action

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
11/17/2013

11/17/2013: As the 1st Marine Wing prepared to celebrate the USMC birthday at a ball, and to prepare for a long weekend around Veteran’s Day, this reverie was smashed by the reality of a Typhoon.

Nature had another idea and another approach to Veteran’s Day.

It was time for the Veteran’s in the making to go to work, and not to celebrate the past.

It was a case of Marines making history; not celebrating it.

A massive Typhoon was heading towards the Philippines and the Marines needed to prepare to assist, notably as the forward deployed force with rapid support capability.

For Lt. Col. Brown, the CO of VMM-262, the “Flying Tigers, this meant as well telling his wife Darcy, that they would have to put a hold on their anniversary celebration as well.

And this meant organizing the C-130s and Ospreys to coordinate for the coming eventuality.

According to Brown, 1st MAW organized a template for the initial engagement, but the first few days on the ground were chaos, which has only now become clarified in terms of how the joint and coalition force will shape its supporting mission.

In these photos taken by the “Flying Tigers” Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. “Sniper” Brown over the past few days, one gains a perspective on the mission

[slidepress gallery=’an-osprey-squadron-in-action’]

The first three photos show the Ospreys after having landed on a school field in the midst of significant devastation.

When the digital support for the mission was down, the Ospreys used aerial reconnaissance (their own) to determine where to take relief aid.

Initially, the team thought this was a soccer field but determined upon landing that it was a schoolyard.

Upon delivering aid, the Filipinos worked with the Marines and the local police who were present to deliver aide in an orderly fashion. According to Brown: “The school children were very happy to see us and the parents and children responded with enthusiasm to our arrival.”

The fourth photo shows the C-130 working closely with the Ospreys to support the mission. Indeed, because the C-130J squadron commander lives next door to Brown in Okinawa, they started planning the joint mission several days prior to its execution.

The fifth photo shows the presence of the large deck carrier with an Osprey coming in for refueling.

According to Brown, “A hub and spoke system is emerging in which the Navy helos are being supported by Marine FARPS (Forward Area Refueling Point) with the Ospreys using either the C-130s or the large deck carrier for refueling.”

In its role the USS Washington is a seasbase operating a few miles offshore and is integrated into the overall operations, rather than being considered as something apart from the overall role of airpower supporting the HA/DR mission set.

Concepts of operations can change as new technologies are added to the fleet.

The Marines have operated as the forward deployed force for the operation, and reminds one of the importance of forward presence.

Having integrated capability for the point of the spear is crucial and the Osprey clearly functions as the tip of the tip of the spear for rapid insertion.

As one senior Marine put it:

1st MAW had Ospreys and Hercs in Tacloban about 72 hrs after the storm passed. And I am not talking just about people on the ground but real, self-sustaining capability to move the mountains of relief supplies to where it was needed and where nothing else could get the job done so effectively.

There is no question it is a just a small effort against an immense catastrophe but the combination of rapid deployment and true capability is a crucial part of getting the response in play.

And it has been clear that the Marines see themselves as part of the overall joint and coalition force and working as a supporting command to the Philippine’s Armed Forces overall.

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spearheaded the relief efforts in Tacloban and surrounding areas by having disaster teams on-hand even before the super typhoon hit.

Multi-national forces soon fell into supporting roles to the AFP, and one week later groups and military representatives from across the globe are aiding in relief efforts.

The slideshow below highlights the role of working to support the country’s armed forces in a massive relief effort.

Lt. Col. Brown highlighted the importance as well of the night operations of the USAF C-130s able to deliver supplies at night so that the effort could be run on a 24 hour basis.

Indeed, the final picture in the slideshow below was shot by a Marine of the first C-17 involved in the relief mission and is one of the most powerful C-17 photos ever shot.

[slidepress gallery=’multi-national-relief-aid-in-tacloban-during-operation-damayan’]

