CM:SF Marines.

[Peter Cairns]

There has been a fair bit of discussion about a US Marines follow up to CM:SF.

One way to do the TOE would be to base it around a ship, like a TARAWA class ( or a smaller Harpers Ferry). You would have available an amount of accomadation, lane space, landing craft and aircraft/helicopters, up to about 1,000 men for a campaign.

It would then work on two levels,

Firstly you would decide on the mix of aircraft, more helicopters would let you transport more, but you'd have fewer AV-8B's to commit for dedicated support.

You could do the same with landing craft etc to a certain extent, and then it would be down to choosing the types and numbers of troops and vehicles etc.

This would form your campaign pool.

For each scenario you would choose appropriate forces, but the amount you could use would be restricted by the transportation available, so that although you had upwards of 1,000 available, in parctice with say a dozen Sea Knights, you could only deploy about 150 men at a time.

Depending on how far out you were it would effect your reinforcement times and you would lose equipement and men that might not be replaced.

Of course as a lone ship is part of a bigger operation it is a bit stylised if not unrealistic, but I just wondered if people liked the idea.

Peter.

[PSY]

Peter that sounds like a great idea. I'd totally be up for it.

[MikeyD]

I used to know this, what's the Marine Corps term for a group based around one of their mini carriers, a Marine Expeditionery Group, or something like that? The full name may be a bit longer, and for all I know the unit structure may be out-of-date. My recollections are all pe-Iraq. Wouldn't it be cool if BFC could build us a couple of those big hover landing craft the Marines use to get ashore?! The engine should be able to handle it!

In late 2001 1 and a half of these self-contained expeditionery groups landed in Pakistan and leap-frogged 400 miles into Kandahar province Afghanistan, taking their LAVs with them (but not their Abrams's) and setting up Base Camp Rhino. They were the one to drive into Kandahar city itself. I think after a few months they were pulled back onto their ships. It was said to be the deepest-inland amphibious operation in history.

[Popfreak]

I believe a MEU is made up of three ships, not including escorts.

Semper Fi!

Pop

[Peter Cairns]

MikeyD,

I am not sure if you would get a lot of landing craft options, but it would certainly make a module worth buying, as it would add a huge number of future game options. I've always advocated the follow up too CM:SF should be Marines landing on the Syrian coast, with the US, UK and France.

As to helicopters, I think BF would probably let you deploy in helicopter sized loads based on type, but as they don't seem to keen on air assault as such, you would probably start on the ground, as you would with Paras in CMBO.

Peter.

[MikeyD]

Hey, with amphibious landing craft you could have the Marines land on the shores of Tripoli! (admittedly, not 'the' Tripoli but the other tourist town north of Beirut.

As to amphibious landings, I believe Moon said something vaguely along the line of "The new engine should be able to handle amphibious operations... except we haven't actually programmed it to do it yet! How hard can it be - a landing craft wouldn't be much different from a truck coding-wise."

The above fake quote is entirely from fuzzy memory so don't trust it completely

[ May 31, 2006, 12:14 PM: Message edited by: MikeyD ]

[Peter Cairns]

MikeyD,

And what exactly makes you think we trust you on anything.....

Peter.

[Imperial Grunt]

Here is some generic info about Marine Expeditionary Units.

Marine Expeditionary Unit

The Marine Corps operational doctrine emphasizes the air-ground team integrated at relatively low command levels. The Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU -- pronounced M-YOO) is the smallest type of MAGTF. The Marine Expeditionary Unit was formerly referred to as Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU). The change in name reflects capabilities beyond amphibious operations. With a strength of about 2,200 personnel, the MEU is normally built around a reinforced infantry battalion, a composite aircraft squadron, and a MEU service support group. It is commanded by a colonel and is routinely deployed with an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) to form a forward deployed, sea-based, naval expeditionary force. A deployed MEU is vital element of the National Military Strategy requirement to maintain a capable forward presence. It is capable of conducting amphibious operations of limited duration, acting as an advance force for a larger follow-on MAGTF and providing an immediate response capability to a wide spectrum of crises/contingencies by conducting maritime-oriented missions. A MEU is capable of rapid deployment and employment via amphibious shipping, strategic airlift, marrying with MPF assets or any combination thereof. Capabilities of the MEU in intelligence, command and control, communications, and combat power are enhanced by significant augmentation of FMF assets.

