On August 17-18, 1942, members of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion made an attack on a small island in the Pacific Ocean held by Japanese forces during World War II. The raid had several objectives – destroy Japanese installations, gather intelligence of the Gilbert Islands area (map by Wikipedia), capture prisoners, and divert Japanese attention away from allied landings on Guadalcanal that occurred on August 9th. The raid also was an initial test of the raiding tactics and capabilities of the Marine Raider units.

Makin Island. The small island was the home of a Japanese seaplane base and had a garrison of less than 100 men. The island was a strategic atoll in the Marshalls as it afforded the Japanese a location from which to conduct air patrols along the eastern flank of the Japanese perimeter. The island is known as Butaritari Island, however, during World War II, the military referred to it as Makin Island. It had a large lagoon surrounded by the island that could accomodate fairly large ships; although the entrances to the lagoon were narrow. The island would later be taken by American forces in the November 1943.

Image. Astronaut photo, U.S. government. Government of Kiribati mapping information. (2012) Makin Island (Butaritari Island, Wikepedia).

Image. Gilbert Islands, Makin Island is the top island of the archilago. By Pitichinaccio – CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1350215

Submarine Infiltration. The Marine Raiders were transported to the island from Pearl Harbor aboard two large mine-laying submarines that had been converted to troop transports – the Nautilus and the Argonaut. The subs departed Pearl Harbor on August 8, 1942. Each of the submarines carried a company of raiders – for a total of 211 men (some sources say 221). The two companies were Companies A and B. The voyage was several days long – under cramped and hot conditions inside the submarines – one sub arriving on the 16th and the second on the 17th. During the Makin Island battle the submarines would provide fire support for the raiding party; firing against enemy positions on land, aircraft, and boats. During the course of the raid the submarines would be forced to submerge several times to avoid attack from enemy aircraft.

Landing Difficulties. The raiding force was to depart the subs in inflatable boats with motors and make a predawn landing on two locations on Butaritari Island beginning at 03:00 of the 17th. Once ashore it would destroy the garrison and then withdraw that evening. Things went badly from the outset while boarding the rubber boats from the subs. When the subs surfaced there were high seas and heavy rain. Many of the underpowered rubber boats were swamped and the engines had difficulty starting due to flooding with water. Some rubber boats were towed by others to make it to the island landing site. Due to the weather, it was decided at the last minute to utilize only one landing site on the island; instead of two. However, one element didn’t get the word and was separated from the main force. Some of the boat motors malfunctioned, slowing the landing process and causing confusion amongst the raiders. Once on shore the rubber boats were stashed in vegetation. Unfortunately, one of the Marines discharged his weapon shortly after the landing ruining the element of surprise.

Battle with the Garrison Force. The Marines were soon in contact with the Japanese force, estimated at 85 personnel, upon landing upon the island. Enemy snipers and machine guns halted the Marines advance towards the garrison. The Japanese then launched two banzai attacks which were defeated by the Americans. At that point, although not known to the Marines, the Japanese force was greatly diminished. Later in the day the Japanese attacked with air attacks and attempted to land troops in the lagoon with seaplanes – but unsuccessfully. Eventually, over the course of the next two days the surviving Japanese forces were dispersed and scattered around the island. The Japanese garrison was destroyed; to include the radio station, fuel, and other supplies.

Leaving the Island – More Difficulties. The departure from the island was a disaster. The heavy surf and barrier reef caused a lot of problems. Many of the outboard engines of the 18 rubber boats did not work. It was difficult to paddle against the heavy breakers and some boats capsized with the loss of equipment. Seven boats and less than 100 men did make it to the submarines on the evening of the 17th; but more than 100 men were still stranded on the island and were to remain overnight on the island. Things were thought to be dire for the Americans. Many had lost their clothing and weapons in the severe surf and the raid force had overestimated the remaining strength of the Japanese garrison. At one point in the early morning of the 18th, the commander of the raid, Lt Col Carlson, contemplated surrender to the enemy.

Back on the Subs. However, during the course of the next day – the 18th – it became evident that there was little Japanese resistance on the island and that the submarines were still available for exfiltration. A more suitable location was found for leaving the island on rubber boats – one with less surf. Almost all of the remainder of the raiding force would make it to the submarines the night of the 18th. Nine men were inadvertently left behind once the submarines set off for Pearl Harbor, arriving on August 25th (Nautilus) and August 26th (Argonaut).

Casualties. The Marine unit suffered losses in the raid. The official tally states that 18 (19?) were dead and 12 missing; among those missing were nine that had been left alive on the island. Seven Marines had drowned. They were captured on August 30th and later beheaded by the Japanese at Kwajalein Atol. Figures on Japanese losses vary, depending on the source. Estimates range from 65 to 160 enemy dead. Two Japanese seaplanes were destroyed while trying to reinforce the island with troops.

Marine Raiders. The Marine Corps had established four Raider battalions during World War II to provide the capability of small light units that could strike deep into enemy territory during the Pacific campaign. The Second Marine Raider Battalion was designated on February 19, 1942. For Raider Battalions would serve in the Pacific over the course of two years. In early 1944 the four battalions were disbanded. On February 1, 1944, the 1st Raider Regiment was redesignated the 4th Marine Regiment. Members of the Raider Training Center were transferred to the newly formed 5th Marine Division. In 2014, the Marine Special Operations Regiment, a subordinate unit of the United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), ws redesignated the Marine Raider Regiment.

Achievements of the Raid. The Makin Island raid was a learning moment for the Marines and the training of the Marine Raider battalions. The commander of the raiding party, Lt Col Evan Carlson, received the Navy Cross for his efforts in the battle. He would retire as a Brigadier General. Although the mission did not achieve all of its objectives it did prove to be a morale booster for the Marines and Navy and was a public relations success for the war effort. In 1943, the film Gung Ho! was released (see movie trailer, 1943). It depicted the 2nd Raider Battalion’s raid on Makin Island. Two U.S. Navy ships would bear the name of USS Makin Island. The 2nd Marine Raider Battalion would see more fighting during the Guadalcanal campaign.

