Marines (Usmc) Poised For More Philippine Tours

[Old55]

I've been told by someone who knows there are now more Marines over there full time and there will be more "activity's" in the future.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2012/04/marine-more-philippines-tours-040812/

[Jake]

I've been told by someone who knows there are now more Marines over there full time and there will be more "activity's" in the future.

http://www.marinecor...s-tours-040812/

As you may know, the US Marines are the "in you face, boots on the ground" contingency of the US Navy.

China and North Korea does not have a significant amphibious navy and therefore must rely on massive

missile and aerial bombardment from long distance. They don't care about "collateral damage".

I have some mixed feelings about extending or increasing the US military presence in the Philippines. It

only takes just one US marine, soldier or sailor to be held hostage or KIA to make the headlines, which

will scramble the political landscape of mutual military agreements. Can you imagine a video tape of a

captured Marine about to beheaded? Or a US military family permanent based in southern Mindanao

kidnapped for ransom. That will be the primary tactical advantage for any rebels to grab that opportunity.

I would rather see a continued efforts to assist the Philippine military using a small specialized force of

"operators" and their high tech toys. For once, I just wish that we could be the bad guys (bad ass) and

kill the rebels in their sleep. We know how to fight dirty using state of the art guerrilla tactics.

For future strategic location of US forces for the Asia and middle east conflicts, I would rather see more

permanent bases in the northern territory of Australia, like Darwin: http://www.telegraph...-Australia.html

Respectfully -- Jake

[Old55]

I was furious to learn sometimes our guys are in the field without ammunition only have AFP to provide security. Why do we not learn from the past?

[Jake]

I was furious to learn sometimes our guys are in the field without ammunition only have AFP to provide security. Why do we not learn from the past?

Politicians and arm chair admirals and generals need to get their heads out of their butts once and for all:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_Beirut_barracks_bombing: The Marine sentries at the gate were operating under rules of engagement which made it very difficult to respond quickly to the truck. Sentries were ordered to keep their weapons at condition four (no magazine inserted and no rounds in the chamber).

This would be the only direct order I would directly disobey. Political correctness equals unlawful orders to follow.

Lock and load -- Jake

[Mike S]

Jake .... before I moved here I had a very good friend who worked for the same outfit I did who had just retired from the corps about a year before we met .... his last tour of duty was in you guessed southern Mindanao ...... after some of the stuff we used to talk about I was assured I would never go there even for a visit ..... he was in charge of training the Pilipinos to maintain the helicopter gunships that they had down there ..... he told me he flat refused to fly in any one of the ships because of the poor maintenance practices and lack of proper certified parts to keep the birds in the air ..... he also said that most of the ships were not used but just sat around on the tarmac in disarray ......

He also spoke of the guys hardly ever going to town as the chance of being bombed was a real danger and yea they carried no ammo for their rifles or sidearms ...... one of his Staff Sargent's was killed with a bomb which was tied to a bike and loaded with nails in a can ..... my friend had been standing there talking to him when the bike pulled up .... there were a group of 6 marines and several Filipinos standing around in front of the store talking (the Filipinos of course armed with ammo .... the Americans were not) ..... the group broke up and headed in different directions ...... my friend headed into the store .... about 2 minutes later a big explosion went off ..... the Staff Sarge was killed outright and 2 others injured ...... I could tell more but it might tend to p*ss some people off as to how their counter parts reacted after the blast ......

He also told me how the Philippine Marine general in charge at the time hated the US Marines and some of the crap he used to do or have done to them ...... but that's another story ......

Edited May 14, 2012 by Mike S

[moparsquid]

There are us marines and us navy there as advissors and doing training , also there is rumors that the former cubi pt. and or Mactan afb is going to be utilized because pres Aquino asked pres Obama for mor us pressance coz of the chinese pressance in the spratley islands.

[Mike S]

Yup and as soon as the threat is over they will want to kick them back out ...... what a circus .....

Edited May 22, 2012 by Mike S

[Old55]

Anything is possible. I don't think the US will have a large base on Philippines again. Not that I know anything. :unsure:

The Filipino people don't want us there and I think we should respect that even if the government requests it.

[Higg-num]

I would post all my own thoughts BUT....I am afraid that my temper may very well get the best of me on this subject at present.

Get SOF / specialized 11 BRAVO's to train the validated & pro freedom P.I. MIlitary, ( Those that have been properly screened ) supply them with the latest tools with good pay & take them off the chain.

How do you " Win " the hearts and minds of the enemy........aim at the left side of their torso & work your way up to the head !

Edited May 25, 2012 by Higg-num

[Old55]

What you say sounds good and I know you mean well but I don't think its that simple. Philippines leaders and the Filipino people don't have the will to go for the kill.

Filipinos are divided geographically, culturally and by language they don't have united identity or a cohesive society. That's my observation and opinion, its not a criticism of Filipinos or Philippines its just the way I see it over there.

Do you think they are willing as a nation to come together and make real sacrifices to unify? I could be wrong for sure I am not an expert.

During WWII the Filipinos on the larger islands did take the fight to the Japanese at great risk to themselves. At times they fought very bravely with little regard for there own life. But in most cases (not all) this was to preserve their own family, clan, or local region.

Edited May 26, 2012 by Old55