The MEU is unique in that its air and ground combat elements are combined with combat service support under one commander. The air/ground task force concept is designed to thoroughly exploit the combat power inherent in air and ground assets by closely integrating them into a single force. The MEU brings all the supplies it needs to sustain itself for quick mission accomplishment or to pave the way for any follow-on forces. The MEU is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment.

A primary goal for all forward deploying MEU's is to be trained, evaluated, and certified to conduct selected maritime special operations. Following the certification, the MEU will be designated as Special Operations Capable (SOC). To receive the certification, the MEU undergoes an intensive 26-week, standardized predeployment training program that includes an exercise and a final evaluation. The MEU must demonstrate competence across the entire spectrum of required capabilities, be able to plan and execute any assigned mission within six hours of notification, and conduct multiple missions simultaneously. These MEUs are augmented with selected personnel and equipment to provide enhanced conventional and selected maritime special operations capabilities.

The designation "Special Operations Capable" is never granted until a unit successfully completed a special training syllabus, had been rigorously tested, and was certified to perform 18 special missions: amphibious raids, limited objective attacks, non-combatant evacuations, show of force, reinforcement operations, security operations, training foreign military, civil action, deception operations, fire support coordination, counter-intelligence, initial terminal guidance, signal intelligence-electronic warfare, tactical recovery of personnel and aircraft (TRAP), clandestine reconnaissance, military Operations in urban terrain (MOUT), special demolitions operations, and in-extremis hostage rescues.

Marine Corps Forces Atlantic and Pacific maintain forward-deployed MEUs (SOC) in the Mediterranean Sea, the western Pacific, and the Indian Ocean or Arabian Gulf region. The MEU (SOC) can be thought of both as a self-contained operating force capable of missions of limited scope and duration and as a forward-deployed extension of the Marine expeditionary force. The forward-deployed MEU(SOC) is uniquely organized, trained and equipped to provide the naval or joint force commander with an expeditionary force that is inherently balanced, sustainable, flexible, responsive, expandable, and credible.

Normally embarked aboard three to four ships of an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), it is task-organized to accomplish a broad range of mission requirements. When embarked aboard amphibious shipping the MEU deploys with 15 days of accompanying supplies in classes I, II, VIII, and IX. The ARG deploys with 15 days of class III(, IV, and V embarked as Landing Force Operational Readiness Material (LFORM) to support the embarked MEU.

The MEU is comprised of a command element (CE); a reinforced infantry battalion as the ground combat element (GCE); a reinforced helicopter squadron as the aviation combat element (ACE); and a combat service support element (CSSE) designated the MEU Service Support Group (MSSG).

The Command Element (CE) provides command and control of the three Major Subordinate Elements (MSEs). In addition to the MEU commander and his supporting staff, the CE includes specialized detachments providing a direct action capability, naval gunfire liaison capability, reconnaissance and surveillance, and specialized communications and electronics warfare capabilities.

When the MEU is in CONUS and not embarked aboard ship, the Marine Expeditionary Force Commander exercises operational control (OPCON) of the MEU. When embarked aboard ARG ships, the Fleet Commander in whose area of operation the ARG is operating normally exercises OPCON of the MEU during routine activities. During contingencies, command relationships are prescribed in the alert, warning, and/or execute order. The MEU may be designated a separate component within a Joint Force or designated as the landing force of an Amphibious Task Force. It is considered unacceptable for the MEU Commander to be designated as a functional warfare commander within the Navy Composite Warfare Commander construct; nor is it acceptable for the MEU to be embedded in a command relationship that fails to provide the Commander, Landing Force the decision-making authority and span of control prescribed in Joint doctrine for landing force operations.

The Ground Combat Element (GCE) of a MEU is a Battalion Landing Team (BLT), is a reinforced infantry battalion of approximately 1,200 Marines, including three Rifle Companies. These attachments normally include artillery, engineers, light armored infantry (LAI), antiarmor, assault amphibian, and division reconnaissance units.

