In-demand riverines may add 4th squadron

[Steve's Mom]

By Andrew Scutro - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Oct 18, 2009 10:16:02 EDT

Top Navy leaders hope to add a fourth riverine squadron in the coming years, which would be the first major expansion for the force created almost four years ago.

“You may in the future see an increase in riverine capability,” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead told Navy Times during an Oct. 13 interview.

He said the commitment to maintain one squadron in Iraq that began in spring 2007 keeps the force from more engagement with other navies.

“I’ve tried to do some training with some international partners, [but] we don’t have the flexibility or the capacity to do that sort of thing,” he said. “So I am looking to bump it up a little bit.”

The Navy reclaimed the riverine mission from the Marine Corps following the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review. Marines had been operating small-boat forces in Iraq before the decision.

Today, the Navy operates three squadrons of about 225 sailors and 12 boats each. They are overseen by Riverine Group 1, based at Little Creek, Va.

Capt. Anthony Krueger, the group’s commodore, confirmed that the force is expecting to grow.

“As part of QDR [2010] and in talks inside the Pentagon, there is discussion of, should we have a fourth riverine squadron,” he said.

All three squadrons have deployed to Iraq. Squadron 1 has been there twice, Squadron 2 is on its second tour and Squadron 3 is preparing to make its second trip.

Krueger said there are no plans to change the rotation schedule. But regardless of whether tours in Iraq continue, Krueger said the demand for the units from combatant commanders remains constant.

“I don’t think we’ll be lacking for work post-Iraq,” he said.

Krueger said sailors from the riverine group and Naval Special Warfare Group 4, which runs its own boat units, are developing a training and capability plan for the Mexican navy. Likewise, riverine forces are scheduled to go to the western Pacific to train with counterparts from Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines for an upcoming exercise.

“That will be our entry into that theater,” Krueger said.

The deployed riverines, which had been operating mostly on the Euphrates River above and below the Hadithah Dam in western Iraq, have moved to the area around Basra in the south after turning over the patrol mission in Anbar province to Iraqi forces.

Riverine Squadron 2, which is still in Iraq, made the move south at the end of the summer. It had been working with Anbar province-based Marines, and now will operate with Army units in the area. Right now, that includes elements of the Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division.

“We’re essentially working for the Army now,” he said.

Krueger said the riverine units operate in the Shatt-al-Arab, the waterway that separates Iraq from Iran. He would not elaborate on the types of missions they conduct.

In June 2004, eight British sailors operating on small boats in the Shatt-al-Arab were captured by Iranian forces after being accused of crossing out of Iraqi waters. The sailors were released.

Krueger said the relocation was not related to the withdrawal of British forces from the area earlier this year.

“That was just one of those coincidences in timing,” he said.

With the U.S. expected to pull most of its troops out of the country, the riverines are focused on turning over their missions to Iraqis. Krueger said the sailors work closely with the coastal border guard units and riverine security police.

“The biggest challenge right now has been our shift in operational areas in Iraq.”

One riverine craft was recently destroyed by a roadside bomb while being towed. No one was injured.

[Lorraine]

Hello Steve's mom, thank you for posting this article, my son Eric is on his way to Little Creek to start his Riveron training. He is very excited after finishing his training in Gulfport! So far from my limited time on N4M's site, you are the first Riveron mom I have encountered! I hope to keep in touch with you if you would like to share your thoughts about Riverons with me. A little about my son, he went into the Navy as a Search and Rescue Swimmer, but that didn't work out and he changed to Quarter Master. He enjoyed that very much but heard about voluteering for the Riverines. That was it, he volunteered and was sent on his way. Of course I have my worries about this unit and their mission, but when I think about my son, he always wanted to be part of a "Special" and "Elite" group and I support him 100%.

Hope to hear from you soon.......Lorraine

[Steve's Mom]

Hi Lorraine, sorry for the misunderstanding, my sailor is not a Riverine. ( I have a sub and future rp) I was reposting the news article fromt the Navy Times. Our Riverine Moms are pretty quiet, I think it is the nature of their sailor's job and opsec. But they are here. I love hearing about your Eric, and please share as much as you are able too. :)

Shell

[Mamma Mary]

Thanks for posting this. It's very interesting to see the variety of things our Sailors are doing. I had no idea about this group.

[judy ryle]

Lorraine, riverines do not discuss their work ever..that is the nature of the group they are in..I know this because my oldest was a riverat he has since retired...Understand this is a very special group and believe me only the best get in so if your Eric makes it he is one of the best...As his mom do not expect him to tell you alot he is not going to he may say won't be around for a bit so accept that and don't ask questions even though you are going to want to...he will call when he gets back and that will be all again don't ask questions..you just have to support him and believe he is doing what he wants...God Bless