POTD: VBSS Ops – Force Reconnaissance Marines
TFB’s Photo Of The Day is on a mission to collect high-quality photos from the world of firearms. Here we have Force Reconnaissance Marines, commonly known as Force Recon Marines or simply Force Recon. They are an elite special operations unit within the United States Marine Corps. They specialize in conducting reconnaissance, surveillance, and other specialized military operations behind enemy lines or in hostile environments. Their primary mission is to gather intelligence, assess enemy capabilities, and provide critical information to support larger Marine Corps operations.
Above we have an excellent photo of a Force Reconnaissance Marine with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) who simulates posting security on the weather deck during a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) training exercise. The unit is aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48). Ashland, part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group in 2019.
Below: Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Jacob Meadows, from Lake Elsinore, California, waves the “Green Well” flag as the Landing Craft, Utility (LCU) 1633 prepares to depart the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48). Ashland, part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
Below: Landing Craft, Utility (LCU) 1633 departs the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48).
Below: Force Reconnaissance Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) clear the flight deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) during a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) training exercise.
Below: Landing Craft, Utility (LCU) 1633 sits grounded in the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48).
Below: A CH-53E Super Stallion, assigned to Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron (VMM) 262 (Reinforced), prepares to land on the flight deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48).
Source: U.S. Navy, photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda
Ex-Arctic Ranger. Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus. Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics, optics, thermals and suppressors. TCCC Certified. Occasionaly seen in a 6x6 Bug Out Vehicle, always with a big smile.
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What are the brown truck/boats that look kind of like an old DUKW?
Thank you Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda for the wonderful photography.
You captured the vividness and power of that operation.