Artillery battery configured with six 155mm howitzers. The artillery battery includes its own truck platoon with a mix of 1-ton and 5-ton trucks for carrying ammunition and other supplies, and for towing artillery pieces.

Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) detachment configured with seven to sixteen Light Armored Vehicles (LAV) provides mobile reconnaissance screening and strike capability with its LAVs and organic infantry/scouts.

Assault Amphibian Vehicle (AAV) platoon configured with fifteen AAV's: provides amphibious-assault, ship-to-shore movement and ground mobility.

TOW platoon: provides a heavy anti-armor capability with 8 TOW anti-armor missile launchers.

Tank platoon (when required for a specific operation) configured with four M1A1 main battle tanks.

The Aviation Combat Element (ACE) of a MEU is a reinforced medium helicopter squadron. This squadron is normally reinforced with a mix of transport helicopters, attack helicopters, a detachment from the Marine Air Control Group (MACG), a Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) section, and a detachment from the Marine Wing Support Group (MWSG). VSTOL attack aircraft and aerial refueler/transport aircraft, if not embarked, may be provided as reinforcements if required.

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM), configured with twelve CH-46E helicopters, provides medium-lift assault support and is the core of the ACE.

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) detachment, configured with four CH-53E helicopters: provides extended-range, heavy-lift assault support.

Marine Light Attack Squadron (HMLA) detachment, configured with four AH-1W attack helicopters, and three UH-1N utility helicopters: provides close air support, airborne command and control, and escort.

Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) detachment, configured with six AV-8B Harrier aircraft provides organic close air support (when required for a specific operation -- not all MEU deployments include the Harrier). The AV-8B Harrier VSTOL jet may be substituted for the attack helicopters. When appropriate shipping (i.e., LHA, LHD) is not available, the detachment trains with the MEU throughout the Predeployment Training Program (PTP), and then is placed on CONUS standby and prepared to deploy within 96 hours.

Marine Aerial Refueler/Transport Squadron (VMGR) detachment, configured with two KC-130 aircraft: provides refueling services for embarked helicopters and AV-8B aircraft, and performs other support tasks (e.g., parachute operations, flare drops, cargo transportation, etc.) as required. Maximum flexibility is maintained with an airborne C3 capability. The detachment trains with the MEU throughout the PTP, and then is on CONUS standby and prepared to deploy within 96 hours.

Marine Air Control Group (MACG) detachment that encompasses the Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battery detachment: provides low level, close-in air defense.

The Combat Service Support Element (CSSE) of a MEU is a MSSG formed from the FSSG. Relatively small in numbers, usually with less than 300 Marines and Sailors, a MEU Service Support Group provides combat support, specifically: supply; maintenance; transportation; explosive ordnance disposal; military police; disbursing (pay services); water production and distribution; engineering; medical and dental services; fuel storage and distribution; and other services to the deployed MEU. The MSSG normally consists of an executive staff, two support platoons, and six service support platoons. The two support platoons are the Headquarters Platoon and the Communications Platoon. The six service support platoons are the Engineer Support Platoon, the Maintenance Support Platoon, the Motor Transport Platoon, the Landing Support Platoon, the Supply Platoon, and the Medical Platoon. Within its organic assets, the MSSG is capable of providing limited line haul transportation, limited third echelon repairs, and Arrival Airfield Control Group (AACG) or Departure Airfield Control Group (DACG) functions.

In 1991 there were six permanent MEUs, three on the US east coast and three on the west coast. At any given time, two MEUs were forward deployed, two others were in training, and the remaining two were either standing up, standing down, or in transit. While MEU headquarters were permanent organizations, the units assigned to them rotated on a 15-month cycle (nine months stateside and six months deployed). A normal deployment included the "work up," a six-month training and familiarization program that welded separate MAGTF units into a unified combat-ready force; a six-month deployment, known as a "pump"; and the return trip which included the turnover, wash down, and homebound transit.

All elements come together for six months of training then deploy for six months as a forward-deployed, self-sustaining Marine Air-Ground Task Force. There are seven MEU's in the Corps, three on each coast of the United States and one in Okinawa, Japan [the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit was activated on 09 September 1992]. The East Coast MEUs maintain a near-constant presence in the Mediterranean, while the West Coast MEUs deploy to the Western Pacific, to include the Persian Gulf. Each MEU follows a similar work-up/deployment cycle.