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Image of Nautilus: U.S. Marines arrive at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 26 August 1942 on board the U.S. submarine Nautilus following their raid on Makin Island on 17-18 August, 1942.
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1388486

References:

“The Makin Island Raid”, Proceedings, U.S. Naval Institute, October 1946.
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1946/october/makin-island-raid

“Last Reminiscence of a Makin Island Raider”, Proceedings, U.S. Naval Institute, October 2022.
https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2022/october/last-reminiscence-makin-island-raider

“The Makin Island Raid, August 1942”, The Text Message, National Archives, November 14, 2012.
https://text-message.blogs.archives.gov/2012/11/14/seventy-years-ago-the-makin-island-raid-august-1942-2/

Videos:

Video – The Echoes of Makin Island. This video has clips of the 1943 movie Gung Ho!. Defense Media Activity – Marines, August 15, 2023, DVIDS, 3 minutes.
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/893859/echoes-makin-island

Video – 1942 Raid on Makin Raid. The History Guy, YouTube, 2020, 17 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvE03k7t2d4

Video – Raid on Makin Island. Kings and Generals, YouTube, 2022, 20 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ3YN-QFYbI

By Capt. Angelica White.

U.S. Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26 MEU), embarked aboard the three ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BAT ARG), successfully completed ARG/MEU exercise (AMX). During AMX, the 26th MEU successfully achieved C5ISR capabilities, capacities, and battlestaff competencies across MEU Mission Essential Tasks (METs), to include the ability to integrate with elements of Naval Special Warfare and NATO partners, from distributed locations within the littorals of eastern North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, April 13 to May 3, 2023.

Assessors and evaluators from Carrier Strike Group Four (CSG 4) and II Marine Expeditionary Force Expeditionary Operations Training Group (II MEF, EOTG), responsible for exercise design and control, established a realistic threat-based scenario reflective of the Sixth Fleet and Fifth Fleet areas of operations enabling the BAT ARG / 26 MEU the ability to hone warfighting readiness and increase lethality. AMX is the sixth of seven large scale pre-deployment events within the 26 MEU pre-deployment training continuum that ensures the 26th MEU properly task-organized and capable of executing all MEU Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) METs prior to the final Composite Unit pre-deployment training exercise (COMPTUEX).

Photo: A U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) lands during an amphibious assault as part ARG/Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Exercise (ARGMEUEX) on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 30, 2023. Lance Cpl. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo.

Within a realistic threat-based scenario, AMX provided an opportunity for the 26th MEU to replicate MAGTF operations on-land and from-the-sea including Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), Defense of the Amphibious Task Force (DATF), Expeditionary Advanced Based Operations (EABO), Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), multiple live-fire raids, information operations (IO), strikes, long-range reconnaissance, focused collection operations and operational preparation of the environment, an Embassy/Consulate reinforcement with a security force (SECFOR), to the rapid deployment of the 26th MEU Forward Command Element (FCE) led by the 26 MEU Executive Officer, Lt. Col. Josef Wiese in order to liaise with several Department of State representatives, a non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO), and culminating with a dynamic amphibious assault to seize key terrain in preparation for follow-on operations associated with the scenario. In addition to these core MAGTF mission sets, the 26th MEU demonstrated the ability to conduct rapid planning and contingency operations by serving as the “Treasure Coast” theater TRAP (Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel) force and standing missions requiring a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) supporting other forces within the scenario. More so, this exercise provided another opportunity for the 26th MEU to codify common tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and standard operating procedures (SOP) with the BAT ARG and SOF elements supporting the exercise.

Photo: U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embark a simulated enemy ship while conducting a visit, board, search and seizure during Amphibious Ready Group/MEU Exercise (ARGMEUEX), Atlantic Ocean, April 17, 2023. LCpl. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo.

AMX provided another opportunity for the 26th MEU to exercise enhanced interoperability with East-coast-based Naval Special Warfare units strengthening the habitual relationship between the 26th MEU and Naval and Marine Corps Special Operations Forces and building upon the MEU/SOF integrated lessons learned throughout the entire MEU pre-deployment training program. Elements of the 26th MEU’s Maritime Special Purpose Force completed an advanced MEU/SOF integrated raid course during the first week of AMX, enhancing MEU/SOF-I3 and serving as a culminating event to finalize MEU/SOF tactics, techniques, and procedures and standard operating procedures. The MEU/SOF integrated training continued throughout AMX and provided a more realistic training environment. More so, the integration and partnership between the 26th MEU and SOF throughout the pre-deployment training “work-ups” has enhanced the overall training for small unit training across each element of the MAGTF.

“We have a habitual relationship with East-coast-based Naval Special Warfare units. They truly have integrated into the 26th MEU and are a part of the Team. The MEU is a natural partner for NSW and MARSOC units. During AMX, we were fully integrated and operating as one force on the objective. We have ability to integrate with, complement, and set conditions for SOF and our partners and allies in the region. We used AMX as another opportunity to strengthen our robust SOF-I3 design through the execution of multiple direct actions during advanced MEU/SOF advanced raid training in Fort Story, followed by two full-mission profile MEU/SOF direct action raids against a live aggressor force during AMX.”

Maj. Michael Lowery, Commanding Officer of 26th MEU MSPF

“A forward-deployed Marine Expeditionary Unit is [truly] the natural partner for Naval Special Warfare, Marine Special Operations Teams, and other [U.S. or Allied] Special Operations Forces. AMX provided the 26th MEU with a great opportunity to showcase the relevance, flexibility, and all-domain operational capability the ARG/MEU Team provides a Geographic Combatant Commander, Fleet Commander, or Joint Special Operations Task Force Commander. AMX also highlighted the importance of having a forward-deployed MEU, embarked aboard Navy amphibious ships. The MEU MAGTF, when combined with the Amphibious Ready Group, is the nation’s premier crisis response force capable of responding across the full spectrum of military operations and capable of exploiting the asymmetric advantages the sea provides as maneuver space over our potential adversaries.”

Col. Dennis Sampson, Commanding Officer of the 26th MEU

During AMX, the Navy-Marine Corps Team successfully completed their first integrated live-fire exercise (ILFE), demonstrating the firepower and flexible response options the ARG/MEU team has for offensive and defensive operations within the littorals.

