USS Boxer Flight Ops

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12/27/2013

12/27/2013: USS Boxer is the flagship for the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

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Credit:USS Boxer (LHD 4):10/23/13

  • In the first photo, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Austin Moore directs an AV-8B Harrier II with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) before it takes off from the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4).
  • In the second photo, a sailor directs an MH-60S Seahawk for landing aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4).
  • In the third photo, Seaman Villard Vitalis, from Clifton, N.J., looks out of the ‚ “big eyes” during watch aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4).

 

The THAAD System to Guam

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12/23/2013

12/23/2013: The THAAD system has been deployed to Guam from Fort Bliss to deal with the evolving missile threat from North Korea, against US facilities in the region and beyond. 

In his presentation to the Air Force Association Pacific Forum, the PACAF Commander, General Hawk Carlisle, highlighted the contribution made by the US Army in moving a THAAD battalion to Guam in record time.  Instead of a 6 week deployment cycle, the battalion was moved an operational in two weeks time!

We had a chance to follow up on Carlisle’s introduction of the subject with an phone interview with Task Force Talon Commander, LTC Cochrane, the THADD battalion commander who is currently based on Guam. We will publish this interview early next year.

According to a briefing provided by then Army Pacific Commander. Lt. General Wiercinski in May 2013:

There is “no time limit” on the deployment of the THAAD missile battery system to Guam. 

The THAAD system arrived at Guam’s Andersen Air Force Base on Saturday April 13 from Ft. Bliss in Texas. It was deployed here in response to threats from North Korea to attack Guam.

During the briefing, Lt. Gen. Wiercinski told reporters that “for the first time, we deployed theater ballistic missile defense to Guam in protection of the homeland.”

He called the deployment to Guam of THAAD “a big change” and he said  “there is no time limit” on the Guam THAAD deployment “right now.”

http://pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=34338:army-pacific-commander-lt-gen-wiercinski-says-qno-time-limitq-on-guam-thaad-deployment&catid=45:guam-news&Itemid=156

 The THAAD battalion is a U.S. response to North Korea as part of the second nuclear age.

 The photos below provide a look at the system.

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Credit Photos: DOD or Lockheed Martin

  • The first photo provides a sense of Guam in relationship to North Korea.
  • The second and third photos show the TEL for the THAAD.
  • The fourth photo shows the launcher at rest at sunset.
  • Photos 5 through 7 show the THAAD being launched.
  • The eighth photo shows U.S. Army Pacific commander Gen. Vincent Brooks takes a photo with the A4 THAAD during his visit to the unit at Andersen AFB, Guam on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2013. The A4 THAAD deployed to Guam in April as a part of the 94th AAMDC Task Force Talon Mission.
  • The ninth photo shows U.S. Army Pacific commander Gen. Vincent Brooks speaking with soldiers of the A4 THAAD about numerous personnel and operational issues during his visit to the unit at Andersen AFB, Guam, on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2013.
  • The final photo provides a graphic with regard to how THAAD works.

 

 

USS Nimitz and USS Mount Whitney Operations in the Med

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12/23/2013: In this slideshow, the USS Nimitz and the USS Mount Whitney are seen operating in the Mediterranean.

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Credit: Defense Imagery Management Operations Center:10/24/13

  • In the first photo, the U.S. 6th Fleet command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), foreground, and the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) transit the Mediterranean Sea Oct. 24, 2013.The Nimitz deployed to conduct maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
  • In the second photo, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) transits the Mediterranean Sea Oct. 24, 2013.
  • In the third photo, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), front, and the U.S. 6th Fleet command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) transit the Mediterranean Sea Oct. 24, 2013.
  • In the final photo, the U.S. 6th Fleet command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), right, and the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) transit the Mediterranean Sea Oct. 24, 2013.

The Max Thunder US and South Korean Airpower Exercise

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12/21/2013

12/21/2013: This year is the 11th Max Thunder exercise, which fosters bilateral aerial training between the Korea Air Power Team to include the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and the Republic of Korea Air Force.

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 Credit:8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs:10/28/13

  •  In the first photo, an 80th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off during Max Thunder 13-2 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 28, 2013.
  •  In the second and third photos, a Republic of Korea F-15 Strike Eagle takes off during Max Thunder 13-2 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 28, 2013.

Coast Guard at-Sea Drug Transfer

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12/20/2013

12/20/2013: A Coast Guard Station Miami small boat crew makes their way to the Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant prior to a drug transfer in Miami, Oct. 11, 2013.