A MEU's BLT is task organized for three methods of insertion. One rifle company is trained on small boats, one rifle company is meched up with AAVs (and the BLT's LAVs and tanks-the BLT may be LAV heavy and sans tanks, or a mix of a reinforced LAV platoon and a tank platoon) as the primary maneuver element, and one rifle company is the helo company.

Additionally the BLT's heavy machinegun platoon and antiarmor platoon (found the the BLT's Weapons Company) are tasked organized into combined anti-armor teams or CAATs. This usually consits of two section sized elements with hardback HMMWVs mounted with TOWs, Javelins, .50 cals, and Mk-19s. The CAAT sections usually work in general support of the BLT, but may also be part of the mech company, depending on the mission.

The BLT's artillery battery usually ends up performing a provisional infantry role since most of the fire support comes from the MEUs air assets or the carrier battle group that is usually nearby.

Marine units organized for land combat, such as a RCT are more traditional in organization, however all Marine combat forces are organized with ground, air, and logistics all combined.

MEUs are tailored packages and when committed to sieze and airfield and/or port, are meant to be reinforced with Marine or Army units flown in and/or arriving on ships, such as the Marine's MPF assets.

24th MEU

[Peter Cairns]

LtCol West,

thanks for that,

it looks a good basis for a campaign TOE, with the three BLT's being used to restrict or organise what you can use in a particular scenario.

The discussion of the numbers or indeed inclusion of tanks also means that the idea of tailoring the main TOE is realistic.

Peter.

[MikeyD]

Very nice posting, LtCol West! A self-contained MEU sounds ideal for packaging-up into a CMSF addition.

It was units from the MEU (SOC) aboard the USS Peleliu AGR and USS Bataan ARG that went into Afghanistan. I recall this because they were in place for the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 2001

[Imperial Grunt]

I agree! A CM:Marines game should focus on MEU operations as well as standard MAGTF (Marine-Air-Ground-Task-Force)operations, such as I MEF in Iraq.

A MEF or MEB is like a giant MEU, but without the special ops focus. I MEF in Iraq had the largest Marine air combat element ever assempled, under 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW). The MEF's ground combat element consisted of 1st Marine Division (reinforced), organized into 3 RCTs, and TF Tawara, a Marine Brigade consisting of elements from 2nd Marine Division and II MEF. For combat support, I MEF had 1st FSSG (Force Service Support Group). The command element (CE) of I MEF, had a very large Force Recon TF for both direct action as well as reconnaisance, as well as all the necessary command and control and intelligence gathering assets that the MEF needed.

It was a very powerful combined-arms force that also had a very different set of capabilites than the Army component, which was spearheaded by 3rd ID (Mech). I MEF and the Army forces in OIF1 really complemented each other with their warfighting capablities, making the total force heading north into Iraq very effective.

Marine forces also operate as Marine Expeditionary Brigades (MEBs), which consist of a Marine air combat element, a brigade service support group, and a RCT or RLT, depending whether the MEB is task organized for amphibious operations or is a fly-in MEB that falls in on a Marine brigades worth of gear provided by Maritime Pre-positioned Force (MPF) ships. The MPF ships provide enough gear to create a mechanized RCT, support several squadrons of rotary-wing and fixed wing avaition, and enough CSS for 30 days of combat operations. The MPF ships do need a secure port (and a secure airfield for the troops to arrive) but they have a roll-on/roll-off capability and do not need intact port infrastructure to offload.

That probably just confused everyone, and to top it off, the Marines are always task organizing its MEUs, MEBs, and MEFs for the mission at hand. No two will ever be exactly alike, other than that each Marine deployed force will always have a command element, a ground combat element, an air combat element, and a combat service support element, making up a MAGTF. That is the golden rule of the MAGTF concept.

[Peter Cairns]

LtCol West,

Can i take it from the above, that as the MEU's are task specific depending on the mission, the idea that you create yor own force to fit up to set limits within say a Iwo Jima, isn't that unrealistic.

At a campaign level you would be briefed on what was facing you based on Intel and then would need to chose your forces accordingly.

