Roll on Roll off Discharge Facility (RRDF)...the unknown part of the sea base.

A roll-on/roll-off discharge facility, or RRDF, serves as an area for loading and off-loading cargo at sea. The RRDF, assembled off Saipan in preparation for Freedom Banner/Cobra Gold 2011, includes nine connected modules, which are powered by two warping tugs and a power module.
U.S. Navy photos by Ensign Justin Bennett

The Roll On- Roll Off Discharge Facility is perhaps the most under reported part of the sea base....but its also arguably one of the most important.

I never realized it and the Marine Corps website doesn't play it up, but the sea base as envisioned isn't revolutionary at all...its actually evolutionary.  From the actions off the coast of Normandy to the work done in the Pacific even the work done by the Riverine Forces in Vietnam with their floating motherships which serviced not only watercraft but also aircraft are all building blocks upon which the modern sea base is being built.

When looked at in that light this is a common sense solution to historical problems.

GRAPHIC! Sensitive eyes turn away!

Got this video from SHTF Blog.  In certain conservative sections of our electorate, the rise in Police Power and Abuse is being observed with alarm. 

Go to his site for the full story.

Like taking candy from a baby....and that's the shame of it.

No one in the Marine Corps will admit it.

Its politically incorrect and is frowned on in polite society.

But its fun to stomp on your enemies.

But its something else entirely when you as a friend, take advantage of a friend.  Even when the friend is being stupid.

That's what we have in this story from Defense News.  Go there for the whole thing but the good bits....

The United Kingdom has proposed trading F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft with the United States, according to a Pentagon letter to the U.S. Congress.
Under the proposal, the United States would give the United Kingdom one of its carrier variants (F-35C) of the F-35 in exchange for a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) version, called the F-35B.

and...

Under the exchange, the United Kingdom would have to cover any costs required to upgrade its F-35B aircraft so that it would be identical to the version the U.S. had planned to buy, according to the letter.
The United Kingdom would also be responsible for any unique requirements it has for the F-35C.
Under the plan, United States would get an F-35B two years earlier. This means $10 million in additional operations and maintenance costs for the Marine Corps in 2013 and 2014. This would be due to increased flight hours, fuel, training costs, etc.

Many observers are going to claim that this is indeed cost neutral and mutually beneficial.  I beg to differ.  The USMC is going to get another F-35B sooner....will be able to put wings on deck sooner....and will be able to divest itself of the capable but aging AV-8B sooner.  In return the Brits are getting F-35C's in schedule and are going to have to make an necessary changes to them on their own dime, while paying for changes to the Marine Corps F-35B.

The Corps stomped on them and they don't even know it.

13th MEU Parachute Training Evolutions.

110625-N-DB458-015 GULF OF ADEN (June 25, 2011) Master Sgt. Darwin White, right, assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU), inspects the parachute equipment of another Marine in preparation for a routine parachute training evolution in the hangar bay aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4). Boxer and the embarked 13th MEU are underway supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Anna Kiner/Released)

110625-N-DB458-088 GULF OF ADEN (June 25, 2011) Marines assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) prepare to jump from an H-53 Sea Stallion helicopter assigned to the Evil Eyes of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 163 during a routine parachute training evolution. The 13th MEU is embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) and is underway supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Anna Kiner/Released)

This is why the SgtMajor of the Marine Corps should have crushed this shit!

It happened again.  A Marine asked a celebrity to the Marine Ball.


Battle Rattle was happy to post it.

Even MSNBC's social reporter was asking when is it going to stop and isn't enough enough....

SgtMajor, get your head up cowboy and squash this shit ricky tick quick!

This is already out of hand...already looks bad...and is bringing discredit to the Marine Corps.

31st MEU in Australia.

A U.S. Marine amphibious assault vehicle carries Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, to shore during an amphibious assault rehearsal in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 demonstrates the United States and Australian commitment to their military alliance, and enhances stability and security throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nation's force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.
Date Photo Taken: 7/18/2011 10:14:00 AM
Unit: 31st MEU
Photo ByLine: Lance Cpl. Brennan O'Lowney

Amphibious Assault Vehicles with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, land on Freshwater Beach during a mock amphibious assault rehearsal, July 18. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel will participate. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries’ bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.
Date Photo Taken: 7/18/2011 11:02:00 AM
Unit: 31st MEU
Photo ByLine: Lance Cpl. Garry J. Welch

U.S. Marine amphibious assault vehicles carry Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, to shore during an amphibious assault rehearsal at in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 demonstrates the United States and Australian commitment to their military alliance, and enhances stability and security throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nation's force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.
Date Photo Taken: 7/18/2011 10:13:00 AM
Unit: 31st MEU
Photo ByLine: Lance Cpl. Brennan O'Lowney

Amphibious Assault Vehicles with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, land on Freshwater Beach during a mock amphibious assault rehearsal, July 18. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel will participate. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries’ bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.
Date Photo Taken: 7/18/2011 10:04:00 AM
Unit: 31st MEU
Photo ByLine: Capt. Caleb Eames

An Amphibious Assault Vehicle with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, land on Freshwater Beach during a mock amphibious assault rehearsal, July 18. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel will participate. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries’ bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.
Date Photo Taken: 7/18/2011 11:12:00 AM
Unit: 31st MEU
Photo ByLine: Lance Cpl. Garry J. Welch

An Amphibious Assault Vehicle with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, drive along Freshwater Beach to set up a blocking position during a mock amphibious assault rehearsal, July 18. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel will participate. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries’ bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.
Date Photo Taken: 7/18/2011 11:26:00 AM
Unit: 31st MEU
Photo ByLine: Lance Cpl. Garry J. Welch

Amphibious Assault Vehicles with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, land on Freshwater Beach during a mock amphibious assault rehearsal, July 18. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel will participate. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries’ bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.
Date Photo Taken: 7/18/2011 10:02:00 AM
Unit: 31st MEU
Photo ByLine: Capt. Caleb Eames

Multiple U.S. Marine amphibious assault vehicles carry Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, down a beach during an amphibious assault rehearsal at Freshwater Beach in Queensland, Australia, in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 demonstrates the United States and Australian commitment to their military alliance, and enhances stability and security throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nation's force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.
Date Photo Taken: 7/18/2011 10:25:00 AM
Unit: 31st MEU
Photo ByLine: Lance Cpl. Brennan O'Lowney

Amphibious Assault Vehicles with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, drive along Freshwater Beach to set up blocking positions during a mock amphibious assault rehearsal, July 18. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel will participate. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries’ bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.
Date Photo Taken: 7/18/2011 10:23:00 AM
Unit: 31st MEU
Photo ByLine: Capt. Caleb Eames

Fifth F-35 Marine Corps Variant Delivered To Navy Test Site