Reconnaissance Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force on the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) jump from a CH-53E Super Stallion during helocast training in the Gulf of Aden, May 28, 2015. US Marine Corps
Business Insider: The US is considering sending heavily armed Marines to Asia to counter China
* The Pentagon is considering sending Marine Expeditionary Units to Asia to deter Chinese influence in the region.
* Marine Expeditionary Units are capable of fighting in the land, air, and sea because they sail around in amphibious assault ships that act as small aircraft carriers.
* The possible depoyments are also intended to assure allies in the region that the US has a strong presence in Asia, and is capable of protecting allies.
On the heels of President Donald Trump’s recently unveiled National Security Strategy, which called Russia and China “revisionist powers,” the Pentagon is thinking about sending additional Marine Expeditionary Units to Asia, military officials told the Wall Street Journal.
MEUs are Marine detachments that sail around on amphibious assault ships like the Wasp and America-class. Essentially small aircraft carriers that can carry troops, the ships are capable of waging war on land, air, and sea.
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WNU Editor: I suspect that this deployment will be one of many.
5 comments:
They'll make good targets.
If I was China I'd be worried about another drive by the usn. Like Tiawan. This time with the m.e.u's. Calling their bluff. For now...
Anonymous,
Unfortunately you are probably spot on. My first thought was "that's gonna work/" (Sarcasm off.) "China is really scared now." (Sarcasm off.)
China is the dominant power in this region now. If someone were going to challenge them and have a chance at being successful, it would have needed to be done about 10 to 15 years ago or longer AND this assumes there is any good reason to do so. If China's neighbors have territorial ambitions/claims, they NEED TO FIGHT FOR THEM and LEAVE US OUT OF IT!!
Our main interest is ensuring that "made in China" continues to be available and if China either can't or won't sell to us then we either find other suppliers or make our own supply of these goods. Who controls what in this region is not our concern nor do we have territorial claims there. "Stable and focused" people and countries don't allow them to get distracted on things that are from their concern and that to do so carries huge downside risks with no upside potential. Essentially challenging China's control of the South China Sea is likely a losing proposition at this point, even if we "win" nets us nothing of value (oh good Japan gets a new island!!), and carries huge downside risks combined with huge costs.
Snafu, the Marine Blogger has no shortage of "bitch posts" up on the Marine MEU concept, weapons and staffing.
Basically, he notes that compared to the MEU's of the 80's and 90's, a current and future ( as proposed) MEU would have a very hard time against 2011 ISIS, the Andruallah Movement, Hezboallah, etc.
Against the Russians or Chinese, who have loaded up their counter's to Marine MEU's with heavy armour, heavy weapons, AD/AC and robust air defences, on the offence, Marine MEU's as they currently stand, would be toast.
More likely the bait to start to the war. Testing china's willingness
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