In addition what you were saying about airfields and landing facilities for RoRo, would make a good basis for individual scenario objectives, where you would have to assemble small craft, amphibious, or airborne forces to sieze particular objectives.

A fall back would be mid campaign reinforcesments where you would get a chance to either alter the balance as the mission changed, or a default setting would alter your force, if you were going badly wrong ( the equivielent of high up changing your force).

Just as an aside could you help with this. Using Seaknights to get people in , if the target was say 10km inland and defended,

1) How close would the troops land, (would in be on map in CM:M, with a 4km map, or would they enter on foot).

2) How far of shore would the assault ship be, and in terms of reinforcement, what would the turn around time be for a second wave, assuming you used the same Seaknights. Woiuld it be too long for the average CM:M game.

3) at those ranges what would be the amount of game time that Av-8B's or Cobra would be available.

4) would a ship like an Iwo Jima, have a CSAR element for use in small special forces scenarios or would that be an add on or option for the player to choose ( if you didn't have it it would skip the scenario, if it did you would play it but you had to give up space for something else).

Peter.

[Imperial Grunt]

Originally posted by Peter Cairns:

LtCol West,

Can i take it from the above, that as the MEU's are task specific depending on the mission, the idea that you create yor own force to fit up to set limits within say a Iwo Jima, isn't that unrealistic.

At a campaign level you would be briefed on what was facing you based on Intel and then would need to chose your forces accordingly.

In addition what you were saying about airfields and landing facilities for RoRo, would make a good basis for individual scenario objectives, where you would have to assemble small craft, amphibious, or airborne forces to sieze particular objectives.

A fall back would be mid campaign reinforcesments where you would get a chance to either alter the balance as the mission changed, or a default setting would alter your force, if you were going badly wrong ( the equivielent of high up changing your force).

Just as an aside could you help with this. Using Seaknights to get people in , if the target was say 10km inland and defended,

1) How close would the troops land, (would in be on map in CM:M, with a 4km map, or would they enter on foot).

2) How far of shore would the assault ship be, and in terms of reinforcement, what would the turn around time be for a second wave, assuming you used the same Seaknights. Woiuld it be too long for the average CM:M game.

3) at those ranges what would be the amount of game time that Av-8B's or Cobra would be available.

4) would a ship like an Iwo Jima, have a CSAR element for use in small special forces scenarios or would that be an add on or option for the player to choose ( if you didn't have it it would skip the scenario, if it did you would play it but you had to give up space for something else).

Peter.

The MEUs, as part of the Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) are not really task organized mission specific, but task organized for the theatre to which they will spend the majority of their operational time afloat. East Coast MEUs usually operate in the Med and Atlantic, while West Coast MEUs (and the 31st MEU out of Okinawa) operate in the Pacific. Of course any MEU may be sent anywhere, depending on where the ARGs are when a particular crisis occurs.

Once the MEU recieves a mission and launches forces, those forces would be tailored for the primary mission, such as an port or airfield siezures, embassy reinforcement or evacuation, maritime interdiction, etc..

The ARG does not maintain a CSAR capablity, but the MEU does. Whenever the MEU is conducting air operations, the BLT will stand up its TRAP (Tactical Recovery of Aircraft or Personnel) force, which is staged in the well-deck, ready to go up to the flight deck and launch as soon as they get their mission briefing. Such a TRAP force conducted the rescue of US Airforce Capt O'Grady during the conflict in Bosnia.

The carrier battlegroup that is supporting the ARG (now the US Navy combines the battlegroups with the ARGs into Expeditionary Warfare Strike Groups) does maintain a CSAR capability with dedicated CSAR aircraft (Seahawks) and crews.

Here are some answers to your questions:

1) The helo company practises what we call a "hard or soft hit". A hard hit is when the helo force actually lands on the objective, usually dropping Marines by fastrope. With practise, and entire company can be on the ground in a matter of minutes, with each stick from each helo taking down objectives quickly. This, of course would be done after recon elements are in place as well as fire support from Cobras. Defending against a hard hit at night is actually pretty hard. Low flying and fast moving helos do achieve a fair amount of surprize. Especially when snipers open fire when the aircraft are 30 seconds out.

A soft hit is when the helo force lands off site and has to infiltrate to its target. That is usually done when the defenses, terrian, etc.. around the objective preclude a hard hit.

