FRIDAY FOTO (September 18, 2020)

Different Perspective.

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brandon Salas)

At 4GWAR Blog, we’re used to seeing Marines, Army Rangers and other frontline troops fast rope out of a hovering helicopter, but from, a different angle — usually a long camera shot, far enough away to see the hovering aircraft, and the troops sliding down the rope, and sometimes the view from the aircraft, looking down. But here we see things from the deck of the amphibious assault ship USS America looking up at a MV-22B Osprey’s tail section and the sky above.

These Marines are with the Maritime Raid Force (MRF) of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). They’re fast roping onto the America’s deck from an Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced) — another part of the 31st MEU.

The Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is the smallest Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), a combination of air, ground and support assets. Together, with Sailors and Navy ships they serve as the nation’s forward deployed, quick response team, capable of accomplishing numerous missions around the globe.

The MEU, commanded by a Marine Corps colonel, comprises approximately 2,200 Marines and Sailors based aboard three or four amphibious ships. These ships are manned by another 2,000-plus Sailors and Marines, and as a group are designated as an Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) commanded by a senior Navy Captain. Joined together, the MEU and PHIBRON are designated as an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). The America, flagship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, operates in the 7th fleet area of operations in the Indo-Pacific region.   The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU. ,

The fast rope sustainment training prepares the MRF for specialized insertion methods in support of a variety air-to-ship operations, including visit-board-search-and seizure (as seen in this photo), maritime interdiction and specialized limited scale raids.

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