In 1992 I was an LDO, Maj, 0430, EmbO, at III MEF, Embark.
Late in the afternoon we were given a tasker to deploy a SP MAGTF on one of the ARG-B ships, USS Dubuque LPD-8 ahead of west coast MEU to Somalia.
The Dubuque was due into White Beach first light the next day for a routine training mission.
We called it a Readiness Exercise and prepped and LPD size force (about 800) to embark in the morning with a GSE, ACE (helos), & CSSE with Unit Equipment, supplies/ammo, up-to-date shots & all.
The SP MAGTF was ready at White Beach at first light.
As the Dubuque arrived, we got the stand down from CINCPac.
Troop still thought it was just an exercise.
Always ready to task organize and mount out.
Side Note:
I remember at 2000 brief when we were briefing the CG an LDO, Intel Maj, brief that the Mogadishu threat was untrained irregulars (kids) with no more then a 20mm on light pick-up, sporadic electrical power, bad water, no paved roads outside the city.
All the bravery and valor in the world means nothing if you can't get to the fight or support the troops once they're there. I can't believe the Navy and Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump don't understand that. We don't have enough ships - what are they going to do about it other than BS and watch young men and women die from lack of support. This is ridiculous.
"After the SPMAGTF secured the port and airfield in Mogadishu, the MV Lummus began offloading equipment and supplies that allowed follow-on forces to arrive and be sustained. The 1800 Marines of the SPMAGTF quickly were absorbed into a CJTF and the thousands of Marines who became Marine Forces Somalia. Bottom line -- the MPS augmentation and the Air Contingency unit deployment made the mission of the Marines a success." - this is the example for why the response to the NDAA 2018 by the USMC should have been to double down as THE premier inherently Joint Force to include focusing / branding as the entry force and seed for follow on Joint Forces. Moreso....mad respect to the Rangers and CAG who ran the Mogadishu Mile....but Marine Armor ensured no Marines in Somalia ever had to run a similar event uncovered. When I checked into 2d Tanks, we were still being issued chinguards for our cvc's because of the Marine Tanker who took the brick to the jaw.
Funny thing, an old friend from my Recon days was in the news video(cameras and lights on the beach) of the Marine Recon coming into shore ahead of the 1st Wave. I remember watching from stateside and being pissed. What a shtshow.....but they made it happen.
I was with 1st Force Recon Company back then. Those guys that the camera men were chasing were all buddies of mine. They said it was a zoo with all the new people. All of them asking if they were SEALs! The team leader just wanted to show them his "US MARINE" name tape but refused to acknowledge them!
Sadly, We don’t have a General Mundy at the helm today.
In 1992 I was an LDO, Maj, 0430, EmbO, at III MEF, Embark.
Late in the afternoon we were given a tasker to deploy a SP MAGTF on one of the ARG-B ships, USS Dubuque LPD-8 ahead of west coast MEU to Somalia.
The Dubuque was due into White Beach first light the next day for a routine training mission.
We called it a Readiness Exercise and prepped and LPD size force (about 800) to embark in the morning with a GSE, ACE (helos), & CSSE with Unit Equipment, supplies/ammo, up-to-date shots & all.
The SP MAGTF was ready at White Beach at first light.
As the Dubuque arrived, we got the stand down from CINCPac.
Troop still thought it was just an exercise.
Always ready to task organize and mount out.
Side Note:
I remember at 2000 brief when we were briefing the CG an LDO, Intel Maj, brief that the Mogadishu threat was untrained irregulars (kids) with no more then a 20mm on light pick-up, sporadic electrical power, bad water, no paved roads outside the city.
Mogadishu was a “Shit Hole.”
The CG said tell me something I don’t know.
Great job by 15th MEU.
Semper Fi
SteveB
Marine
All the bravery and valor in the world means nothing if you can't get to the fight or support the troops once they're there. I can't believe the Navy and Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump don't understand that. We don't have enough ships - what are they going to do about it other than BS and watch young men and women die from lack of support. This is ridiculous.
"After the SPMAGTF secured the port and airfield in Mogadishu, the MV Lummus began offloading equipment and supplies that allowed follow-on forces to arrive and be sustained. The 1800 Marines of the SPMAGTF quickly were absorbed into a CJTF and the thousands of Marines who became Marine Forces Somalia. Bottom line -- the MPS augmentation and the Air Contingency unit deployment made the mission of the Marines a success." - this is the example for why the response to the NDAA 2018 by the USMC should have been to double down as THE premier inherently Joint Force to include focusing / branding as the entry force and seed for follow on Joint Forces. Moreso....mad respect to the Rangers and CAG who ran the Mogadishu Mile....but Marine Armor ensured no Marines in Somalia ever had to run a similar event uncovered. When I checked into 2d Tanks, we were still being issued chinguards for our cvc's because of the Marine Tanker who took the brick to the jaw.
Funny thing, an old friend from my Recon days was in the news video(cameras and lights on the beach) of the Marine Recon coming into shore ahead of the 1st Wave. I remember watching from stateside and being pissed. What a shtshow.....but they made it happen.
I was with 1st Force Recon Company back then. Those guys that the camera men were chasing were all buddies of mine. They said it was a zoo with all the new people. All of them asking if they were SEALs! The team leader just wanted to show them his "US MARINE" name tape but refused to acknowledge them!
Oooh-rahh Sir, well said Marine, Semper Fi!!!