The helo company also has access to the CH-53Es, which are faster and have longer legs (and can be refueled in flight) than the imperial battle frogs (the CH-46s), depending on the mission. Also the CH-53Es can bring in the BLTs fast attack vehicles (vehicles like jeeps with machineguns or TOWs on them) or sling-load HMMWVs and other stuff.

So, with all that said, where and how far out the troops will land depends on the situation.

2) The ships of the ARG will close as far as they can with due regard to the antiship missile threat. If the target is in Somolia for example, the ships might be just a few miles off shore or less. Off the coast of Iran would be different. The ARG will usually be much closer to shore at night than during the day, unless the commander wants the ARGs presence to be known. The ships just showing up off the coast can be a pretty good political deterrent.

3) The on-station time for Harrier operating off of the flight deck would be fairly long. The Harriers can strike, return to the LHA to re-arm and refuel, and get back on station for another CAS mission fairly quickly. That is the reason the Marines have that otherwise not so great tactical aircraft. The Cobras are slower, of course. Obviously both the AV-8Bs and Cobras on station time would be closely synchronized with the needs of the mission commander. The MEU can also request air support from the carrier battle group in theater as well. So, again, it all depends on the situation.

4) Question is already answered. Apart from the MEUs Maritime Special Purpose Force, (MSPF) which is its direct action element consisting of mostly Force Recon Marines, the ARG usually has a SEAL platoon embarked for beach reconnaissance and other SEAL missions.

Hope this helps.

[Imperial Grunt]

Here is the link to the 15th MEU (SOC)s website.

15th MEU

[Imperial Grunt]

Marine with 3rd LAR on patrol:

Marine on patrol

[ June 21, 2006, 11:11 AM: Message edited by: LtCol West ]

[Imperial Grunt]

God Bless Lance Corporals...

'Rocket Man' Rocks Insurgents in Ramadi

Marine has effectively fired 24 rockets using the Shoulder-Launched

Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon or SMAW during combat operations in Ramadi.

By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Doug Pfeffer

2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment

RAMADI, Iraq, June 14, 2006 — The crack of insurgents firing rounds overhead sends him into action to find his target and neutralize it - fast. The Marine assesses multiple enemy targets approximately 400 meters away. He sights in. His finger steadily squeezes the trigger as a single shot jets from his rocket launcher. The explosion rocks the earth as the perfect hit is rewarded by the now silenced enemy – courtesy of the "Rocket man."

"During almost every engagement he has stopped enemy fire by destroying insurgents held up in a building. Without hesitation he has exposed himself to enemy fire numerous times in order to execute my intent and help his fellow Marines."

U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Carlos M. Goetz

“They are calling me ‘Rocket man’ because of all the rockets I’ve fired since we have been here,” said Lance Cpl. Richard M. Mason II, of Medina, Ohio. “It’s an adrenaline rush to be the guy firing the rocket during a firefight.”

Mason has accurately fired 24 rockets in combat and his teammates have dubbed him appropriately.

The 21-year-old assaultman with K Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment has become a vital asset in the ongoing battle against the insurgency in the capital of Al Anbar province.

“During almost every engagement he has stopped enemy fire by destroying insurgents held up in a building,” said 1st Lt. Carlos M. Goetz, 2nd platoon commander. “Without hesitation he has exposed himself to enemy fire numerous times in order to execute my intent and help his fellow Marines.”

“Twenty-four is an awesome feat. He has become very proficient at his job,” said Goetz, 29, from Miami, Fla.

Mason decided to follow his grandfather’s footsteps by joining the Marine Corps in October of 2003. So far during his enlistment, he traveled with 3/8 to the Caribbean in 2004 and participated in Operation Secure Tomorrow in Haiti. He battled the insurgency in Fallujah in 2005 and now, on his second tour to Iraq, he is helping to improve the security conditions in Ramadi.

His weapon is a portable anti-armor rocket launcher known as the Shoulder-Launched Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon or SMAW. When fully loaded, this 30-pound weapon can destroy bunkers and other fortifications during assault operations. It even has the capability to bring down battle tanks.

