Team Trident is headed for the Pacific! We’ll be studying the epic WWII Central Pacific theater campaign for the Marianas, Operation FORAGER, which began 15 June 1944, one week after D-Day at Normandy, France. The key island targets of the Marianas were Saipan, Guam, and Tinian. In the Pacific, the attainment of this island group was the apex up to that point of the war, the desired end-state during a year’s advance through the smaller island atolls in the Central Pacific…the Gilbert and Marshall Island groups. Once the Americans reached the Marianas, the American Forces moved far forward, regrouped, and pushed ahead. The next target was homeland Japan.

This campaign is a decisive one for our battle-study in that it represents the end of the “old world” and the beginning of the new, on many levels. And, of course, it was from here that the atomic era began. We have a stout mission list, with some clear objectives to achieve. If we are successful, we should come away filling many voids in history.

I will try to post updates on our progress from the islands, as time and energy allow, but will certainly file reports upon our return.

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11 March 2010

Aloha from Honolulu! It’s a tough job but, TeamTrident is here enduring sunshine, 80 degrees, gorgeous blue water, and view of Diamondhead from the beach at Waikiki. Our small expedition team of five is relaxing and settling in to the rhythm of the islands, briefing up for Trident’s Expedition Pacific.

Tomorrow we go to Pearl Harbor to visit USS Arizona and USS Missouri. Together they represent the beginning and the end of the War for the US. They also represent the end old and the beginning of the new world for the US as we now know it. In the meantime, it is my job to make sure the team is prepared and, for now, that means some high quality relaxation in Waikiki!

Our hotel is my favorite in Waikiki, the Outrigger Resort. The hotel and staff are first rate. But downstairs is Duke’s, the restaurant and “barefoot bar” named for Duke Kohanamoku, the legendary surfer, global ambassador, and Olympic Gold winning swimmer. This is the place to be in Waikiki.

Aloha!

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12 March 2010

What an outstanding day. Our first-time Pacific travelers got to visit the Arizona Memorial, then we all rendezvoused at USS Missouri. She’s an impressive ship in so many ways, and would still be one of the fastest ships in the fleet. She still shows the dent in her side from the hit by a Japanese Kamikazi. And keep in mind that WWII came to its end on her deck, with the surrender ceremony of 2 September 1945, and Gen. MacArthur’s words, “Let us pray that peace be now restored to the world, and that God will preserve it always. These proceedings are closed.”

We also spent the afternoon at the outstanding and relatively new Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island. They have some rare examples of already rare planes, including actual combat veterans from the Pacific. We enjoyed the folks working and volunteering at the museum, who were always present and ready to discuss. There’s a lot of passion here. We were also privileged to visit the restoration hanger, which is inside one of the original hangers which still shows bullet holes from attacking Japanese planes on December 7^th, 1941.

 An outstanding day. Next stop, Saipan. I am so eager to see my dear friends again, and fired up about the missions the team has planned. But before we depart tomorrow, we will go up into the hills and visit the beautiful Punchbowl Cemetery, which is the cemetery of the Pacific. One of our team members, now an Army Lt. Colonel, served as a member of the Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington, and this will be his first visit to the Punchbowl. In addition to WWII service personnel buried there, but a crew member from the Challenger disaster, and others. But perhaps the most stunning stone to see is one of the many that says, “Unknown December 7, 1941.”

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14 March 2010

Hafa Adai from Saipan, in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas! Wow, it’s great to be here. After crossing the dateline, we arrived this evening, and are firmly established in our expedition headquarters, the Pacific Islands Club. This is the place to stay, more like an island resort…a water park, and outstanding eats. The AC certainly works well! It also happens to sit on one of the landing beaches of the 4^th Marine Division.

Xterra Saipan was just here this weekend. Wish we’d been here to see it. There are still plenty of participants here. Some will be here for next weekend’s race, the Tagaman (Ironman named for the historical Taga family) I wish I had my bike out here.

Great to be back! Great also to see my old friend Gordon Marciano with PDI, Pacific Development Inc., the consummate professional and a brother.

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15 March 2010

Hafa Adai. Today was an overview day, seeing the sights, following the battle in macro, from the landing beaches studying the amphibious assault, and following the advance inland. There is something fascinating about standing on the historic Japanese pier built and used for the sugar industry that existed here in the 1930’s, and into the war years. Inland, we found the one surviving structure of the Japanese sugar mill, that signature landmark when the Marines landed.

We also spent some time around the B-29 airbase named Isley Field, with some pretty interesting finds uncovered in the area. This afternoon, we got a head start searching for the infamous coconut grove strongpoint that held the two Marine divisions apart for days during the battle. I think we’ve got it pinned. This is big. Some incredible views. Getting close. I’ll write up a report on this later. The whole area is undeveloped too. It’s like going back in time.

I notice that my posts are already getting shorter. It’s all I can do to find time for this once the team breaks for the night!

