Registered: Sep 2000
Location: The Bottom of the Toyem Pole
Posts: 9454

My brother is a Marine Corporal, on a 6 month float aboard the USS Dubuque when the attacks occured. I did a bit of research and discovered that the Dubuque is an attack ship with amphibous assault capabilities. I knew he was in the Vinson group.

When he got into the Corp, he tested into a group that specializes in support for Delta Force, the Marine elite units. He enjoys taht assignment as it involves a lot more training with more diverse activities. I know he got to shoot about 5 times as much ordinance in practice and did a lot of Zodiac training.

Here is a bit of info my mom forwarded to me from a recent CNN new release. Looks like that Zodiaz training might come in handy. I'm proud of my brother, and all of our women and men in uniform. But I do admit I'm glad that Afghanistan doesn't have a coast.



=================================
Bush on Monday mentioned the growing U.S. naval firepower converging on the
region near Afghanistan.

''On the military front we're making progress,'' Bush said in remarks at the
Federal Emergency Management Agency. ''We've deployed 29,000 military
personnel in two carrier battle groups as well as an Amphibious Ready Group
and several hundred military aircraft.''

An Amphibious Ready Group is a self-contained contingent of 2,100 Marines
aboard Navy ships. The core of the Marine group with the Vinson is the 15th
Marine Expeditionary Unit.

=====================================

I just wanted to share. Thanks for listening.

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Registered: Apr 2001
Location:
Posts: 16728

We are proud of your brother too.
I hope he returns home unhurt and victorious.

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Registered: Jul 2001
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 4691

USS Dubuque is an amphibious transport dock, meaning she supports amphibious assaults by launching LCACs (hovercraft) and helicopters. She is somewhat similar to newer "gator frieghters" (as such ships which carry Marines are called) such as the USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship that directly assaults hostile shores with landing forces, helicopters, and AV-8B Harrier jump-jets.

This particular Austin-class capital ship is also configured as a command ship, a "death star," with all kinds of electronic warfare and 3C (command, control, and communications) capabilities. In essence she is well-suited for coordinating joint Marine/Delta Force missions. It sounds as if your brother is probably part of a Force Recon outfit, sort of an elite within an elite.

Maybe this doesn't mean anything to you, and maybe it does...sometimes it helps just to know...

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Bangor, ME
Posts: 10173

he is elite

you should be proud

even if he is a jarhead

just kiddin

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location: The Bottom of the Toyem Pole
Posts: 9454

squee, that is great information. I was hoping you would see this thread.

I always get confused: Is the Marine elite force Delta Force or Force Recon or what? I know the SEALs and Green Berets are the Navy and Army special forces, but the Marine special forces don't get so much press, even though I think they are probably the toughest of the bunch. I know my brother isn't in the elite elite corps, but he was stoked to be in the group that he is in. He didn't want to make a lifetime career out of it which influenced his decision to not try for Force Recon or Delta Force. He likes his command now though.

Remember about a year ago when we lost 10 or so Marines when their chopper got tangled in a ship's cargo net during training and crashed into the sea? Those were men from my brother's unit. He had done that exact same exercise 2 days beforehand.

I appreciate any more info you have on anything you find relevant. I'm sure you've mentioned it countless times, but what arm of the forces are you in and what do you do?

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 5526

http://www.specialforces.net/

the chart at the bottom says:

US Military Special Operations Units:
MARINES:
Force Recon

US Military Special Operations (Counter Terrorism):
Delta Force and Seal Team 6

may he be back home soon

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Registered: May 2001
Location:
Posts: 2701

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nutrimentia
My brother is a Marine Corporal, on a 6 month float aboard the USS Dubuque when the attacks occured. I did a bit of research and discovered that the Dubuque is an attack ship with amphibous assault capabilities. I knew he was in the Vinson group.

When he got into the Corp, he tested into a group that specializes in support for Delta Force, the Marine elite units. He enjoys taht assignment as it involves a lot more training with more diverse activities. I know he got to shoot about 5 times as much ordinance in practice and did a lot of Zodiac training.

Here is a bit of info my mom forwarded to me from a recent CNN new release. Looks like that Zodiaz training might come in handy. I'm proud of my brother, and all of our women and men in uniform. But I do admit I'm glad that Afghanistan doesn't have a coast.



=================================
Bush on Monday mentioned the growing U.S. naval firepower converging on the
region near Afghanistan.

''On the military front we're making progress,'' Bush said in remarks at the
Federal Emergency Management Agency. ''We've deployed 29,000 military
personnel in two carrier battle groups as well as an Amphibious Ready Group
and several hundred military aircraft.''

An Amphibious Ready Group is a self-contained contingent of 2,100 Marines
aboard Navy ships. The core of the Marine group with the Vinson is the 15th
Marine Expeditionary Unit.

=====================================

I just wanted to share. Thanks for listening.

---

Hoorah to your bro, Nute.

Hes in

Force Recon?
Scount/Sniper?
FAST?
MEU-SOC? (Marine Epeditionary Unit - Special Operations Capable)

Last edited by Deadpool on 10-05-2001 at 03:04 AM

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