Marines Surrender Weapons Before Yemen Evacuation

military.com ^ | Feb. 11, 2015 | Richard Sisk

[The_Media_never_lie]

U.S. Embassy Marines in Yemen handed over their M-9 pistols and M-4 carbines before evacuating the chaotic country with diplomatic personnel, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

The Marines also left behind several vehicles at the airport in the capital city of Sanaa before departing on a civilian flight, said Army Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman.

[The_Media_never_lie]

Marines ordered to surrender their weapons and leave Yemen with tails between their legs. Not their choice, but the optics were terrible. What kind of idiot would put them in this position.

Above all, in the middle east, respect is given to the strong horse. IT IS ALL ABOUT SAVING FACE! Who is responsible for this?

Just a few months ago, Yemen was touted as being an example of sucess in the struggle against violent extremists.

[PhiloBedo]

Departing on a CIVILIAN flight? If we were evacuating an Embassy, wouldn’t a rational CIC send in a contingent with military aircraft to transport the embassy staff? (rhetorical question)

[SWAMPSNIPER]

"Who is responsible for this?"?

How many guesses do I get?

[Truth29]

Was this another move to further weaken the US military in the eyes of the Islamists in the Middle East and weaken our influence, I wonder. It sounds just like something the Obama team would do.

[DugwayDuke]

“Warren also could not say why a civilian charter flight was used rather than military aircraft for the evacuation. He suggested that the handover of weapons may have resulted from international rules barring weapons on a civilian flight.”

I call bullshit. My NG unit deployed to Korea multiple times while carrying weapons on board a civilian chartered flight. We had pistols, M60’s, M16’s, M48’s (three M16’s ductaped together).

[The_Media_never_lie]

Marines were ordered to evacuate with tails between their legs. Humiliation. Who’s bright idea?

In the middle east, especially, respect is given to the strong horse. It is all about face and saving face. This is a terrible defeat, even though no shots were fired. It is all about perception.

Couldn’t an honorable evacuation have been arranged?

[al baby]

This ain’t the 1950s

[centurion316]

That’s what you do when you want to be inclusive, multicultural, and diverse. That’s also how you get locked in a cage, doused with gasoline, and set on fire. You get what you ask for.

[armydoc]

BS, alright. 3 combat deployments since 2004. All of them utilized chartered civilian aircraft. Carried weapons each time.

[Gritty]

This was not only supremely humiliating but dangerous.

Without arms, what was to prevent the Muzzies from grabbing the Marines and Embassy staff, putting them in a cage, and setting them all alight?

The Marines and Navy had an evacuation force just off shore. What was wrong with bringing them in for support and supervising the evacuation?

[The_Media_never_lie]

The Marines and Navy had an evacuation force just off shore. What was wrong with bringing them in for support and supervising the evacuation?

This would have been the honorable way to evacuate. Had anyone tested our Marines by firing on them, there would have been hell to pay (assuming the Marines were allowed to carry ammunition). It would have sent a message you do not screw around with Sam.

I presume the administration did not want to have video of a Saigon Embassy type evacuation, so they were willing to have the Marines humiliated as the lesser of two evils.

This action is very dangerous because it gives the idea that Marines now just put down their weapons and leave when confronted.

[Paladin2]

More Islamic Victory provided by Caliph 0bama.

[Lurker]

Who gave the order?

L

[tioga]

Obama disarmament the military. No surprise there.

[tioga]

Disarms.

[Engedi]

President just touted Yemen a few days ago as one of best allies and an example of success.

[Lurker]

The State Department is not found in the Marine Corps chain of command.

L

[BradyLS]

What? One of those big Sea Kings with a Cobra escort couldn’t sit down on the grounds, load everyone up, arms and all, and take them away to an awaiting amphibious assault ship?

I agree. Surrendering weapons was a disaster waiting to happen.

[FortWorthPatriot]

CLARITY ON MARINE SECURITY FORCE DEPARTURE FROM YEMEN

February / 11 / 2015

HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS, WASHINGTON — The Marine Security Force left the American embassy in Yemen for the movement to the airfield as part of the "ordered departure" with only personal weapons. All crew served weapons were destroyed at the embassy prior to movement. None of them were 'handed over' in any way to anyone. The destruction of weapons at the embassy and the airport was carried out in accordance with an approved destruction plan.

Upon arrival at the airfield, all personal weapons were rendered inoperable in accordance with advance planning. Specifically, each bolt was removed from its weapons body and rendered inoperable by smashing with sledgehammers. The weapons bodies, minus the bolts, were then separately smashed with sledgehammers. All of these destroyed components were left at the airport -- and components were scattered; no usable weapon was taken from any Marine at Sana'a airport.

To be clear: No Marine handed a weapon to a Houthi, or had one taken from him.

[BenLurkin]