Mighty MEU Mega Thread (MMMT)

[Alpha_Echo_606]

11th MEU

090730-N-5148B-109 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 30, 2009) Marines assigned to the Ground Combat Element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU), embarked aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), fast rope out of an Ch-46E Sea Knight helicopter onto the deck of the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) during a visit, board, search and seizure exercise. Rushmore is part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and is underway conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in preparation for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean later this year. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sarah E. Bitter/Released)

 

[Feet Wet]

Isn't the West Coast MEU using the four bladed Hueys? Any photos of those from anyone?

 

[Feet Wet]

11th MEU

090730-N-5148B-109 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 30, 2009) Marines assigned to the Ground Combat Element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU), embarked aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), fast rope out of an Ch-46E Sea Knight helicopter onto the deck of the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) during a visit, board, search and seizure exercise. Rushmore is part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and is underway conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in preparation for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean later this year. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sarah E. Bitter/Released)

Love staying proficient in fast rope evolutions in VBSS. A skill set we use for real about every 75 years.

 

[HeyJoe]

Heavy Iron, USMC and USN style

090812-N-0120A-072 SEA OF JAPAN (Aug. 12, 2009) A CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 262 takes off from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). HMM-262 is debarking Essex to return to the U.S. as a part of their scheduled overseas rotation (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark R. Alvarez/Released)

 

[scoolbubba]

Probably a dumb question, but why the difference between the side fuel tanks on the USMC 53s and the tumor on Navy ones? Is it a fuel tank, or something involved in the towing of sleds?

 

[HeyJoe]

Probably a dumb question, but why the difference between the side fuel tanks on the USMC 53s and the tumor on Navy ones? Is it a fuel tank, or something involved in the towing of sleds?

It's gas, lots of gas, an insane amount of gas for a helo.

 

[Cron]

AL-JAZIRAH DESERT, Iraq (March 12, 2008) – Several MV-22 Osprey’s unload Marines from 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment and components of Iraqi Security Forces, during a simultaneous three-village assault here today. The assault was conducted to check the villages for enemy activity and bring a coalition presence to the area. Several fixed and rotary-wing assets assigned to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), were tasked with providing tactical insert of ground forces and close-air support throughout the duration of the operation. (United States Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Stevens)

MUDAYSIS, Iraq (September 12, 2008)-- Three CH-46E Sea Knights land here Sept. 12 to refuel during a reconnaissance mission in the area Sept. 12. Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 turned an abandoned Iraqi air base into a forward arming and refueling point in just more than two days. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. George J. Papastrat)


That's a really colorful roundel on that Phrog!

 

[phrogpilot73]

That's a really colorful roundel on that Phrog!

It's HMM-364, the Purple Foxes. They have a very proud and storied history.

Purple Foxes Give A Shit!

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

Marines with Reconnaissance Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, cast themselves from of a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter while practicing methods of insertion off the coast of Hawaii Sept. 18. The Marines were in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Sept. 17-22 during final training before deploying with the 11th MEU Sept. 24. (Sgt. Scott Biscuiti)

 

[HeyJoe]

That's a really colorful roundel on that Phrog!

That would be "Swifty", not a "roundel". A roundel is the term for national markings like:

It's HMM-364, the Purple Foxes. They have a very proud and storied history.

Purple Foxes Give A Shit!

More on the Purple Foxes and their Vietnam legacy.

 

[phrogdriver]

I thought this was the "Mighty MEU Mega Thread," HJ! Those V-22s aren't with a MEU.

I got your MEU right here!

Unfortunately, I can't Photobucket from the ship!

 

[Cron]

That would be "Swifty", not a "roundel".

I was referring to this:

I've never seen anything but "subdued" roundels on Marine helos up until that point.

 

[HeyJoe]

I was referring to this:

I've never seen anything but "subdued" roundels on Marine helos up until that point.

Then I misunderstood your comment. 00 is traditionally the group (or Air Wing in Navy terms) commander's ride and depending on squadron/group desires may feature enhanced markings for airshow/morale purposes.

As to calling the national insignia a roundel, I can see that, but US went from a pure "roundel" to the "star and bars" until we definitized it coincident with creation of the Air Force prior to Korean War with a red stripe.

US Roundels

 

[HeyJoe]

I thought this was the "Mighty MEU Mega Thread," HJ! Those V-22s aren't with a MEU.

I got your MEU right here!

Unfortunately, I can't Photobucket from the ship!

Ahem, that was Cron who posted shorebased MV-22

Back to MEU stuff

090924-N-8283S-204 SAN DIEGO (Sept. 24, 2009) Tug boats guide the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as she turns into San Diego Bay. Bonhomme Richard and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit departed on a regularly scheduled western Pacific deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John J. Siller/Released)

 

[KBayDog]

I thought this was the "Mighty MEU Mega Thread," HJ! Those V-22s aren't with a MEU.

Neither was the Give a Shit bird, but it was a nice pic.

Then again, the Ugly Angels bird isn't technically with the 11th MEU, but that's another story...