Back on land - 7 December 2008

Friends and Family,

After traveling to the Philippines, Korea, and finally Hong Kong, the 31st MEU safely and successfully finished its fall patrol last weekend by arriving in Okinawa. This means I am back on land! While I was able to also set foot in the Philippines and Hong Kong, it is great to be back on Okinawa. Nine weeks at sea is actually a very short deployment. The east and west coast MEU's typically deploy for seven months at a time, with their destination being the Middle East. The Pacific Area of Responsibility (AOR), while strategic and important, is obviously quite different. There were no contingency operations that we were needed for, which is good news. While events like the terrorist attacks in India and the unrest in Thailand were/are very unfortunate and ugly, thankfully neither escalated to unmanageable proportions for those respective countries.

The highlight of the patrol was the port visit to Hong Kong. Of all the places I've visited in the world, Hong Kong is at the top of the list. The amazing cityscape on the north side of the island, contrasted with the beautiful southern coast and old British colonial area, separated by only a few miles, really have a lot to offer. I was able to troop around with a couple other lieutenants who I knew from my time in Virginia that also were assigned to the MEU.

Professionally speaking, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Learning the MAGTF (pronounced MAG-TAFF, which means Marine Air Ground Task Force) basics first hand will prove to be invaluable as I move forward with my career. The highlight of this portion was a four day visit aboard a Japanese naval vessel called the Kunisaki, during the Navy's annual exercise with the Japanese. Myself and five other Marine Officers went to the Japanese ship to serve as Marine Liaison's with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force. It is interesting to think about that fact that only one or two generations ago we were killing each other, now we are aboard one another's Naval vessels as allies discussing warfighting tactics. That is some pretty awesome progress in my opinion. Wouldn't it be great to eventually be able to say that about some of the bad guys that we are fighting now? Other than the fact that I'd be out of a job, I think it'd be an awesome thing. I'm sure I could find something else to do anyway.

I will be returning to MWCS-18 for the final 6 months of my tour in Okinawa. As it stands right now, I will be heading to Norfolk, VA, this summer. I've learned, however, that in the Marine Corps nothing is guaranteed until you see it in writing, or until you are actually on the plane! We'll see how things pan out.

That is all for now. Take care and hope to hear from you. Press on towards the Goal. - Philippians 3:14. Always.

In Him who is able to do immeasurably more,
1stLt Steven R. Haack