Conway: Sealift key to Corps expeditionary legs

[unhappycamper]

Conway: Sealift key to Corps expeditionary legs
By Gidget Fuentes - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Nov 19, 2008 19:53:26 EST

SAN DIEGO — In his two years as commandant, Gen. James Conway has beat the drum for shifting Marine combat forces from Iraq to Afghanistan and reviving the Corps’ unique ability to conduct amphibious expeditionary missions.

A quieted Anbar province eases the pressure on Marine commanders there, as top leaders prepare for more combat boots in Afghanistan. In Iraq, “things are looking better there than anybody would have ever believed at this point in time,” Conway told an audience at the San Diego Military Affairs Council meeting on Wednesday.

As for Afghanistan, however, “we’re going to be in that fight for some time.”

But the goals of returning more Marines to sea and seasoning them for beach assaults or other expeditionary missions, Conway noted, are running up against tight budgets and a shrinking fleet.

“We need more, (that) is the bottom line,” Conway said. “We have a concern that you can only go so long, with regards to this forcible-entry capabilities. Beyond that, you don’t have a capability.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/11/marine_conway_111908w/%2e