“The live-fire event demonstrates the Navy and Marine Corps team’s ability to defend the amphibious task force and engage the adversary using combined arms fires. During ILFE, the BAT ARG / 26 MEU integrated all three ships, UH-1Ys, AH-1s, MH-60s from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26, and other ground elements of the 26th MEU. Moreover, the ship’s force enhanced the capabilities of the BAT ARG to defend themselves against an asymmetrical threat.”

Lt. Cdr. Jesse Packard, Operations Officer, Amphibious Squadron 8

Lastly, AMX culminated with an amphibious assault under the direction of STRIKFORNATO to strengthen relationships prior to the BAT ARG / 26 MEU’s deployment to the Tri-COCOM area of operations – EUCOM, AFRICOM, and CENTCOM. “We’re certainly looking for opportunities to integrate and work with our allies and partners, here at home but more importantly when we are forward-deployed,” said Sampson, “AMX provided our Team with an opportunity to work with STRIKFORNATO, ultimately setting conditions for our success during our upcoming deployment.”

The 26th MEU serves as one of the Nation’s premier rapid response forces capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations, to include enabling the introduction of follow-on forces and designated special operations, in support of theater requirements of the Geographic Combatant Commander. Coupled with the BAT ARG, the 26th MEU serves as a premier stand-in force with a breadth of all domain capabilities to operate persistently within the littorals or within the weapons engagement zone of an adversary.

For more than 50 years, the 26th MEU has provided Geographic Combatant Commanders with a highly adaptive, potent, rapid response force capable of conducting missions across the full spectrum of military operations – its performance over the years has marked the 26th MEU as “A Certain Force in an Uncertain World.”

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This story by Capt. Angelica White entitled “26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Completes AMX” was first published on May 4, 2023 by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Story by Maj. Mathhew Finnerty, MARSOC.

The Cognitive Raider – a foundational concept established with the development and publication of Marine Special Operations Forces 2030 – encompasses the requirement to develop qualities of intellect, judgement, creativity, and teamwork in future Marine Raiders while maintaining the determination and endurance which serve as hallmarks of current success. MARSOF 2030 identified four innovation pathways including the Cognitive Raider, which applies both to the individual and the collective capabilities of the team. It also serves as a challenging imperative as thinking Marine Raiders provide the foundation for developing and sustaining a learning organization like Marine Forces Special Operations Command.

While MARSOC continues to examine, improve, and validate its training to provide high-performing MARSOF, the command also began an annual educational symposium to advance critical and creative thinking around topics vital to the future operating environment. The inaugural Cognitive Raider Symposium took place in 2019 when Marine Raiders partnered with the Naval Postgraduate School’s Defense Analysis Department to examine irregular warfare. Since the first symposium, MARSOC partnered with NPS on subsequent themes covering great power competition and enterprise-level agility as the yearly topic changed to align with current MARSOC, Special Operations Command, Marine Corps, and Department of Defense initiatives.

This year’s fifth iteration scheduled for June 22, 2023, explores What Winning Looks Like in integrated deterrence. The main symposium serves as a culmination of several events throughout the past year including education seminars led by the U.S. Agency for International Development, former Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller, and Army special forces veteran John Stryker Meyer. These quarterly events brought together historical perspectives, interagency partners, and distinguished visitors while ensuring Marine Raiders remain engaged throughout the year regardless of their ability to attend the main symposium.

“The ‘warm-start’ events facilitated a culture of learning throughout the year by exposing our Marine Raiders to experts, opinions, and concepts from across a spectrum of topics valuable to special operations and directly linked to What Winning Looks Like,” said the CRS ‘23 lead planner. “As an ambidextrous organization, accomplishing the mission today while experimenting and innovating for future success, MARSOC must focus on unique education opportunities to diversify our way of thinking and provide the most capable MARSOF in support of SOCOM and the joint force.”

What Winning Looks Like encompasses a holistic evaluation of future missions and requirements for MARSOF and how MARSOC positions itself to prepare its personnel to succeed in a rapidly evolving global security environment. For the command, this includes the further implementation of strategic shaping and reconnaissance and development of littoral irregular warfare and littoral special reconnaissance to ensure MARSOC remains relevant in littoral special operations. Given the urgency to modernize the force in anticipation of that future, What Winning Looks Like contains implications for short and long-term capabilities, organization, missions, and partnerships of significant interest to Marine Raiders and SOF overall.

To explore, evaluate, and innovate with regard to MARSOC’s posture to win now and in the future, CRS ‘23 will include education sessions, keynote speakers, and discussion panels focused on What Winning Looks Like. Structured to provide value for all MARSOC personnel, including service members, civilians, and contractors of all ranks, the symposium will prove valuable to participants from SOCOM and the Marine Corps as well.

“Marine Raiders, and our partners across the SOCOM enterprise, will leave CRS ‘23 with a more robust understanding of MARSOC’s contributions to winning in the future as well as experiencing the opportunity to directly impact that future state,” said the lead planner. “Each year that we host this event, and the numerous events leading up to the symposium, ensures that our people foster a creative and critical-thinking mindset while expanding the aperture of knowledge at the lowest levels.”

In addition, the symposium will take time to recognize the winners of the Cognitive Raider essay contest which asks authors to examine topics including how MARSOC contributes to winning as part of SOCOM, how organizational culture contributes to future success, and what initiatives best posture the command to address upcoming operational requirements. Past winners came from across the ranks of MARSOC and the symposium allowed authors to present transformational ideas to the larger force.

The Cognitive Raider concept and its supporting educational and training events such as CRS ‘23 directly contribute to the First SOF Truth – humans are more important than hardware. As MARSOC and SOF operate in a constantly evolving global security environment requiring urgent modernization across the force, the capabilities of a creative and strategic thinking individual provide an outsized impact on mission accomplishment and the success of the team.

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This story by Maj. Matthew Finnerty, Marine Forces, Special Operations Command, was first published on March 30, 2023 by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Photo: Marines with Hotel Company, 2nd Raider Battalion, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, carry a Zodiac Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat into the surf at Onslow Beach on base, March 28, 2017. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Corinne Zilnicki, U.S Coast Guard).

Story by Cpl. Henry Rodriguez II.

During its 17th anniversary on Feb. 24, 2023, Marine Forces Special Operations Command and the Marine Raiders that fill its ranks celebrated a history and legacy that extends beyond the most recent years as a service component under U.S. Special Operations Command.

