Marines Ramp Up Readiness in the Indo-Pacific

From 17-24 April 2020,US Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted full mission profile drills, including vertical assault,aerial reconnaissance and simulated close-air support,in the South and East China Seas.They were based on the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6).
At one point, two rifle companies from a Battalion Landing Team mustered their assault force with full combat gear in the ship's cargo bay, ultimately embarking both rifle companies aboard two waves of MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.
Said MAJ Jeremy Fisher, company Commander of Bravo Co,BLT 1/5:
This training rehearses our Marines, the ship's crew, and other supporting components of the MAGTF so that if we were to execute a quick reaction mission real world, we've already identified and addressed any friction that might arise.*
In the East China Sea, the MEU conducted a tactical debarkation down cargo nets into an 11-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat, ensuring the Marines can surge combat power ashore via multiple methods.
As well, daily flight operations were staged to enhance readiness.In particular F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters flew sorties day and night, including aerial reconnaissance missions throughout the South China Sea, and projecting USMC air power to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific Region.*
COL Robert Brodie, commanding officer of 31st MEU, noted that:
Whether it's our F-35s conducting an Expeditionary strike, our riflemen raiding an objective,or our combat logistics Marines supporting humanitarian assistance, the MEU stands ready to support our Nation's call-Ready,Partnered, and Lethal.*
The USS America is permanently forward-deployed to Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan.*
NATO is in the process of formulating its approach to China.*

Aircraft Carrier Rushed to Europe on Snap Deployment - big NATO exercise scenario revealed

The US Navy's aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and its Carrier Strike Group of a Guided Missile Cruiser,Guided Missile Destroyers and likely an Attack Submarine has been on a breakneck pace as of late.After a summer deployment that was abruptly halted in July after only three months,as opposed to the customary seven months,and a return to its Norfolk,Virginia homeport,the Truman was ordered right back to Europe and arrived in mid-September.The ship and its 6,000 crewmembers are to be a focal point of the massive NATO Exercise Trident Juncture 2018,which runs from 25 October to 7 November.Some 45,000 personnel from 29 NATO Allies,plus partner nations Finland and Sweden,will participate.*
The Truman's demanding schedule is part of the US Navy's new Dynamic Force Employment strategy.It means the warships and their crews must be on a more agile and unpredictable footing for crisis response in an era of renewed great power competition.As ADL Christopher Grady,commander,Fleet Forces Command,put it:
Let me be clear:all returning units are one hundred percent mission-capable and will remain in the sustainment phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan,which means they will sustain warfighting readiness and be ready to surge forward or redeploy when called upon.*
As Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told the US House of Representatives:
The way you do this is ensure that preparation for great power competition drives not simply a rotational schedule that allows me to tell you,three years from now,which aircraft carrier will be where in the world.*
According to US Navy ADL James G. Foggo III,commander,US Naval Forces Europe and Africa and all NATO naval forces:
Trident Juncture 18 is going to test our ability to plan and conduct a major collective defence operation .*
The drills will be held in Central and Eastern Norway;the contiguous Baltic Sea and North Atlantic Ocean;Iceland and the airspace of Finland and Sweden.The exercise scenario is that a NATO Ally has requested help under the Alliance's Article V collective defence clause.*
About 2,000 US Marines and Sailors with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the roughly 700 Marines of the 3rd Battalion,8th Marines already on rotation in Norway will also play a major role in the scenario with the new anti-tank version of the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV-AT).These are armed with the TOW anti-tank missile.

US Marine,Canadian RAF Firefighters Train Together

US Marine Corps Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Specialists trained with their Canadian Royal Air Force counterparts at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake,Alberta in Exercise Maple Flag 46.The annual Canadian RAF multinational air combat exercise provides Coalition forces the opportunity to learn how to work together and share best practices.
The Marine specialists assisted the Canadian RAF in fuel delivery and quality assurance,as well as supply,administration,communications and flightline support.Maple Flag 46 ran from 27 May to 21 June,2013.
In the course of the training,Marine and Canadian RAF personnel fought simulated aircraft and structure fires.The Marines were also on standby for any actual emergencies that might occur at Cold Lake.
Marine ARRF Sergeant Brad Alexander contrasted the Marine and Canadian RAF methods.While the Marines focus on speed and reaction time,they benefited from the Canadians' measured strategy.The Canadians don't run anywhere,but they move with a purpose.They get the mission done and they don't waste any time.They step back,look at the big picture,assess the situation and how to attack it
Sharing a crash barn,or fire staion,with the Canadians has been nothing but a positive experience,Sgt.Alexander said.
It was a valuable experience working with another country.The blending of strategies contributes to mission success.
Aircraft rescue and firefighting involves the response,hazard mitigation,evacuation and rescue of air crew and passengers in an air base ground emergency.There cannot be air combat without such support operations.