300 US Marines, 2 warships in the Black Sea: Possible response force for Sochi

300 US Marines, 2 warships in the Black Sea: Possible response force for Sochi

With the expectation of Islamic Jihadi terrorists attacking the upcoming Sochi, Russia, Winter Olympics growing by the day, two US warships and 300 Marines are already in the stand-by mode in the Black Sea, as reported by ABC News on Jan. 31, 2014, and also by the Military Times on Jan. 11, 2014.

The flagship for the US 6th Fleet, the command ship USS Mt. Whitney (LCC/JCC 20), and the guided missile frigate USS Taylor (FFG-50) have entered the Black Sea, reportedly “to conduct scheduled maritime security operations in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operation.” Yet it is widely accepted that the Americans are flying the flag in the area for any contingency that may arise due to terrorism, especially if US citizens find themselves in need of rescuing.

Besides the mini-naval task force expected to sail between the Dardanelles within the week, US Marines out of Camp Lejeune, NC, are already in the Black Sea Area of Operations.

When it absolutely, positively has to be destroyed overnight …

Formed as a rapid reaction force in 2010, the Black Sea Rotation Force (BSFR), manned by Marines, is prepared to swing into action when the United States needs people killed and things destroyed in the region posthaste.

With the exact number of Marines assigned to BSRF-14 not available for public consumption, the Military Times noted on Jan. 11, 2014, that Leathernecks from the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion are currently deployed, with their base of operations being out of the Black Sea port city of Constanța, Romania.

Despite thousands of US Army troops already stationed in Europe, 300 Marines are normally assigned to the quick-strike force contingent.

The unofficial nickname  is “War Pigs,” the origin of which is explained by 1st Sgt Justin Owens of Charlie Company:

It’s like that Black Sabbath song, ‘War Pigs.’ They’re dirty, they’re nasty, but they’re capable of a lot of destruction.

T. Kevin Whiteman

T. Kevin Whiteman

T. Kevin Whiteman is a retired Master Sergeant of Marines. He has written for Examiner, Conservative Firing Line, and other blogs.

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