Posted on 06/16/2012 5:47:24 AM PDT by Las Vegas Dave
The Marines will storm Burke Lakefront Airport June 16 and 17, using some of the military's newest tactics and equipment.
You'll get to watch, but get there early.
Cleveland officials and Marines estimate 40,000 people will attend each of two simulated amphibious assaults at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the airport. The demonstrations are among the high points of Marine Week, in which an estimated 120,000 people will visit a variety of events in Greater Cleveland.
The invading Marines will come by land, water and air, and it could be difficult to see every bit of the action. That's why Jumbotrons will be spread around the airport. By arriving early, you have a greater chance of seeing lots of the action.
The simulated training assault will display the Marines' mission in national defense in an exercise that will last about an hour each day.
"It's two birds with the same stone: good training for us, and a good show for you," Marine Capt. Craig Thomas said recently.
If you are planning to go to the simulated assaults, here's what you should know: Admission is free. There will be no grandstand seating. Food vendors will be located at the airport. Coolers are prohibited, as are outside food and beverages. Some parking will be available near the airport, but officials recommend taking the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. RTA will offer extra rail service on the Waterfront Line the entire week. The airport will be closed for only a few hours during the simulated events. It will reopen soon afterward. North Marginal Road along Burke will be closed for much of Saturday and Sunday, as will Erieside Avenue around Cleveland Browns Stadium. A perimeter will be set up near Burke to prevent boaters from getting too close to the action.
The RTA says riders should exit the Waterfront Line at the North Coast station on East Ninth Street and follow the crowds to the event. All-day RTA passes cost $5 for adults and $2.50 for children. Additional information about RTA services can be found at riderta.com/marineweek.
Marine exhibits will be dotted along the waterfront both days. Demonstrations at Burke begin at 11 a.m. and will include performances by the Quantico Marine Band and Silent Drill Platoon.
Unlike for air shows at the airport, there will be no grandstands, as officials cited budget restraints. Spectators can bring lawn chairs, and the best locations will be grabbed on a first-come basis. Since the Marines will try to take control of the airport's terminal in the assault, those watching will be in grassy areas that run parallel to the airport runways.
To help those in attendance see the action, four Jumbotrons will be set up on the grounds. Spectators on nearby bluffs and buildings will be able to see aircraft coming in.
The Marines are billing Marine Week as "236 years of tradition in seven days."
They say it is not aimed at recruiting but is an attempt "to connect Americans with the Marine Corps on a variety of levels and to applaud the service of local Marines. It's also an opportunity for Marines to thank the communities for their unwavering support of America's men and women in uniform."
Wow wish I could be there.
“..there will be no grandstands, as officials cited budget restraints.”
Obama’s fault.
Burke Lakefront Airport - Cleveland Ohio
Ha! A bunch of Boy Scouts could take the Burke Airport.
Send those Marines over here and see if they’re any good:
Might be better if they landed from Lake Michigan and advanced on South Chicago.
We're gonna need more heavy arty, then...
/johnny
Could be good for Cleveland...every place we invade, we rebuild...
If you want to see a great example of Marines storming something, watch “The Wind and the Lion” from 1975. They double-time march from the ship directly to a Sultan’s palace and storm it. Awesome scene. The clip used to be on YouTube, but it got pulled. :-((
Tell the Army to take an enemy airfield.They’ll get it,take them a week or so.
Tell the Marines to take an enemy airfield.They’ll have it in 3 hours.Might be 3000 dead and wounded Marines on the ground-but you’ll have the airfield.
Awesome, but they should have selected Detroit or Flint. Then they could have blown up lots of houses that they are trying to get rid of and cowed the feral gangs there.
I really liked the riding in that movie. Whoever made the movie really loved horses.
"Hey diddle diddle
Straight up the middle"
I wonder if they’ll use explosives to rip out the fence lines?
And, of course, the target will need to be “softened up” with some arty!
(Some of my favorite memories of 29 Palms is watching air and fire power demonstrations out in the desert using real ordnance!)
Me three
The stroke he suffered at Lejeune in 1955 had a lot to do with it.
They should storm East Cleveland instead!
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