Dating back to Feb. 16, 1942, with the establishment of 1st Raider Battalion in World War II, Marines consistently participated in and shaped special operations. 1st Raider Battalion, along with 2nd, 3rd and 4th Raider Battalions, proved essential in the Pacific theater providing a unique skillset and operational capability that differed from conventional Marine units at the time. Even with the success of the Marine Raiders during WWII, 4th Marines, 6th Marine Division assumed command of the four Raider battalions and aligned them to a more conventional mission in February 1944.

While Marines assisted or participated in special operations in various capacities throughout the next 60 years, the Marine Corps would not establish a dedicated special operations unit until after 9/11. Up until that time though, Marine Force Reconnaissance and the innovations of units such as Marine Corps Test Unit 1, which developed specialized tactics and techniques including employment concepts for relatively new rotary-wing aviation, carried on the legacy of the Marine Raiders.

Once the Global War on Terrorism began, then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld directed the creation of a Marine Corps component in SOCOM. This began with Detachment One, a pilot program made up of predominately Force Reconnaissance Marines and support staff who operated alongside Navy SEALs from Naval Special Warfare Group One.

Following Det One’s successes in Iraq, the Marine Corps officially activated MARSOC on Feb. 24, 2006. The 2,500-person command, pulled largely from Force Reconnaissance units on both coasts and deployed its first units within six months of its creation. MARSOC would later expand and redesignate its units as Marine Raiders in honor of its WWII heritage.

“The unconquerable spirit of our people builds on the foundation and legacy of Marines throughout our history,” said Maj. Gen. Matthew Trollinger, MARSOC Commander. “Our Marine Corps and Marine Raider heritage shapes the way we attack unique problems with novel and innovative approaches grounded in our ties to the littorals and expeditionary, amphibious operations.”

Moving forward while honoring the legacy of the Marine Raiders of the past, MARSOC remains focused on achieving success. As the 21st century battlefield rapidly evolves and the need for multi-domain special operations capabilities increases in an ever-changing global landscape, the command continues to adapt to meet new threats.

“Looking to the future,” stated Trollinger, “MARSOC will pursue strategic shaping and reconnaissance in the littorals; experiment, innovate, and evolve faster than adversary comprehension and adaptation; and create a more capable, professional, and effective force to fight and win around the globe if required.”

Prioritizing SSR in the littorals will ensure that MARSOC achieves success across the joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational environment. By developing
special operations elements to conduct activities to gain awareness of adversary intentions and capabilities, Marine Raiders will deter, disrupt, or increase current and future adversary risk.

At the core of MARSOC’s SSR focus stands capable Marine Raiders able to outmaneuver adversary forces by employing a range of skillsets. These skillsets, when employed by special operations officers, critical skills operators, special operations capability specialists, and the many servicemembers and civilians which comprise the command, exponentially increase unit performance as the demands of SSR transform MARSOC into a littoral special operations force of the future.

“Each and every person in MARSOC contributes to our Marine Raider legacy by bringing diverse experiences and skillsets that contribute to solving today’s challenges and tomorrow’s problems,” concluded Trollinger. “We remain focused on our role in shaping that future as a highly motivated team committed to providing high-performing Marine special operations forces to achieve global mission success.”

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This story by Cpl Henry Rodriguez II of Maraine Forces, Special Operations Command was first published on March 30, 2023 by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Photo: Marine Raiders rehearse advanced military free fall jumps at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 1, 2021. Military free fall sustainment training is necessary for a Marine special operations team to stay proficient and ready at all times for future operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ethan Green)

Courtesy story by DVIDS.

Sparks flew from the whetstone as the battle-ax that is the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) sharpened its lethal edge, conducting integrated training on the beachheads and jungle terrain of Okinawa in January.

As the MEU’s forward reconnaissance platoon advanced on their objective during the exercise, the opposite blade of the same formidable weapon – a platoon of Navy SEALs assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group (NSWG) 1 – glinted in shafts of sunlight piercing through the canopy.

They have no names. They have no faces. They move precisely and stealthily, leaving no leaf or branch out of place as they conduct critical reconnaissance the Marines can use for expeditionary advanced base staging and operations.

“A key aspect of our emerging naval concepts is winning the reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance battle at every point of the competition continuum,” said Col. Michael Nakonieczny, commanding officer of the 31st MEU. “As the 31st MEU competes with potential adversaries, we will partner with other elite units, such as these Navy SEALs, to continuously gain contact below the threshold of violence in order to understand their baseline activities. If competition transitions to armed conflict, elements of the MEU will then persist inside the weapons engagement zone and exploit our knowledge of the adversary’s baseline as we sense, make sense, and impose cost on the enemy via organic and joint fires.”

NSW assets folded into the preparations for a motorized raid exercise, one of several capabilities the MEU flexed from the decks of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 ships comprising the America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

“Our ability to rapidly assemble our formidable team of Sailors, Marines, ships, aircraft and landing craft on short notice is what makes us the Indo-Pacific region’s premier crisis response force,” said Capt. Greg Baker, PHIBRON 11 Commodore. “We train year-round and recertify regularly to ensure we’re ready to fight tonight – to answer the call not only for U.S. interests but for those of our regional allies and partners.”

Combined with a simulated expeditionary strike from the wings of F-35B Lightning II aircraft embarked aboard USS America (LHA 6), the motorized raid paved the way for a follow-on helicopter raid, amphibious assault, and boarding exercise.

“Even after years of land-based missions, NSW has not forgotten its maritime roots and we are taking the lessons learned – the way we mission plan, rehearse and integrate with the joint force – on the sea, into the littorals and at the shore to support the fleet and joint force for strategic competition,” said U.S. Navy Capt. David Abernathy, commodore of NSWG-1. “This integrated training opportunity with the 31st MEU prepares us to gain, maintain, and extend access in contested environments.”

From the air, SEALs fast-roped out of an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter onto the immense flight deck of PHIBRON 11’s newest player: USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5), a Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base. During the visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercise, NSW assets and the 31st MEU’s maritime raid force searched Miguel Keith for simulated enemies and illicit cargo, which ensures the ship is safe and seaworthy to turn over to partner-nation authorities.

