MEF CG motivates, inspires 15TH MEU (SOC), Royal Marines

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I MEF CG motivates, inspires 15TH MEU (SOC), Royal Marines
Submitted by: 15th MEU
Story Identification Number: 20033494644
Story by Cpl. Anthony R. Blanco



CAMP GIBRALTAR, Kuwait(Mar. 4, 2003) -- CAMP GIBRALTAR, Kuwait -- British Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade and U.S. Marines and Sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) gathered here March 2 for a speech from Lt. Gen. James T. Conway, the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force about what they can expect in the coming weeks.

"Never more will our country sustain the [attack] we saw in September a couple of years ago," Lt. Gen. Conway said. "I think [President Bush] made that decision when he stood looking at a giant hole in the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and an even larger one up in New York City where the twin towers had been and 3,000 people died."

The United Kingdom lost approximately 300 Britons during the attack on the World Trade Center.

More than 1,500 United States Marines and Sailors stood with 3,000 British Royal Marines in a coalition formation during the speech.

Lieutenant Gen. Conway's speech re-enforced President George W. Bush's commitment to rid the world of terrorists, and not to allow another September 11 to occur.

Although the tragedy happened nearly 18 months ago on U.S. soil, the United Kingdom has backed the efforts of the U.S. in the global war on terror.

Throughout the years, both American and British Marine Corps maintained close ties with countless individual and unit-sponsored exchange programs. In 1991, American Marines and British Royal Marine units worked together under Central Command in Operation Safehaven in Northern Iraq. During the war on terrorism, both United States and United Kingdom joined forces again during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

"Those Marines who have gone before us have given us two things - one is a reputation," Lt. Gen. Conway said. "The second thing we bring is whole concept of combined arms."

"It was unique to have a mass formation with our United Kingdom brothers," said, Gunnery Sgt. Howard Macaulay, the NBC chief for the 15th MEU (SOC), a Reno Nev., native.

The Royal Marines who worked with U.S. Marines in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom can sense the feeling of brotherhood between the two countries, according to Royal Marine Staff Sgt. Adie Dance, 35, a Plymouth, United Kingdom native, the Artillery Support Troop staff sergeant, Commando Logistics Regiment.

"You could tell he is firmly committed to what we're doing here," said Royal Marine Rajinder Singh, 32, a London native, a Royal Marine with the United Kingdom Landing Force.

Lance Cpl. Marvin Chee, 23, a Navajo, N.M., native, an operations clerk, S-3, Command Element, said it was good to hear the general say that two of the world's finest fighting forces would be working together to accomplish the mission.

For Captain Ryder White, 32, a Tehachapi, Calif., native, the force reconnaissance platoon commander, 15th MEU (SOC), said that the general's speech was pure motivation. White also commented on if he and his Marines cross the border, that the nation and higher headquarters were behind them 100 percent.


Sempers,

Roger


CAMP GIBRALTAR, Kuwait -- I Marine Expeditionary Force Commanding General James T. Conway addresses U.S. Marines and Sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) and British Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anthony R. Blanco)
Photo by: Cpl. Anthony R. Blanco

[Sticky blue]

Thought you guys should see this... I'll post it in a couple of other places as well as I feel it is worthy of it! How is this for a piece of motivational speaking?:


Special report: With an impassioned speech that brought tough infantrymen to tears, a British commander prepared them last night for the horror and the tragedy of war.

Lt Colonel Tim Collins, of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, told them to be ferocious in battle and magnanimous in victory after bringing the enemy to his "rightful destruction".

But he warned his soldiers that it was possible not all of them would come home.

"It is my foremost intention to bring every single one of you out alive but there may be people among us who will not see the end of this campaign," he declared.

"We will put them in their sleeping bags and send them back. There will be no time for sorrow."

Warning against 'killing spree'

The CO told his men he would tolerate neither cowardice nor a killing spree, but they should show no mercy to forces who remain loyal to Saddam Hussein.

He also declared that any Iraqi troops who declared a truce in the face of the advancing Allies would be embraced by the coalition and permitted to fight for regime change in their own nation.

"The enemy should be in no doubt that we are his Nemesis and that we are bringing about his rightful destruction.

"There are many regional commanders who have stains on their souls and they are stoking the fires of hell for Saddam.

"He and his forces will be destroyed by this coalition for what they have done. As they die they will know their deeds have brought them to this place. Show them no pity."

Entering 'to free a people

The commander spoke to his 800 men, an arm of Britain's 16 Air Assault Brigade, at Fort Blair Mayne, their Kuwaiti desert camp 20 miles from the Iraqi border.

Wearing his kukri, the blade he is entitled to carry as a Gurkha commander, he said: "We go to liberate not to conquer. We will not fly our flags in their country. We are entering Iraq to free a people and the only flag which will be flown in that ancient land is their own. Show respect for them.

"There are some who are alive at this moment who will not be alive shortly. Those who do not wish to go on that journey, we will not send. As for the others I expect you to rock their world.

"Wipe them out if that is what they choose. But if you are ferocious in battle, remember to be magnanimous in victory.

"It is a big step to take another human life. It is not to be done lightly.

"I know of men who have taken life needlessly in other conflicts. I can assure you they live with the mark of Cain upon them.

"If someone surrenders to you then remember they have that right in international law and ensure that one day they go home to their family. The ones who wish to fight, well, we aim to please."

Band of brothers

As the men listened in silence, the dying minutes of a day-long dust storm giving added drama to his address, Lt Colonel Collins reminded them they were a band of brothers.

He said: "If you harm the regiment or its history by overenthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer.

"You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest, for your deeds will follow you down through history. We will bring shame on neither our uniform or our nation."

The Royal Irish Regiment was formed in July 1992, following the merger of the Ulster Defence Regiment and the Royal Irish Rangers.

Colonel Collins's family come from Ireland and, since the 1857 Indian mutiny, have served the regiment. But the colonel, who can often be found with a cigar clenched between his teeth and sporting gold Ray-Ban sunglasses, often appears more like an American officer than an Irishman.

Seventy-five per cent of his officers are from Ireland, but he is also in charge of a company of Gurkhas and soldiers from Fiji, Antigua, St Vincent, South Africa, Australia and Canada.

'Lets bring everyone home'

The CO warned his men that they would certainly face Saddam's chemical and biological arsenal. "It is not a question of if, it's a question of when.

"We know he has already devolved the decision to lower commanders, and that means he has already taken the decision himself. If we survive the first strike we will survive the attack."

The commander said he expected the coming conflict to last a minimum ten days and a maximum three weeks, and added that it was vital if the West is to curb the threat posed by Moslem fundamentalists.

But he made it clear his men were to respect Iraqi culture and religion and not confuse it with the kind of international terrorism Saddam had cultivated within his borders.

"Iraq is steeped in history. It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and the birthplace of Abraham. Tread lightly there.

"You will see things that no man could pay to see and you will have to go a long way to find a more decent, generous and upright people than the Iraqis. You will be embarrassed by their hospitality even though they have nothing.

"Don't treat them as refugees for they are in their own country. Their children in years to come will know that the light of liberation in their lives was brought by you.

"If there are casualties of war then remember that when they woke up and got dressed in the morning they did not plan to die this day. Allow them dignity in death. Bury them properly and mark their graves."

His closing words were resolute: "As for ourselves, let's bring everyone home and leave Iraq a better place for us having been there. Our business now is North."


Source: http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/news/iraq/article.html?in_article_id=172742&in_page_id=