The Vigilant transferred approximately 2,155 pounds of marijuana and 420 kilograms of cocaine stemming from two different interdictions near San Andres, Colombia.

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Credit:U.S. Coast Guard District 7:10/11/13

  • In the second photo, Coast Guard Station Miami members offload bales of cocaine and marijuana at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, Oct. 11, 2013.

The total offloaded was 15 bales of cocaine and 50 bales of marijuana with an estimated wholesale value of $16 million.

  • In photo 3, Crewmembers aboard a Coast Guard Station Miami smallboat receive an at-sea contraband transfer from the crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant, Oct. 11, 2013.

The drugs are the results of two interdictions carried out as part of Operation Martillo.

  • In the final photo, the crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant uses a crane to transfer contraband to a Coast Guard Station Miami smallboat crew, Oct. 11, 2013.

 

The 36th Contingency Response Group in the Philippine Relief Effort

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12/12/2013

12/12/2013:The Marines and the USAF worked together with support from the USN to establish an infrastructure to enable relief operations.

It was an insert, support and withdraw effort in which the 36th Contingency Response Group (CRG) and the USMC played a key role in rapid insertion, and responsible withdrawal.

As Col. James, from PACAF, explained about the role of the CRG:

They deployed to Tacloban and worked to open up the airport to become capable of flowing in support capabilities.  They had to set up air traffic control support; they had to work to extend the runway ….

They worked with the Filipinos to make sure the kind of safety equipment we needed to maintain sortie rates was available to ensure safety security. They also focused on getting in the machinery which can facilitate offloading of supplies.

https://www.sldinfo.com/shaping-an-infrastructure-for-support-the-usaf-flies-to-the-challenge-in-the-philippines/

These photos show some of the activities of the CRG in the operation.

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  • In the first two photos, Airmen assists evacuees as they board a U.S. Air Force C-130H at Tacloban Airport, Republic of the Philippines, during Operation Damayan Nov. 18, 2013.
  • In the third photo, Airmen move cargo in support of Operation Damayan at Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, Nov. 19, 2013.
  • In the fourth photo, evacuees board a C-130 in support of Operation Damayan at Tacloban Airport, Republic of the Philippines, Nov. 23, 2013.
  • In the final photo, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joe Klimaski, 36th Contingency Response Force, offloads relief supplies from a Philippine Air Force C-130 with Philippine airmen in support of Operation Damayan at Tacloban Airport, Republic of the Philippines, Nov. 23, 2013.

 

Eglin F-35s In All Three Variants Fly Joint Training Sorties

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12/12/2013: A Marine F-35B Lightning II breaks left out of a formation flight with United Kingdom F-35B aircraft over Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Dec. 4.

The joint-program reached a new single-day record for F-35 sorties Dec. 4 with 45 training missions between all three models of the aircraft.

The Marine B-model completed 32 of the flights, the Air Force A-model had 10 flights and the Navy C-model flew three missions.

The photos show the USMC and UK F-35Bs flying in joint training.

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 (Courtesy photo/Andy Poulastides)

 http://www.eglin.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123373113

SP-MAGTF Trains with Senegal’s Companie de Fusilier Marine Commandos

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12/06/2013

12/06/2013: Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13 watch as Senegalese Companie de Fusilier Marine Commandos fire their weapons during a maritime assistance force engagement in Thiès, Senegal, Nov. 26, 2013.

During the first week of the task force’s fourth month-long engagement in Senegal this year, the Marines focused on basic and combat marksmanship skills.

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 Credit: Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa:11/26/13

  • In the second photo, a Senegalese Companie de Fusilier Marine Commando bounds toward a simulated enemy during a movement under fire range set up by Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13 in Thiès, Senegal, Nov. 27, 2013
  • In the third photo, Sgt. James Thonus, an assistant team chief with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13, checks the bolt and bore of a Senegalese Companie de Fusilier Marine Commando’s M16 prior to firing in Thiès, Senegal, Nov. 25, 2013.
  • In the final photo, Cpl. Codey Bauchspies, a rifleman with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13, observes as a Senegalese Companie de Fusilier Marine Commando practices the prone position while on the range in Thiès, Senegal, Nov. 25, 2013.

For our analytical pieces on SP-MAGTF see the following:

https://www.sldinfo.com/rapid-power-projection-forces-the-french-foreign-legion-and-the-usmc-exercise-in-france/

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

https://www.sldinfo.com/the-osprey-and-innovation-breaking-the-mold/