“Miguel Keith started off as a USNS – it was built to commercial standards – so the fact that it has a high freeboard, the fact that it looks like a commercial vessel, are absolutely germane,” said Baker. “Because the vessel is so large, it lends credence to the use of Miguel Keith as a training and target platform.”

“Through this training we demonstrated the interoperability of naval and special operations forces that are postured and prepared to achieve their objectives in the maritime domain across the competition continuum,” said Nakonieczny. “Together, Navy Special Warfare and the 31st MEU will continue to combine the complementary capabilities of our unique forces to ensure stability and, if need be, persist, fight, and win throughout the INDOPACOM region.”

The 31st MEU and PHIBRON 11 are the only continuously forward-deployed MEU-ARG team.

Based in Okinawa, the 31st MEU consists of a command element, as well as ground, air and logistics combat elements. Its air combat element, Marine Medium Titlrotor Squadron (VMM) 265, is reinforced by a detachment of F-35B Lightning II aircraft from the Iwakuni, Japan-based Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121.

Amphibious Squadron 11 is permanently embarked aboard USS America in Sasebo, Japan. The America Amphibious Ready group includes USS Green Bay (LPD 20), USS Ashland (LSD 48), and Miguel Keith. Green Bay and Ashland embark landing craft, utility (LCU) and landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) from Naval Beach Unit (NBU) 7.

Together, the 31st MEU and the ships of PHIBRON 11 are operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Story: The article was originally published by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service on January 31, 2022. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Photo: U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Alex Story with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), patrols through the jungle on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 29, 2022. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Manuel Alvarado)

Marine Raiders recently completed a series of pre-deployment training exercises in Tennessee in the spring of 2021. The RAVEN exercises are used by Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) to train and evaluate Marine Special Operations Companies (MSOC) and Marine Special Operations Teams (MSOT). The exercises present the Marine Raider units the opportunity to prove their proficiency in a large number of skill sets that may be employed during future deployments.

The Exercise RAVEN training is conducted every spring and fall at various locations throughout the United States. Usually they are conducted in the Kentucky-Tennessee or the Gulf Coast regions. Typically the spring and fall events each have 3 cycles, for a total of six RAVEN exercises a year. Each cycle is about ten days long – putting one Marine Special Operations Company and its Marine Special Operations Teams through the training. There are times that a battalion-sized unit plays in the exercise – once in the spring and once in the fall. These battalion-sized units usually are a MARSOC battalion or Army Special Forces battalion. These battalions are in the role of a higher headquarters with command and control (C2) of the MSOC and some additional notional SOF units and many times are undergoing predeployment training as well. When a SOF battalion is not physically present for the exercise then a notional higher headquarters is stood up for C2 of the MSOC. From time to time other SOF units will also participate in the exercise – such as a Special Forces operational detachment.

In addition to the MSOC and MSOTs, the exercises have supporting and enabling units and individuals participating. Marines from various units of the Fleet Marine Force participate in the training. For one of the exercises conducted this spring Marines with Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion were in a supporting role. The Reconnaissance Marines provided persistent near real-time ground reconnaissance and battlespace shaping capability utilizing various insertion and extraction techniques to include military freefall parachuting. 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment also supported the RAVEN exercise – some playing the role of partner-nation forces.

Photo: U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment (3/2), 2d Marine Division, and Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), board a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook as a part of Exercise Raven 2-21 in Nashville, Tenn., May 21, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick King)

In one training cycle this past spring U.S. Army Special Forces provided a contingent that acted as peer-to-peer competition. The SF element was gathering intelligence on the Marine Raiders and attempting to disrupt the MSOC’s operations. The Special Forces unit employed surveillance, counter surveillance, and electronic warfare tactics as well as other special forces operational tactics and techniques.

The RAVEN exercise has a number of vignettes that cover a broad range of operations – to include interoperability with partner nation forces, interagency coordination, and joint operations. The scenario of the exercise places the Marine Raiders on a long deployment in a notional country, working with a partner nation force. The MSOC and MSOTs are presented with a number of situations that require intelligence gathering, information operations, training host-nations forces, direct action, raids, reconnaissance, and interagency coordination. The fully-enabled MSOTs are able to exercise almost all of their special operations capabilities during the exercise. Some of the enablers working with the MSOC and MSOTs include intelligence specialists, canine teams, and explosive ordnance technicians. The exercise is supported by other military units to include aviation assets, drones, and more.

The RAVEN exercise was started in 2012 and has become increasingly complex over the past several years. The exercise is typically the last in a series of training evolutions in a six-month long training cycle that a Marine Raider company will execute to prepare for an overseas deployment. The exercise is supported by other Marine Corps units as well as a robust Exercise Control Group and mentor-evaluators.

Photo: U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment (3/2), 2d Marine Division, provide security during Exercise Raven 2-21 in Nashville, Tenn., May 22, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick King)

Before assignment to a Raider unit Marines must successfully complete the MARSOC assessment and selection course. They then attend a 7-month long Individual Training Course (ITC) with 4 phases: basic skills, small unit tactics, close quarter battle, and irregular warfare. The ITC culminates with “Operation Derna Bridge” which requires the students to use all the skills mastered throughout the course. A video produced for MARSOC (2012, 4 mins) provides a brief introduction to the training and mission of the operators of the Marine Raider units.

After graduating from ITC the Marines are designated Critical Skills Operators or Special Operations Officers. They are capable of executing complex, distributed operations in uncertain environments. The Marine Raider companies are enabled by support Marines who attend advanced training and schools that prepare them to serve as Special Operations Capability Specialists or SOCS.

MARSOC recently celebrated its 15th anniversary in February 2021. At that time the Marine Corps combined several specialized units to establish MARSOC. The establishment of MARSOC is discussed in a video by the Global SOF Foundation.

Exercise RAVEN is a key training event that tests the Marine Special Operations Company and Marine Special Operations Teams in their level of proficiency to accomplish their mission. The exercise has evolved over the past few years in light of the shift in focus of the U.S. military from counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations to ‘great power competition’. The exercise prepares units that are deploying in support of Theater Special Operations Commands and Combined Joint Special Operations Task Forces across the globe.

