ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE — The Marine helicopter unit at Robins will be seen in the skies a lot more often.

The unit is getting three additional AH-1W Super Cobra attack choppers from other active-duty squadrons that are getting the new AH-1Z. That takes the unit’s Super Cobra fleet from four to seven. Two of the choppers have arrived in the past two weeks, and the third is expected soon.

“We can get reserve pilots and active-duty pilots more flight time now,” said Lt. Col. Philip Eilertson, commander of Marine Aircraft Group 49, Detachment A. “Now we have more aircraft to fly; therefore we can fly more often.”

It’s not so much about the flying as it is the target practice. The Cobra’s shooting system takes a highly coordinated effort between the pilot in the rear seat and the gunner, who also can take over as pilot, in the front seat. It’s something that takes a lot of practice, said Eilertson, a Cobra pilot who flew combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan…”

Forrás : http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/04/27/marines-at-robins-get-more-super-cobra-attack-choppers.html?ESRC=marine.nl

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. — The Marine Corps has a zero tolerance policy for sexual assault, an act that directly contradicts our Marine Corps values of honor, courage and commitment.

The Marine Corps takes measures to educate and train Marines on sexual assault prevention and response and its effect on our brothers and sisters in arms. The frontline representatives  for this effort are known as uniformed victim advocates, or UVAs.

“It’s important for the Marine Corps, and every branch of the military, to have UVAs, because the UVA is an identified person that someone can go to for help,” said Sgt. Phillip Elgie, UVA for the Marine Detachment at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. “It also shows troops that the Marine Corps is doing everything to combat it and then help people who are affected by it.”

Advocates not only provide support, education, and training to Marines, they also play a large part in preventing sexual assault…”

Forrás : http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/04/24/marines-on-frontline-battling-to-end-sexual-assault.html?ESRC=marine.nl

VIRGINIA BEACH — A second Navy SEAL involved in an accident at a Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek pool has died.

Petty Officer 1st Class Brett Allen Marihugh, 34 of Livonia, Mich., died Sunday of his injuries, according to Lt. David Lloyd, a Naval Special Warfare Group 2 spokesman.

On Friday, Marihugh and Petty Officer 1st Class Seth Cody Lewis were found unresponsive in a swimming pool on base while doing physical fitness training.

Both men belonged to Naval Special Warfare Group 2 and Lloyd said in a news release that the two men were discovered at the bottom of the pool by service members assigned to the Combat Swimmer Training Facility, which is also used by members of the SEAL team for regular fitness training…”

Forrás : http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/04/27/2nd-navy-seal-dies-after-accident-in-little-creek-pool.html?ESRC=marine.nl

SOLANA BEACH, Calif. — A huge Marine Corps helicopter made an emergency landing on a Southern California beach on Wednesday, bringing no damages or injuries but leaving an unforgettable spectacle for surrounding swimmers and sunbathers.

The CH-53E Super Stallion landed on the shore of this northern San Diego County town shortly after 11:30 a.m. after a low oil-pressure indicator light went on in the cockpit, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar said in a statement.

The 100-foot copter is twice the size of the humpback whales that sometimes wash up on surrounding shores. It crouched on the sand below a bluff and only a few yards from the surf line, dwarfing surfboard-topped lifeguard vehicles parked nearby.

Bing Bush and his wife, Julie, who live in a cliffside complex overlooking the beach, were in for a surprise when they stepped out their front door…”

Forrás : http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/04/16/marine-helicopter-is-forced-to-land-on-california-beach.html?ESRC=marine.nl

“Apr 14, 2015 | by Matthew Cox

The Marines will have to wait another decade to increase the speed of its amphibious troop carriers, Marine Corps officials said Tuesday.

The service is pushing forward with plans to build about 200 new Amphibious Combat Vehicles that will ultimately replace the older, Amphibious Assault Vehicle fleet.

High-water speed has been a key requirement since these armored troop carriers are designed for forced-entry operations. Marine officials, however, have decided to postpone a decision on the requirement until 2025, Marine officials said at the 2015 Sea, Air and Space conference hosted at National Harbor, Md.

“High-water speed is still an important requirement for us. We are just going to have to figure out how to go about doing that,” said Marine Maj. Gen. Andrew O’Donnell, assistant deputy commandant for Combat Development & Integration.

The ACV is the service’s top modernization priority, but it will not immediately replace the AAV. The Corps will upgrade 392 AAVs to compliment the new ACVs…”

Forrás : http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/04/14/marines-postpone-faster-amphibious-combat-ships-to-2025.html?ESRC=marine.nl