JTF-536 STANDS UP IN ASIA
The US military has created and staffed Joint Task Force 536 in SE Asia, which includes 600 personnel on shore and 11500 afloat. Their mission will be humanitarain relief in tsunami-affected areas and they will use past such efforts, especially Operation Sea Angel in Bangladesh as a template.
It appears that there are US Support Groups in place in several countries, and these are shifting from a disaster relief assessment role to one of providing relief. Each USSG is headed by a one-star flag officer.
The overall JTF is headed by the Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, LtGen Rusty Blackman. The fact that a 3-star general is in charge means:
a. the US participation will be large
b. expected coalition participation will also be large.
c. the US is placing enormous emphasis on this task.
More can be found on the US Pacific Command website.
We'll cover this as best we can here at The Adventures of Chester. It looks like the major media is giving it scant attention.
posted by Chester at 1/03/2005 05:44:00 AM
4 Comments:
Hopefully the standing-up of a JTF headquarters commanded by a Lieut.General means that US aid will be distributed under the American flag, so to speak, and not under the auspices of the UN kleptocracy.
Forgot my password....
There's terrific discussion of this on the Belmont Club. The UN will try to take credit for what the U.S., Australians, Japanese and others have already accomplished. They'll be trying to get the Lincoln to fly the blue flag by the time Kofi comes to visit. And the various little rebellions ongoing in the area may try to take over relief distribution, and end up exchanging fire with U.S. and Australian forces. That's another reason that there may be a USMC 3-star running the task force.
Cheers,
Peyton
Good info, Chester. Like you said, it's not getting much detailed press coverage. I'll link to it in a post on my site.
last week or so, there was a discussion about an petty officer 3rd class who walked away from his assignment [san diego], declaring himself to be a conscientious objector. i believe his assigned ship is now helping out with the tsunami disaster [troop carrier]. ironic. i enjoy your blog and sorry for straying, but i thought he could have been participating in an major historical event, unless of course his co status covers anything of real sacrifice
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