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Top Photo: U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Jeffrey Profitt Jr., a rifleman, and Lance Cpl. Ethan Sheffey, a mortarman, both with 3rd Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment (3/2), 2d Marine Division, patrol through technical terrain during Exercise Raven in Nashville, Tenn., May 29, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick King)

References: Some of the information in this article came from “Full Spectrum: Marine Raiders Certified for Deployment Through RAVEN Exercise”, by Cpl. Brennan Priest, Marine Forces Command, 23 June 2021. Additional information acquired through DoD media outlets and other open source media platforms.

Video: Watch Full Spectrum: Marine Raiders Certified for Deployment Through RAVEN Exercise. Video produced by MARSOC, June 28, 2021, 3 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CZ0kx0vngk

Curated news, analysis, and commentary about special operations, national security, and conflicts around the world. Afghanistan heading south, ASD SO/LIC, oversight of SOF, celebrating Father’s Day, Danish SOF, Ukrainian SOF, USAF SR Airmen, diversity in SOF, international SOF, SFABs in Indo-Pacific, and more.

SOF News

Oversight of SOF. David Barno and Nora Bensahel argue that civilian oversight of special operations forces is best done by the Secretary of the Army. “Fixing Oversight of Special Operations Forces”, War on the Rocks, June 15, 2021.

SOF, Generals, and Technology. Special operators will need to be cyber-capable or risk being irrelevant. U.S. Special Operations Command Chief Information Officer Dr. Lisa Costa said that even high-ranking officers in SOF need to be ‘upskilling and reskilling’ to remain relevant. “Even generals must learn new skills in tech-dominated special operations future”, Marine Corps Times, June 17, 2021.

USAF SOWTs are now Special Reconnaissance Airmen. The Air Force has revamped its old Special Operations Weather Teams into the new Special Reconnaissance career field. The 352nd Special Warfare Training Squadron at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina is now training the SR airmen in land navigation, communications, small-unit tactics, use of drones, intelligence gathering, and other critical tasks. “Air Force Special Operations Job Transformation Takes Big Step Forward”, Military.com, June 17, 2021.

Combat Diver Competition. An event that pitted combat dive teams from the 3rd and 7th Special Forces Groups against each other has concluded. The events included an Army Physical Fitness Test, academic exam, maritime stress tests, long surface swim, ruck march, and an open and closed-circuit dive. “This Year’s Best Combat Diver Competition Was the Toughest Yet”, SOFREP, June 15, 2021.

Elite US Commandos Seeking Diversity. The Army’s Green Berets and Navy’s SEALs are conducting a greater effort to recruit a more diverse force. The US special operations forces tend to be less diverse than the military as a whole. “US military’s elite commando forces look to expand diversity”, Associated Press, June 15, 2021.

USSOCOM Diversity Chief Reinstated. A US Special Operations Command official leading the commands’ diversity and inclusion programs has been reinstated following an investigation into his social media posts. Richard Torres-Estrada posted a meme in June 2020 that compared then President Trump to Adolf Hitler. “SOCOM’s controversial head of diversity and inclusion is back in his job”, Air Force Times, June 17, 2021.

ARSOF Diversity. A webpage posted by the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Office of the Command Historian explains how Army Special Operations Forces have long included members of diverse backgrounds throughout its long history. Out of Many, One.
https://arsof-history.org/diversity/index.html

Combat Controller on Life and War. Dan Schilling, an Air Force combat controller turned book author, is interviewed about his past (Mogadishu and other battles) and his current endeavors as a writer. At age 60 he still hikes up mountains. “Peace in the Clouds: How One of the World’s Deadliest Warriors Found His Zen”, Coffee of Die, June 20, 2021.

A CST Remembers Afghanistan. Jackie Munn was a member of a Cultural Support Team that worked with Special Forces in Afghanistan. She shares a short story about one mission. “Spilt Milk, Giggling Girls, and No Use Crying”, The War Horse, May 9, 2018.

Father – Son Parachute Jump. The command sergeant major of the 3rd Special Forces Group’s support battalion parachuted from a C-27 Spartan tactical transport on Fort Bragg last week. His son from the 82nd Airborne Division joined him. “Soldier Dad and Son Celebrate Father’s Day with Airborne Jump”, Military.com, June 20, 2021.

919th SOW – A Family Affair. Retired Master Sgt. Kenneth McDowell served with Air Force Special Operations Command for most of his career. His daughter is now assigned to AFSOC. “Daughter follows father’s footsteps to the 919th SOW”, 919thSOW, June 20, 2021.

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International SOF

Danish SOF. The missions of a special operations unit of Denmark includes unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, direct action, and counterterrorism. During the Cold War Denmark decided to create a special unit with the mission of long-range reconnaissance. During the years that followed the Cold War the unit was transformed into a SOF unit. “Danish Special Forces | The Jaeger Corps AKA the Huntsmen Corps”, by Steve Balestrieri, SOFREP, June 20, 2021.

Ukrainian Special Forces. The newest branch of Ukraine’s Armed Forces – the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (UASOF) – is continuing their development. However, the UASOF still has some obstacles that will prevent it from attaining a superior state of combat readiness. The 2,000 person unit requires advanced training and very technical equipment, but financing is a big problem. “Growing Pains in the Ukrainian Special Forces”, Eurasia Daily Monitor, The Jamestown Foundation, by Yuri Lapaiev, June 16, 2021.

Italian Navy Selects Special Diving Operations Craft. The SDO-SuRS will have the ability to support submarine rescue and special forces units. (Defense World, Jun 15, 2021).

SOF History

10th Special Forces Group Activation. On June 19, 1952 the 10th SFG was activated on Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The group grew to 1,700 personnel within a year. In September 1953, 782 members deployed to Germany, 99 to Korea, and the remainder stayed at FBNC. The Fort Bragg element was re-designated the 77th SFG.

Task Force Viking in Northern Iraq (2003). The 10th Special Forces Group and a small team of CIA paramilitary officers opened up a second front in northern Iraq during the 2003 invasion. The Green Berets and intelligence officers linked up with the Peshmerga in Kurdistan. Read more in “How special-ops units used ‘old-school commando stuff’ behind enemy lines to keep Saddam’s forces distracted”, Business Insider, June 15, 2021.

