06/10/2013: MV-22B Ospreys assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct flight deck operations aboard the USS San Antonio (LPD 17), while sailing in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, June 5, 2013.
The 26th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility aboard the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group.
Credit: 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit:6/5/13
06/05/2013: Exercise Dawn Blitz 2013 II.
The Japanese and Australians among others understand that the future of their Armies is shaping more expeditionary capabilities and to operate as a maneuver force.
They will operate not as a “raiding force,” but a maneuver force from the sea and supported from the air.
The current Dawn Blitz exercise is clearly highlighting this trend as did the recently completed Bold Alligator 2013 exercise.
Credit:11th Marine Expeditionary Unit:5/31/13
Camp Pendleton Calif. — Memebers of the Japanese Self Defense Force offload personnel and behicles from the Japanese ship Huyga here May 31.
Dawn Blitz 2013 is a multinational amphibious exercise designated to test Navy and Marine Corps forces at the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) level, while promoting military-military cooperation and interoperability with partnered nations.
Participating countries include Canada, Japan, New Zealand and military observers from seven countries.
06/05/2013: Exercise Dawn Blitz 2013. The USN-USMC team are shaping a new approach to landpower for the 21st century.
The Japanese and Australians among others understand that the future of their Armies is shaping more expeditionary capabilities and to operate as a maneuver force.
They will operate not as a “raiding force,” but a maneuver force from the sea and supported from the air.
The current Dawn Blitz exercise is clearly highlighting this trend as did the recently completed Bold Alligator 2013 exercise.
Credit:11th Marine Expeditionary Unit:5/31/13
Camp Pendleton Calif. — U.S. Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Comand Element and personnel from the Japanese Self Defense Force stack ammunition here May 31.
Dawn Blitz 2013 is a multinational amphibious exercise designated to test Navy and Marine Corps forces at the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) level, while promoting military-military cooperation and interoperability with partnered nations.
Participating countries include Canada, Japan, New Zealand and military observers from seven countries. Available in high definition.
06/05/2013: Japanese Naval ships arriving at Naval Base San Diego for Dawn Blitz 2013 with Japanese Army soldiers on board to work on amphibious operations.
The USN-USMC team are shaping a new approach to landpower for the 21st century.
The Japanese and Australians among others understand that the future of their Armies is shaping more expeditionary capabilities and to operate as a maneuver force.
They will operate not as a “raiding force,” but a maneuver force from the sea and supported from the air.
The current Dawn Blitz exercise is clearly highlighting this trend as did the recently completed Bold Alligator 2013 exercise.
Credit:1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade:5/31/13
Dawn Blitz 2013 is a scenario-driven exercise designed to test Navy and Marine Corps forces at the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) level, while promoting military-to-military cooperation and interoperability with partnered nations.
Participating countries include Canada, Japan, New Zealand and military observers from seven countries. Also available in high definition
06/05/2013: Mina Salman Pier, Bahrain (March 11, 2013).
Navy diver 3rd Class David Hilborn, assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, Company 2-2, conducts an inspection dive on a vessel’s hull.
MDSU 2, Company 2-2, is assigned to Commander, Task Group 56.1, promoting mine countermeasure, explosive ordnance disposal, salvage diving, and force protection for the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
Credit:Fleet Combat Camera Pacific:3/11/13
06/03/2013: On May 22, 2013, a detachment from 5th Marine Regiment conducts weapons familiarization with weapons systems from the French 21st Marine Infantry Regiment (21E RIMA), 6th Light Armored Brigade (6E BLB) at Camp Le Cocq, Ferrous, France.
The Marines were participating in a bilateral training with 21E RIMA 6E BLB to further enhance the “partnership agreement” between the Marine Corps and the 6E BLB.
Credit:HQMC Combat Camera:5/22/13
Stray 59 Memorial Ceremony from SldInfo.com on Vimeo.
Credit:18th Wing Public Affairs:3/5/13
3/6/2013 – Kadena Air Base, Japan — No matter how painful it is to remember or how easy it is to forget, one special operations squadron makes it a priority each year to remember its heritage and to honor those before its members now who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
As an annual salute to their fallen comrades, a crew from the 1st Special Operations Squadron returned to the crash site of STRAY 59 Feb. 26 to drop a wreath in honor of the eight crew members and 15 passengers who were killed 32 years ago off the coast of the Philippines.
“It’s important to look toward your heritage,” said Capt. David Monico, 1st SOS navigator. “We look toward the future a lot in the Air Force, but it is also important to go backward and see the people who have come and to honor those who have given their lives for the cause.”
On Feb. 26, 1981, after completing 12 missions during a 16-day exercise hosted by the U.S. Navy SEALS, the crew of an MC-130E with the call sign STRAY 59 began its final mission to extract a joint multinational special forces team from Naval Air Station Cubi Point, Philippines.
With no indication of problems with the aircraft, the STRAY 59 crew made a call to the ground radio station to report normal operations six minutes into the flight. Minutes later, a local fisherman saw the 1st SOS Combat Talon I hit the water and explode. The crash left one survivor, the electronic warfare officer, who was thrown from the aircraft and rescued by a fisherman.
The aircraft sank 250 feet shortly after hitting the water, leaving little physical evidence for an investigation.
The crash that took 23 lives may have left the small Talon community with unanswered questions of how the accident happened, but there is no question concerning why STRAY 59 will forever hold an important place in 1st SOS history.
“It’s a dangerous business that we work in,” said Staff Sgt. Jerred Sevold, 1st SOS loadmaster. “To be a participant in a ceremony like this just reminds me of the danger of our job and what it is that we are ultimately here to do.”
The 1st SOS members lost Feb. 26, 1981, during the STRAY 59 crash were Maj. James Kirk, aircraft commander; Capt. Norman Martel, pilot; Capt. Thomas Patterson, navigator; Capt. Gregory Peppers, navigator; Tech. Sgt. Stephen Blyler, radio operator; Tech. Sgt. Barry Chumbley, loadmaster; Tech. Sgt. Gary Logan, loadmaster; and Staff Sgt. John Felton, flight engineer.
The 15 passengers lost were:
From the U.S. Air Force
Senior Airman David Bingaman, Senior Airman Glenn Bloomer, Senior Airman James Bach and Airman First Class Kyle Wells.
From the U.S. Army
Sgt. 1st Class Danny Janecki, Staff Sgt. Patrick Estel, Staff Sgt. Davis Hagen and Sgt. Bryan Broadwater.
From the Philippine Navy
Radioman Petty Officer 3rd Class Rodrigo Penol and Seaman Manuel Dumo.
From the Australian Army
Sgt. Ewen Miller, Sgt. Murray Tonkin and Signalman Gregory Fry.
From the New Zealand Army
Warrant Officer 2nd Class Dave Heywood and Sgt. Dennis Terry.
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123338874
For a factsheet on the MC-130E Combat Talon I see the following:
http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=115
The Coast Guard is working with International Offshore Services on a plan to refloat the boat.
Grounded oil rig platform supply vessel from SldInfo.com on Vimeo.
Credit:U.S. Coast Guard District 8 PADET Houston:3/4/13