 Credit:31st Marine Expeditionary Unit:11/15/13

  • In the first photo, a photographer with the Philippine Air Force hands out packs of biscuits to displaced Filipinos while they wait to be manifested for air transport to Manila at the Tacloban Air Field here, Nov. 15.
  • In the second photo, soldiers with the Philippine Army assist in moving an elderly Filipino local to an awaiting aircraft for transport to Manila at the Tacloban Air Field here, Nov. 15
  • In the third photo, a medical provider with the Philippine Army injects medicine into a local Filipino inside the makeshift hospital at the Tacloban Air Field here, Nov. 15.
  • In the fourth photo, a soldier with the Philippine Army leads a family to an aircraft for transport to Manila at the Tacloban Air Field here, Nov. 15.
  • In the fifth photo, a special forces soldier with the Philippine Army carries a young Filipino girl and leading others aboard a U.S. Marine Corps C-130 Hercules aircraft for transport to Manila at the Tacloban Air Field here, Nov. 15
  • In the sixth photo, a Philippine Army rescue soldier holds a Filipino child while waiting to load on an aircraft for transport to Manila at the Tacloban Air Field here, Nov. 15.
  • In the final photo, the first use of the C-17 is highlighted. Displaced Filipinos and other international personnel offload from a C-17 Globemaster III with the 535th Air Lift Squadron out of Hickam Field, Honolulu, HI, after leaving Tacloban Air Field, Nov. 15.

The video above is credited to III MEF and shows the USMC moving supplies and displaced persons while operating at Tacloban Air Base during Operation Damayam.

Also see the following:

https://sldinfo.com/flying-tigers-engage-in-support-of-the-philippine-rescue-effort/

https://sldinfo.com/the-history-of-the-flying-tigers/

 

 

Lt. Gen. Wissler Visits Tacloban Air Base After Typhoon Haiyan

Posted on | by Caroline Teames

11/17/2013: Lt. Gen. John Wissler commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force visits Tacloban Air Base after Typhoon Haiyan and is briefed on developments.

III MEF is the key initial US force dealing with the relief effort and has functioned as the tip of the spear for the joint force.


Credit:American Forces Network Okinawa:11/16/13

The Osprey Globally Engaged: This Time Landing on a Japanese Ship in the APR

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
11/13/2013

11/13/2013:Earlier this year (June 14th), an Osprey landed onboard the JS Hyuga (DDG-181) during Dawn Blitz off of the coast of Naval Base Coronado.

[slidepress gallery=’osprey-lands-on-japanese-ship-operating-in-the-pacific’]

 Credit:III MEF:11/12/13

https://sldinfo.com/osprey-lands-on-japanese-ship-for-the-first-time/

https://sldinfo.com/osprey-mates-with-japanese-ship/

Now this has been done from Okinawa to a Japanese ship deployed in the Pacific.

Lt. Gen. John Wissler and Japanese dignitaries embark on an MV-22B Osprey Nov. 12 aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship Ise to return to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.

This marks the first time that an Osprey landed on a JMSDF ship in the Asia-Pacific region.

We have highlighted recent global activity of the Osprey which is yet another statement about the maturation of the Osprey.

First, there was the story about the Osprey pilots awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

http://breakingdefense.com/2013/07/maturing-of-the-osprey-first-v-22-pilots-awarded-dfcs/

Second, there was the story about the formation of the Special Purpose MAGTFs, a group of 6 Ospreys and 3 C-130s able to deploy rapidly to a mission, rapidly and at distance.

https://sldinfo.com/the-maturing-of-the-osprey-and-the-enablement-of-special-purpose-magtfs/

And their recent exercise with the French Foreign Legion at their French base.

https://sldinfo.com/sp-magtf-crisis-response-marines-conduct-live-fire-with-french-legionnaires/

Third, there is the exercise of TRAP mission from North Carolina to Colorado. 

https://sldinfo.com/another-step-in-the-maturation-of-the-osprey-long-range-and-high-altitude-ops/

Now the Ospreys are engaged in Search and Rescue and in general support of the Philippine relief mission.

The Osprey is a key enabler for the USMC evolution into a force able to move faster, with greater range with significantly greater reach.

And to do so while performing a variety of wide-ranging missions.

Wissler is the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force.The Osprey is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, currently assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

  • In the second photo, an MV-22B Osprey lands aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship Ise Nov. 12 after taking off from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa only an hour prior.
  • In the third photo, service members with the Japan Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marines walk across the flight deck of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship Ise Nov. 12 after debarking from an MV-22B Osprey. T
  • In the fourth photo, an MV-22B Osprey prepares to take off Nov. 12 from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. After takeoff, the Osprey landed on the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship Ise at sea, off of the coast of Okinawa, marking the first time an Osprey landed on a JMSDF ship in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • In the final photo, Lt. Gen. John Wissler, left, and Gen. Shigeru Iwasaki, watch an MV-22B Osprey maneuver for a landing Nov. 12 aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship Ise.

In addition, the video below provides a good complement to the slideshow in showing the Japanese and Americans working together to operate the Osprey off of the Japanese ship.

https://sldinfo.com/mv-22b-osprey-lands-on-jmsdf-ship/