“Father of Naval Special Warfare”. Phil H. Bucklew served as a Navy frogman during World War II. He would retire from the Navy in 1969. “The Father of Naval Special Warfare Almost Changed the History of the Vietnam War”, Military.com, June 2021.

Vietnam HALO Combat Jumps. In the late 1950s members of the 10th Special Forces Group created the Trojan Parachute Club which led the way to developing the techniques of night, combat equipment parachute jumps from high altitudes. These techniques would later be used by small teams of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG) to infiltrate behind enemy lines utilizing high altitude low opening techniques. “The Trojan Parachute Club Were the Army’s First Combat HALO Jumpers”, Coffee or Die Magazine, June 17, 2021.

SF and CN Missions on Mexican Border. In the 1990s there were not a lot of wars being fought. The Cold War was over and the Global War on Terror had yet to begin. Some Special Forces units got involved in counternarcotic missions along the southern border. “How Green Berets ran counter-narcotics ops on the Mexican border”, Audacy.com, May 3, 2021.

Weapons of the OSS. The Office of Strategic Services was a joint intelligence and special operations agency established during World War II. It was a precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency and U.S. Army Special Forces. The secret organization developed some intriguing weapons. “The Strangest Covert Weapons American Spies Carried in WWII”, SANDBOXX, June 15, 2021.

First Muslim Green Beret. When Changiz Lahidji joined the Iranian special forces Reza Pahlavi was still the Shah of Iran. But he soon left the Iranian military and moved to California. In 1978 he joined the U.S. Army and by 1979 was a fully qualified Special Forces NCO. He would soon be back in Iran – this time in support of Operation Eagle Claw. The mission went badly and he was forced to smuggle himself out aboard a fishing boat. “The first Muslim Green Beret was also in Iran’s Special Forces”, We Are the Mighty, June 17, 2021.

National Security and Commentary

USMC and SOF. DoD’s strategic guidance (with a focus on the Indo-Pacific) and China’s rising global status and ambitions has triggered the service components to relook at their structure and doctrine. This is true of the United States Marine Corps – which has an opportunity to optimize USMC – SOF teaming through increased integration, interdependence, interoperability, and deconfliction (I3D). “Marine Corps and Special Operations Forces Teaming for Great Power Competition”, by Major Michael Masters, Small Wars Journal, June 17, 2021.

US SOF in Estonia. The United States Special Operations Forces have increased their presence in Eastern Europe. Senior US SOF officers are serving at Estonia Defense Forces headquarters. “US Special Forces operating in Estonia at higher level than ever before”, ERR News, June 18, 2021.

Advisory Teams in the Pacific. Small teams of US Army soldiers have been deploying across the Indo-Pacific on missions similar to those done by Special Forces. The twelve-man advisory teams of the Security Force Assistance Brigades are deploying to numerous countries on long-term deployments. (Editorial Note: A number of misrepresentations are made in this article . . . someone with an SF background will be quick to note them) “Rank-and-file soldiers begin Special Forces-style security missions across Indo-Pacific”, Stars and Stripes, June 17, 2021.

Ice Breakers Needed. Currently the US is lacking in ice breakers that can provide for the needs of the US in the Arctic region. The US has two ice breakers – one currently undergoing maintenance and another that has surpassed its service life. Russia has 40 ice breakers. The US needs to expand its fleet of ice breakers – and quickly. “U.S. Needs Icebreakers to Keep Up With China and Russia in the Arctic”, The Heritage Foundation, June 18, 2021.

Things Are Heading South in Afghanistan. As the withdrawal of U.S. and international forces from Afghanistan continues reports of significant Taliban victories in rural areas of Afghanistan are in the news. Over 30 district centers have fallen to the Taliban since May 1, 2021. The Taliban have made some progress in taking key areas in Kunduz and Faryab provinces. More than 20 Afghan commandos were killed while deployed to recapture a district seized by the Taliban in Faryab province. The commandos have been the offensive punch for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces – however they have been recently suffering big losses attempting to stem the Taliban offensive. The insurgent gains are likely a combination of the Taliban offensive as well as government security forces consolidating their forces into more defensible positions.

NATO has asked Qatar to host training for Afghan commandos. The Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior have been replaced by President Ghani. The CENTCOM commander says that the US won’t use airstrikes to support Afghan forces after the withdrawal. The US Embassy in Kabul is in a ‘lockdown’ due to an outbreak of COVID. In an interview with the Associated Press former Afghan President Hamid Karzai said that the international community failed in their 20-year attempt to end extremism and bring stability to Afghanistan. Lacking in the article is any acknowledgement of his role in the Afghan disaster while serving as the Afghan president for 13 years. NATO had scheduled a flag lowering ceremony in Kabul for Friday, June 18th to mark the departure of the US and NATO forces from Afghanistan. The event was cancelled just hours before the scheduled time due to confusion over what the ceremony would signify. Some thorny issues remain to be solved to include the safety of thousands of Afghan interpreters who aided the U.S. and NATO forces and the contractor support that keep the Afghan Air Force aircraft in the air.

Sending SOF Back to Somalia? Security conditions in Somalia have deteriorated since the Trump administration pulled 700 U.S. service members from that country in January 2021. Now it appears that AFRICOM is looking at re-introducing troops into Somalia to train indigenous forces. “Proposal Calls for Sending Special Operations Forces Back to Somalia, Report Says”, Military.com, June 16, 2021.

Upcoming Events

June 23, 2021. Virtual Event
SOF Stories Live! – MARSOC Part 2
Global SOF Foundation

July 11, 2021. Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts
11th Annual Blackbeard’s Motorcycle Ride
Matthew Pucino Memorial Foundation

July 13-16, 2021
Fort Bragg VA Disability Claims and Benefits Seminar
Green Beret Foundation

July 16, 2021. Newport, Kentucky
Riverboating for Berets
Green Beret Foundation

Books, Pubs, and Reports

Book Review – North Korea in a Nutshell: A Contemporary Overview. David Maxwell, former SF officer and commentator on all things North Korea, provides a review of a new book on that is of value to the policy maker, strategist, military planner, and to the public. “An Area Study: North Korea in a Nutshell”, Small Wars Journal, June 19, 2021.

