Latest news with #UnitDeploymentProgram
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What Marines deploying to LA amid protests legally can, and cannot, do
Roughly 700 Marines have been ordered to deploy to Los Angeles to protect federal buildings and officials amid mounting immigration protests there, U.S. Northern Command, or NORTHCOM, announced on Monday. 'DoD military personnel on this mission are protecting property and personnel,' Air Force Capt. Mayrem Morales, a NORTHCOM spokesperson, told Task & Purpose. 'They are providing support to prevent the destruction or defacement of federal government property, including crowd control and establishment of security perimeters. These personnel are also protecting federal officials from harm or threat of bodily injury while those officials execute their duties.' The Marines are assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, which is based at Twentynine Palms, California, the Marine Corps' premier site for combat training. The battalion's mission includes preparing to take part in Unit Deployment Program rotations to the Western Pacific, according to the battalion's website. President Donald Trump has already federalized 2,100 members of the California National Guard in response to the protests, which began on June 6 following raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Los Angeles. The situation escalated on Sunday when thousands of protesters took to the streets. That same day, NORTHCOM announced that the Marines had been notified to prepare to deploy to Los Angeles in case they were needed. When asked why 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines would take part in the U.S. military's response to the Los Angeles protests and what capabilities it could bring to the mission, Marine Corps officials referred questions to NORTHCOM, which referred Task & Purpose back to the Marines. No information was immediately available about whether the battalion had conducted law enforcement training in the past two years. Generally speaking, Marine infantry units focus on lethal force as opposed to less-than-lethal force, so they are typically not trained or equipped to deal with civil disturbances, said retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, who led military relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. 'In this particular mission, they could supplement the Guard or work with them in the mission of protecting federal property and people,' Honoré told Task & Purpose on Monday. 'Just like we protect federal installations, we've got the authority to protect federal buildings and federal property. All of our installations are generally protected by soldiers either in the Military Police or shore patrol, and this is an extension of that.' Honoré also noted that because Trump has federalized the National Guard, those troops are not able to conduct law enforcement missions unless the president invokes the Insurrection Act, which allows federal troops to be deployed under certain circumstances, such as in response to a natural disaster or terrorist attack. Normally, National Guard troops are activated by authorities within their home state to conduct disaster relief or law enforcement missions when their governors deem it necessary, said retired Air Force Lt. Col. Rachel VanLandingham, a former military attorney. The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prohibits federal U.S. troops — including federalized National Guardsmen — from performing law enforcement duties on American soil, unless the president invokes the Insurrection Act, said VanLandingham, a law professor at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. In this case, Trump has not invoked the Insurrection Act, and he has only directed the federalized National Guard troops to protect federal personnel and buildings, said VanLandingham, who teaches national security law and constitutional criminal procedure. The troops have not been authorized or directed to conduct arrests, searches, or seizures, which are classic law enforcement activities, she said. VanLandingham also questioned the usefulness of deploying Marines to protect federal buildings, particularly since California's governor has not requested federal support, and he could have deployed his state's National Guard to do so. 'That would be an extraordinary use of active-duty troops that has never been used before outside of Insurrection Act invocation,' VanLandingham. The last time a president invoked the Insurrection Act was in 1992, when President George H. W. Bush federalized the National Guard and activated soldiers with the 7th Infantry Division and Marines from the 1st Marine Division to respond to riots in Los Angeles following the acquittal of four police officers accused of beating motorist Rodney King. About 1,500 Marines from Camp Pendleton, California, were deployed to Los Angeles in 1992, and they were issued riot gear and given refresher training prior to their mission, retired Army Maj. Gen. James Delk, who oversaw the California National Guard's response to the riots, wrote in a 1995 Army case study of the riots. However, communications proved to be a challenge at times because Marines, soldiers, and police all use different terminologies, Delk wrote. In one incident, a squad of Marines accompanied police to a home in response to a domestic dispute. One of the police officers was hit when someone inside opened fire. 'His partner grabbed him and as he pulled him back he hollered to the Marines 'Cover me!'' Delk wrote. 'Now to a cop, that was very simple command. That means aim your rifle and use it if necessary. To a Marine, and there were some well-trained young patriots in that squad, it meant something entirely different. They instantly opened up. A mom, a dad, and three children occupied that house.' Police later found more than 200 bullet holes in the home, but thankfully no one inside was hit, Delk wrote. 