A great, rewarding day.

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16 March 2010

Hafa Adai and Tirow!

Another overview day today, though we did delve into some off-the-beaten path sites that even I had never seen before. Going up to the high ground for a new view of the operations area, we discovered a bunker with a communications trench out the back and, sure enough, a large cave below it on the hillside. As I forewarned the guys, we did come across some Japanese ordnance.

The weather is gorgeous! It’s humid, of course. But we could not ask for better…and we’re geting plenty of sun! Discussions are excellent. Everyone is fully immersed. What is so special about Saipan is that you can stay in such a comfortable, relaxing hotel, enjoy that phenomenal buffet breakfast, and in just a few minutes, be deep in a different world, back into history. Then, in the afternoon, when you’re worn out, you go back to your HQ and hit the pool or swim in the ocean. Not bad.

Tomorrow we get busy with our first full-on mission. The guys were asking how I’m going to top this tomorrow. We’ll see.

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17 March 2010

We made a pretty stunning discovery today…what has to be a headquarters cave for one of a couple of senior commanders. In fact, it is in the Navy Sector. The question is, how early. This thing is a different animal altogether. An incredible find.  

But then this afternoon, we tackled one of our key missions, investigating a strongpoint pinpointed by the 2^nd Marine Division. A challenge to approach today, highlighting the difficulties of a Marine company trying to deal with this. We sketched it out and tagged it with the GPS. And this one requires follow-up. Perhaps a mission for next year’s expedition team! Again I’m asked how I’m going to top this day tomorrow.

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18 March

Today we tackled Death Valley and Hell’s Pocket. This was unbelievable. This strongpoint held up the Army’s 27^th Infantry Division for a week. It has far more “depth” than I was previously aware. This was a bad, bad place. Much to be written up on this. We also visited part of Purple Heart Ridge and found out about some positions there to be investigated. But we just couldn’t take that on today.

And, this afternoon, the big find. We were in the coconut grove. We found it, and located some closed-up caves and undulating ground that seems to suggest something underneath. Much more work needed here, but this is a massive find historically. I’ll have to get back and report this to the veterans and gather more specific recollections for our return so we can get to the details. We decided we need ground-penetrating radar!

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19 March

Tinian! A great flight over to Tinian and day there, visiting primarily the B-29 facilities around North Field, the atomic bomb pits, and so forth. But we also succeeded I think in tagging the scene of the Japanese first-night tank counter-attack, with our first-person veteran accounts of the action in hand. The flight back to Saipan, and the approach to Isley Field, was so poignant. Next year, I think I’ll schedule a flight around the islands just for the tour. It’s worth it.

You just cannotbelieve, much less describe, how blue the ocean is…deep, saturated hues. Just incredible. And we went over to the NE side of the island to the blowholes in the black coral outcroppings along the shore, gazing across the ocean at Saipan, three miles away. It’s an amazing experience.

This afternoon, we swam out to one of the Sherman tanks still out in the lagoon. A good dinner again down at the Galley here at the PIC. Good food and great fellowship. Exhausted! It’s all I can do to find time to upload the daily tracks with the Garmin.

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20 March

Our final day on Saipan. We spent the day with Genevieve, a hard-charging historian who used to work with the Historic Preservation Office here who shared some of her discoveries with us. Some rugged climbs to get to some of these caves, but some clear evidence of who was there. Tonight is dinner with the family of our gracious host.

Lots of triathlon athletes here for the Tagaman race, which started this morning, just outside the hotel on the beach.

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21 March

Welcome to Guam! Again, the Outrigger here is gorgeous. Tons of military personnel currently on island, occupying the hotels. 

There is talk of bringing Trident Leadership back out to the Marianas this summer with at least one veteran for a speaking engagement. I’d like that very much.

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22 March

Today we visited the landing beaches and discussed the amphibious assault in general. The key to the day, however, was the visit to the Museum of the Pacific run by Marine John Gerber. It’s been several years since I last saw John and he has done an outstanding job.

Tomorrow, we fly back to Honolulu.

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23 March (Part II)

Welcome back to Paradise! What a gorgeous day. We kicked off our day with a hike up to the turn of the century fire direction center in the top of Diamondhead. There’s a memorable view. Now, we’re heading out for the ocean, with dinner at Duke’s tonight.

If I could make it back out here next month…I wouldn’t mind it.

Lot’s of follow-up to be done on our expedition…new debriefs with veterans, additional research, and Expedition Pacific 2011! I’ll write up some reports on our findings once we’re back at Trident Headquarters. So long for now.

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“How can I take part in one of these expeditions?” 

If you are interested in taking a tour, then we will be glad to refer you to one of the tour companies that are in business to do just that. If, however, you want to be part of  a mission-oriented team, heading out to study leadership and do historical research on the ground, the contact us to apply for a slot in the next team. Next up…The Pacific 2011. We would be glad to hear from you.