New Army Training Field Manual. The Army has updated FM 7-0 Training. The manual describes how the Army trains its people to compete, fight, and win. There are chapters on training management, prioritizing training, planning and preparation, execution, and evaluation and assessment. There are eleven appendices on training guidance, task crosswalk, individual training, meetings, exercises, live-fire, lane training, AARs, and more. PDF, 116 pages.
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN32648-FM_7-0-000-WEB-1.pdf

Al Qaeda Background Brief. The Congressional Research Service has posted an update to Al Qaeda: Background, Current Status, and U.S. Policy. This ‘In Focus’ brief, published on June 14, 2021, is a PDF and is two pages long.
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11854

Podcasts, Videos, and Movies

Podcast – The US and Influence Operations. Michael K. Nagata and Dr. Anthony Cordesman discuss the drastic of loss of global influence by the United States. Being able to project influence is an important component of strategic power and the U.S. has fallen behind in this competition. “American Decline: Losing the Campaign for Influence”, The Irregular Warfare Podcast, Modern War Institute at West Point, June 18, 2021, 42 minutes.
https://mwi.usma.edu/american-decline-losing-the-campaign-for-influence/

Video – Iraq’s CT Unit. Watch a video of Iraqi counter-terror teams fighting ISIS – both in training and on actual missions. The CT forces are the countries premier military unites. PBS News Hour, June 17, 2021, 11 minutes.

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Photo: Marine Corps Cpl. Francesco Prestia of the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion participates in a water navigation course during Exercise Caribbean Coastal Warrior at Savaneta Kamp, Aruba, June 10, 2021. The exercise is designed to increase global interoperability and expand knowledge and proficiency while operating in littoral and coastal regions. Photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Reyes.

Watch a video that provides an interesting conversation and discussion about the birth of MARSOC in 2006. The United States Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is a component of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) that comprises the Marine Corps’ contribution to SOCOM. Its core capabilities are direct action, special reconnaissance, and foreign internal defense. The Global SOF Foundation, as part of its SOF Stories: Live! presents this video on its YouTube channel. The video event was streamed live on February 17, 2021.

This event was hosted by CMSgt (Ret) Randy Anderson and moderated by CSM (Ret) Rick Lamb of the Global SOF Foundation. The guests were former Marines who played a key role in the formation of MARSOC. Col (Ret) Giles Kyser and MGySgt (Ret) Joseph Settelen go back into their history and share their personal insights into how MARSOC began. They discuss the politics, challenges, and opportunities associated with the formation of MARSOC and inclusion as part of SOCOM.

The Birth of MARSOC (Part I)
Global SOF Foundation
February 17, 2021, one-hour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TF0nmiWRHI

A new book by Andrew Milburn is a war memoir that covers a 31-year long journey in the Marine Corps. It is the story of a Marine who begins his career as an infantry officer with a deployment to Mogadishu, Somalia and ends it as a senior officer in special operations. Much of the book is about the last two decades of fighting in the Global War on Terror.

Milburn recounts his time on deployments to Somalia, Colombia, Ethiopia, Liberia, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, and a few other places. During his career as a Marine, he commanded at the platoon, company, battalion, regiment, and Special Operations Joint Task Force levels. He retired in 2019 as the Chief of Staff of Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT).

His story isn’t limited to the war zone – it also provides insight into the training and hard work conducted by members of the military when stateside. He also informs us on the sacrifices and hardships that families endure during a military career.

The book provides a look at Marine Corps culture and the experience of a Marine’s career on the battlefield and elsewhere. With three decades in uniform, Milburn has a lot to share. Much of the book’s action takes place in Iraq – where Milburn experienced some significant combat time. His detailed accounts of the battles he and his fellow Marines fought in are riveting. In addition, he gives the reader some insight into the formation and growth of Marine Forces Special Operations Command or MARSOC.

Milburn shares his perspective on nation-building in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places around the world. He addresses the leadership failure of senior military commanders and the elite political class that has guided our political and military strategy over the past two decades. Or, perhaps, the lack of a coherent overarching strategy.

This is a good book to learn about (or refresh your memory) about the Marine Corps, MARSOC, the decades-long fight against terrorism, and life in the military. By the end of the book you will have an appreciation of the hardship of military life for the service members and their families, be exposed to a narrative about the harsh reality of combat, and ponder the need for politicians and senior military officers to be more rigorous in the debate about the purpose of future wars.

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When The Tempest Gathers: From Mogadishu to the Fight Against ISIS, A Marine Special Operations Commander at War, by Andrew Milburn, published by Pen & Sword, 2020. Available at Amazon.com.

Marine Forces Special Operations Command announced the death of a Marine Raider, SGT Wolfgang Weninger, from an airborne training accident at Fort Benning, Georgia on June 16, 2020. He was attending the U.S. Army’s Basic Airborne Course and suffered fatal injuries during a parachute jump.

Sergeant Weninger was a critical skills operator assigned to the Marine Raider Training Center. He reported to MARSOC in January 2019 as a student and completed the MARSOC Individual Training Course in October 2019, earning the Marine Special Operator Insignia and the 0372 Critical Skills Operator MOS.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps in May of 2015, and completed recruit training as the Honor Graduate for Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD Parris Island. He went on to serve as an armory custodian with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, from 2015 to 2018.

“Wolf was exactly what we look for when training students to become Marine Raiders. He was a consistent top performer, a natural leader, he never complained, and was always there to pick up his team during challenging events. He was an avid and talented hockey player, and could often be found on the ice, even after a grueling and exhausting week of training. We were proud and honored to have him join this formation and become a part of the Marine Raider legacy. We extend our sincere condolences to his family at this time.”

Statement released by the instructor cadre for ITC Class 19-1, June 18, 2020

Born and raised in Auburn, Ohio, Weninger graduated from Kenston High School. He was 28 years old. He was active in high school sports. He would go on to compete at the college level in football. He attended the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and then later Valparaiiso University in Indiana. At age 23 he joined the Marine Corps.

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More articles on SGT Wolfgang Weninger:

“US Marine killed in parachute jump found purpose in service”, by James Laporta, Associated Press, June 19, 2020.

“Corps identifies Marine Raider killed in airborne training accident”, Marine Corps Times, June 18, 2020.

Photo: Provided by MARSOC.