'The point is, those great young Marines did exactly what they're trained to do, but not what the police thought they requested,' Delk wrote. 'You need to understand the differences in language.' When asked what steps NORTHCOM is taking to prevent similar misunderstandings from occurring during the current military response in Los Angeles, a command spokesperson said service members are trained to deescalate situations and always retain the right of self-defense to a 'hostile act or demonstrated hostile intent.' 'The safety and security of the men and women performing their duties is paramount,' the spokesperson said. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. A Marine Corps reply-all email apocalypse has an incredible real-life ending Army shuts down its sole active-duty information operations command Army plans to close more than 20 base museums in major reduction Former Green Beret nominated to top Pentagon position to oversee special ops The Navy's new recruiting commercial puts the 'dirt wars' in the past
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Marine F-35B stealth fighter squadron arrives in Japan
A Marine fighter attack squadron recently deployed to Japan, joining three other squadrons in an effort to support operations in the Indo-Pacific, according to a release from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron, or VMFA-211 — an F-35B Lightning II squadron hailing from Yuma, Arizona — arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, on Saturday. The newest additions, also known as the 'Wake Island Avengers,' will fold into Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, to assist with deployments in the region. 'The squadron joins VMFA-121 and VMFA-242, MAG-12's two permanently stationed F-35B squadrons, alongside VMFA-214, another U.S.-based UDP [Unit Deployment Program] squadron, to enhance our ability to support III Marine Expeditionary Force and joint force operations across the Indo-Pacific,' a 1st Marine Aircraft Wing spokesperson said in a statement. Air Force F-35A 'Frankenjet' returns to the skies While the unit declined to list the exact number of aircraft and service members deployed to Japan along with VMFA-211, a spokesperson told Military Times a typical F-35B squadron includes 10 aircraft and enough personnel to operate and maintain the fighters. The exact dates of deployment were also not revealed, but the 1st Aircraft Wing acknowledged deployments usually last six months. VMFA-211 squadron will participate in exercises in support of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, the spokesperson confirmed. Recently, VMFA-214 participated in Freedom Flag 25-1, a joint exercise between the U.S. and Korea held in April at Gwangju Air Base, Korea. 'These exercises, in turn, will ensure the Marine Corps is operationally ready and postured to support U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security,' the spokesperson said. Marine Aircraft Group 12 — along with the now four Marine fighter attack squadrons — includes Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12.
Miami Herald
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US stealth fighters sent to allied base to counter China threat
The United States has recently dispatched an additional squadron of stealth fighter aircraft to Japan, its treaty ally in Northeast Asia, aiming to counter the military threat posed by China. The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, an aviation unit of the U.S. Marine Corps headquartered in Japan, confirmed to Newsweek that it now has a total of four F-35 squadrons. The Chinese Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a Newsweek written request for comment. Japan is part of the First Island Chain under America's containment strategy, which seeks to restrict China's military access to the wider Pacific Ocean through U.S.-aligned territories. The U.S. military maintains bases in Japan to respond to potential emergencies in the region. In early March, the U.S. Marine Corps sent an unknown number of F-35B stealth fighter jets to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan. The aircraft, assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214, were originally based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona. The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stated that the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, a second F-35B squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, was deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni on Saturday to support flight operations across the Indo-Pacific region. The aircraft were deployed under the Unit Deployment Program, which aims to provide continental U.S.-based units with experience operating in the Indo-Pacific region through 'continuous and overlapping deployments,' according to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Meanwhile, the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214 remains at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing said in response to an inquiry from Newsweek. The Arizona-based F-35B unit was also deployed to Japan under the Unit Deployment Program. Prior to the arrival of the two F-35B squadrons from Arizona, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni was already the permanent home to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons 242 and 121, which operate the same type of jets and provide combat-ready forces for operations in the Western Pacific. The F-35B aircraft is capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings from ships without full-length runways and austere locations. Its two sister variants-the F-35A and F-35C-are designed for operations from conventional runways and aircraft carriers, respectively. In addition to the U.S. Marine Corps' F-35B aircraft, Japan currently hosts the F-35A jets operated by the U.S. Air Force at Kadena Air Base on the southwestern island of Okinawa, as well as the F-35C jets of the U.S. Navy based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. The U.S. Marine Corps 1st Marine Aircraft Wing said: '[Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211] will augment 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in providing critical aviation support from naval and expeditionary environments. This allows the Marine Corps to ensure operational readiness as obligated in support of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.' U.S. Marine Corps Major General Marcus B. Annibale, commanding general of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, said: 'As more F-35 squadrons deploy to the remote and contested environments of the Indo-Pacific, Marine Aviation's readiness will grow, and our capabilities as a combined force in this region will become even more lethal.' It remains unclear how long the Arizona-based F-35B units will remain deployed, and President Donald Trump has questioned why the security treaty signed with Japan, asking why is was not reciprocal. 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Stealth Fighters Sent To Allied Base to Counter China Threat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States has recently dispatched an additional squadron of stealth fighter aircraft to Japan, its treaty ally in Northeast Asia, aiming to counter the military threat posed by China. The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, an aviation unit of the U.S. Marine Corps headquartered in Japan, confirmed to Newsweek that it now has a total of four F-35 squadrons. The Chinese Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a Newsweek written request for comment. Why It Matters Japan is part of the First Island Chain under America's containment strategy, which seeks to restrict China's military access to the wider Pacific Ocean through U.S.-aligned territories. The U.S. military maintains bases in Japan to respond to potential emergencies in the region. In early March, the U.S. Marine Corps sent an unknown number of F-35B stealth fighter jets to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan. The aircraft, assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214, were originally based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona. What To Know The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stated that the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, a second F-35B squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, was deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni on Saturday to support flight operations across the Indo-Pacific region. The aircraft were deployed under the Unit Deployment Program, which aims to provide continental U.S.-based units with experience operating in the Indo-Pacific region through "continuous and overlapping deployments," according to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Meanwhile, the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214 remains at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing said in response to an inquiry from Newsweek. The Arizona-based F-35B unit was also deployed to Japan under the Unit Deployment Program. Prior to the arrival of the two F-35B squadrons from Arizona, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni was already the permanent home to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons 242 and 121, which operate the same type of jets and provide combat-ready forces for operations in the Western Pacific. A United States Marine Corps F-35B fighter aircraft, assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, lands at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan on May 10, 2025. A United States Marine Corps F-35B fighter aircraft, assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, lands at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan on May 10, 2025. LCpl. Erick Reyes/U.S. Marine Corps The F-35B aircraft is capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings from ships without full-length runways and austere locations. Its two sister variants—the F-35A and F-35C—are designed for operations from conventional runways and aircraft carriers, respectively. In addition to the U.S. Marine Corps' F-35B aircraft, Japan currently hosts the F-35A jets operated by the U.S. Air Force at Kadena Air Base on the southwestern island of Okinawa, as well as the F-35C jets of the U.S. Navy based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. What People Are Saying The U.S. Marine Corps 1st Marine Aircraft Wing said: "[Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211] will augment 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in providing critical aviation support from naval and expeditionary environments. This allows the Marine Corps to ensure operational readiness as obligated in support of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security." U.S. Marine Corps Major General Marcus B. Annibale, commanding general of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, said: "As more F-35 squadrons deploy to the remote and contested environments of the Indo-Pacific, Marine Aviation's readiness will grow, and our capabilities as a combined force in this region will become even more lethal." What Happens Next It remains unclear how long the Arizona-based F-35B units will remain deployed, and President Donald Trump has questioned why the security treaty signed with Japan, asking why is was not reciprocal.