In 2004, Mason attended the School of Infantry after graduating boot camp. This is where he learned to become efficient with his favorite weapon system. The mixture of class room instruction and live fire proved to be the perfect recipe for Mason’s growing skill.

“My instructor had the same last name as me and he was always pushing me to be better,” said Mason. “On SMAW ranges I took everything very serious as if I were in combat.”

While the SMAW system is effectively equipped with a technologically advanced optical device and 9mm spotting rifle, Mason prefers the old-school method when aiming in on his targets, even in the dark.

“I prefer the iron sights. I don’t use a scope or the spotter,” said Mason. “In this type of environment you don’t always have time to use those things.”

One night during an attack on the Government Center, mortar teams launched illumination rounds to give Mason enough light to see his target. However, the objective was not the only thing the flare illuminated; it also exposed Mason’s position on the roof. Insurgents spotted him and rounds came flying his way. That night he fired four rockets in heavy contact to repel the attack.

“It’s not difficult to fire. It’s the loud explosion going off right next to you that’s hard to deal with,” he said. “People anticipate the recoil but there is none and as far as the explosion you just have to learn to deal with it.”

In another situation, K Company Marines at the Government Center began exchanging machinegun fire with insurgents May 2. The insurgents managed to burrow themselves inside a well fortified building which made it harder for the Marines to eliminate the threat. Mason was ordered to fire a rocket at the building from the rooftop. He scrambled to the rooftop again exposing himself to incoming fire, his teammates laid down suppressive fire and he launched a rocket at the building.

“His quick reactions possibly saved the lives of his fellow Marines. You only get one opportunity to shoot it,” said Goetz. “It leaves a big signature so you need to be on target.”

Cpl. Jeremiah A. Hendricks, an operations clerk for the battalion, met Mason during their deployment in Haiti.

“I’m impressed by what he’s done. It motivates me to know his skills are being used well in battle,” said Hendricks, 23, from Atlanta, Ga. “It takes a lot of courage to be exposed to enemy fire so many times.”

Hendricks is one of many of Mason’s fellow comrades who say he is an outstanding Marine and asset to the platoon.

“He displays a lot of maturity and is always willing to do the job,” said Goetz. “He’s an advantage to our platoon and the Marine Corps benefits from having him in their ranks.”

“It makes me feel good when they specifically call for my name over the radio when they need to send a rocket down range,” said Mason. “I feel like a real asset.”

[LongLeftFlank]

"A Marine Corps of One"

[Canuck]

Err... any chance of reducing the size of that picture so that it doesn't take up approximately the same area as my DESK??

[Pinetree]

I think he wanted to show the picture at a 1:1 scale...

[LongLeftFlank]

This is what discussion threads look like on the surface of Jupiter.

[LongLeftFlank]

Oh, and Pinetree, re your sigline, that isn't the first time Microsoft's ad agency has been a little more clever than it quite intended:

A notorious 1997 TV ad for Internet Explorer used as its score Mozart's Requiem, in which the chorus intones:

Confutatis

Maledictus

Flammis acribus addictis.*

'Where do you want to go today?' , is the cheery line displayed on the TV screen.

* The Latin translates to: 'The damned and accursed shall be consigned to the flames of Hell.'

[Imperial Grunt]

Originally posted by Canuck:

Err... any chance of reducing the size of that picture so that it doesn't take up approximately the same area as my DESK??

Sorry about that, I dunno what happened.

[V]

Originally posted by LongLeftFlank:

This is what discussion threads look like on the surface of Jupiter.

LOL

[V]

Originally posted by LtCol West:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Canuck:

Err... any chance of reducing the size of that picture so that it doesn't take up approximately the same area as my DESK??

Sorry about that, I dunno what happened. </font>

[V]

Originally posted by LongLeftFlank:

Oh, and Pinetree, re your sigline, that isn't the first time Microsoft's ad agency has been a little more clever than it quite intended:

A notorious 1997 TV ad for Internet Explorer used as its score Mozart's Requiem, in which the chorus intones:

Confutatis

Maledictus

Flammis acribus addictis.*

'Where do you want to go today?' , is the cheery line displayed on the TV screen.

* The Latin translates to: 'The damned and accursed shall be consigned to the flames of Hell.'

That's....nice.... :eek: