Carrier_ A Guided Tour Of An Aircraft Carrier Part 25

One of the more interesting possibilities for JSOW is to use it as a resupply system for Special Forces units behind enemy lines. It could even be packed full of MRE ration packages, and used for humanitarian relief in "hot" combat zones.

64.

The USMC MEU (SOC) is a multi-purpose/capability unit based around a reinforced Marine battalion and medium-helicopter squadron. For more information on MEU (SOC)s and their operations, see my book Marine: A Guided Tour of a Marine Expeditionary Unit Marine: A Guided Tour of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (Berkley Books, 1996). (Berkley Books, 1996).

65.

There are more carrier groups in the Pacific because the U.S. still maintains one CVBG/CVW at j.a.panese bases. The remaining groups are based at the West Coast ports of San Diego, California; Alameda, California; Everett, Was.h.i.+ngton; and Bremerton, Was.h.i.+ngton.

66.

Given the historic unreliability of the United States in foreign affairs and alliances, very few nations are willing to risk the political fallout it takes to invite in U.S. forces. For example, because of the political and cultural risks, Saudi Arabia denied America access to bases during the 1997/98 Iraqi crisis.

67.

Currently, O-10 (Admiral and General) are the highest ranks allowed by Federal law. The O-11 rank is a rare honor, voted by Congress for special personnel and occasions. These are known as Admiral of the Fleet, and General of the Army/Air Force/Marine Corps. The last living recipient of this honor was General of the Army Omar Bradley.

68.

"CAG" is a term dating back to before World War II, when the air unit aboard a carrier was known as

69.

Much of this information comes from Combat Fleets of the World Combat Fleets of the World (A.D. Baker, III, U.S. Naval Inst.i.tute Press), which is the finest such volume in the world. If you want to know more, look it up in (A.D. Baker, III, U.S. Naval Inst.i.tute Press), which is the finest such volume in the world. If you want to know more, look it up in Combat Fleets. Combat Fleets.

70.

Despite their intended "low mix" status in the Cold War structure of the U.S. Navy, the FFG-7's have frequently been in the thick of maritime operations and actions. Two of them, the Stark Stark (FFG-31) and (FFG-31) and Samuel Samuel B. B. Roberts Roberts (FFG-58), were severely damaged by missiles and mines during operations in the Persian Gulf in the late 1980's, but survived to serve today. FFG-7's were later key a.s.sets in the maritime embargoes of Iraq, Bosnia, and Haiti, as well as in combat operations during Desert Storm. (FFG-58), were severely damaged by missiles and mines during operations in the Persian Gulf in the late 1980's, but survived to serve today. FFG-7's were later key a.s.sets in the maritime embargoes of Iraq, Bosnia, and Haiti, as well as in combat operations during Desert Storm.

71.

For more on the ARG, MEU (SOC), and their various components and missions, see my book Marine: A Guided Tour of a Marine Expeditionary Unit Marine: A Guided Tour of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (Berkley Books, 1995). (Berkley Books, 1995).

72.

In addition to USACOM, there are seven other regional CinCs. These include the Pacific Command (PACOM), Strategic Command (STRATCOM), Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Central Command (CENTCOM), Special Operations Command (SOCOM), s.p.a.ce Command (s.p.a.cECOM), European Command (EUCOM), and Transportation Command (TRANSCOM).

73.

Though there are literally dozens of such programs (ranging from staff-level exercises to war games involving tens of thousands of partic.i.p.ants), the best known are at the Army's National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, and at the Air Force's Operation Red Flag at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

74.

Most veterans of Desert Storm will tell you that the extensive force-on-force training prior to their deployment to the Persian Gulf was tougher than anything the Iraqis threw at them. This is hardly a surprise, since the Opposing Force units they trained against are usually the best-trained and motivated units in the U.S. military.

75.

This is the same group that I highlighted in my 1996 book Marine: A Guided Tour of a Marine Expeditionary Unit A Guided Tour of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (Berkley Books, 1996). 82 The (Berkley Books, 1996). 82 The GW, Norrnandy GW, Norrnandy (CG-64), (CG-64), South Carolina South Carolina (CGN-37), and (CGN-37), and Guam Guam were all scheduled either for deep overhaul or sc.r.a.pping at the end of the cruise in 1998. were all scheduled either for deep overhaul or sc.r.a.pping at the end of the cruise in 1998.

76.

This similar to the Red/Green Flag exercises conducted by the USAF at Nellis AFB to the south of Fallon. Although somewhat smaller than the Nellis exercises, there is a greater emphasis on live-fire and electronic-warfare issues.

77.

For a closer look at the outstanding JRTC program, see my book Airborne: A Guided Tour of an Airborne Task Force Airborne: A Guided Tour of an Airborne Task Force (Berkley Books, 1997). (Berkley Books, 1997).

78.

It was these kinds of "b.u.mping" incidents that caused the creation of the "Incidents at Sea" treaties between the United States, the Soviet Union/Russia, and a number of other nations.

79.

The GW GW group that went to the Gulf had two things in common with the group that went to the Gulf had two things in common with the Nimitz Nimitz CVBG. In addition to the carrier and logistics s.h.i.+p, both of the escort s.h.i.+ps were Aegis- and Tomahawk-capable, as was the submarine. In short, they took the s.h.i.+ps with the most firepower where they would be needed. CVBG. In addition to the carrier and logistics s.h.i.+p, both of the escort s.h.i.+ps were Aegis- and Tomahawk-capable, as was the submarine. In short, they took the s.h.i.+ps with the most firepower where they would be needed.