Marines in Libya?

[USNAviator]

Marines bound for Libya?

More than 200 years ago, Marines made a name for themselves fighting the Barbary pirates at the shores of Tripoli. Could they be returning soon?

The question at least needs to be asked, in light of the Pentagon’s acknowledgement today that they are repositioning naval forces off the coast of Libya — including its capital, Tripoli — as the security situation in the north African country continues to crumble.

Conceptually, it’s a made-for-Marines special if ground operations are deemed necessary. Marine expeditionary units aboard Navy vessels are typically among the first involved in humanitarian operations, evacuations and other actions needed in a crumbling country.

There’s a catch, however.

The nearby 26th MEU, out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., already deployed much of its ground combat element — Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines — to Afghanistan in January. There are certainly still able-bodied Marines with the MEU aboard the amphibious assault ship Kearsarge, but the scope of what they can do might be be limited.

Pentagon spokesman Col. David Lapan said the military is repositioning forces to provide flexibility as options are considered, but declined to provide specifics. A spokesman for U.S. Central Command, Army Lt. Col. Mike Lawhorn added similar sentiments.

Let’s not forget the other operations that could be called for, however. If airlifts are needed, there are still plenty of Navy and Marine aviation assets deployed with the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group. There also are Marines stationed in northern Africa in Djibouti, where Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa is based. Elements of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, out of New River, N.C., are currently based there with CH-53E heavy-lift helicopters.

[Tennessee Top]

I read our embassy was already closed and hopefully, the majority of Americans were able to leave the country by now. With some luck, an evacuation will not be necessary.

Heard on the news today the USAID is organizing humanitarian relief efforts; it's possible our military may get involved with that.

[Covey_Rider]

I don't think it's going to happen. I think that Libya MAY be turned into a bombing campaign and a small special operations mission. Outside of that I don't see regular forces being put on the ground in that country. The citizens would be able to handle things on their own provided we remove the governments mass amounts of armored vehicles and all of their South African guns for hire.

[xbsnguy]

Pardon me Marines -- if I may quickly interject into this discussion with some information, I read that the opposition rebels had set up a "ruling council" to act as government in areas they control and have expressed their wish for "no foreign intervention".

It seems that they wish this revolution to be fought and won by Libyans alone.

I don't know how this will affect our response. Thoughts?

[USNAviator]

Well, it wouldn't be a bad idea, if we want to see how many countries we can be in at any one time. We could try to set a record, I guess, and just hope that not too far down the road another distant land is calling our name.
I think two countries is enough for now, but I may be wrong.

Like maybe North Korea? Or Iran?

[Wrench3516]

400 Marines to join Kearsarge near Libya

Marine Corps Times
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Mar 1, 2011 17:15:49 EST

The Pentagon is sending an additional 400 Marines to join the amphibious assault ship Kearsarge near North Africa in response to the unrest in Libya, Pentagon officials said Tuesday.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered the Kearsarge and the amphibious transport dock Ponce to move from the U.S. Central Command region into the Mediterranean Sea to provide the capability for evacuation or humanitarian aid.
“We are obviously looking at a lot of options and contingencies,” Gates said Tuesday at a Pentagon briefing.

U.S. military officials are closely tracking the events in Libya, where armed rebels are clashing with military forces loyal to the Arab nation’s longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Gates downplayed the prospect of military action in Libya, noting that there is no clear support from the United Nations or a consensus among U.S. allies.

The Kearsarge deployed in December with an amphibious readiness group with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, but most of those Marines have deployed to Afghanistan. A spokeswoman for U.S Central Command on Tuesday was unable to say where those additional 400 Marines were coming from.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton suggested officials were considering imposing a no-fly zone over Libya amid reports that Gadhafi was using his air force to bomb rebels.

“No option is off the table. That, of course, includes a no-fly zone,” Clinton said Monday after diplomatic meetings in Switzerland. “Gadhafi has lost the legitimacy to govern and it is time for him to go without further violence or delay.”

But military officials have downplayed the prospect of a no-fly zone.
Marine Gen. James Mattis, CENTCOM commander, told lawmakers during a previously scheduled hearing Tuesday that a no-fly zone would require a full-scale military operation to destroy the Libyan regime’s air defenses.

“No illusion here — it would be a military operation. It wouldn’t be just telling people not to fly airplanes,” Mattis told the Senate Armed Service Committee.

[ShannonL]

If you guys go there, I wish you all the best! if that place goes then its gonna get real hot real fast.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Bet that is a FAST company......

[ShannonL]

Long time!!!...Those Libyans run around like rats...with the gov trying to buy supporters...

[wildwoman73]

Well, it wouldn't be a bad idea, if we want to see how many countries we can be in at any one time. We could try to set a record, I guess, and just hope that not too far down the road another distant land is calling our name.
I think two countries is enough for now, but I may be wrong.

Ya, no kidding...sounds like a perfect set up to me. Let's spread out the US Military in 6 or 7 places and then find some third world country to attack us when our fighters are spread out everywhere except here in the US.

[tracs1833]

Ya, no kidding...sounds like a perfect set up to me. Let's spread out the US Military in 6 or 7 places and then find some third world country to attack us when our fighters are spread out everywhere except here in the US.

And after spreading our forces in as many countries as we can....let's downsize our military!!!!! Will be never learn?? Most of our politicians have the collective IQ of a scallop. Comparing most of our politicians to a bag of rocks is pure libel against said bag of rocks.

[ShannonL]

Well we have a MEC that wanted to probe a lightning strike in kwazulu natal...

"Excuse me God...I have a few questions with regards to your actions on sunday last..."

They are all the same...

[0331 2 0369]

Bet that is a FAST company......

Doesn't look that way right now. A good friend of mine (currently an Ops-O) told me yesterday in a round-about-way, that they are standing up for a Contigency Operation in case they are needed. They will be punching out in the future. No dates will be posted here. Won't give names or unit either. In our own "lingo", he mentioned possible ground Ops but was probably going to just be a show of force type of thing. Either way, he and I go back a long way and he is definitely the right Ops-O for that unit if they go in. Damn fine Officer(mustang) and I would serve with him again in a heart beat.

Fast might play a role in it to but don't think they will be the main effort.

[0861Scout]

Bet that is a FAST company......

From what I'm hearing when 3/8 went to a A'stan a NEO element remained with the vessels.

[0331 2 0369]

From what I'm hearing when 3/8 went to a A'stan a NEO element remained with the vessels.

That is true.... Since the "cats out of the bag" now, I can say 1/2(or parts of it) was sent to the AO also.