For a special report on the seminar, written by Col T.X. Hammes, see pp. While the Army and Air Force had lieutenant generals at the table in Riyadh, the Marine Corps had only a brigadier general on the CentCom J-3 staff. He was not allowed to sit at the table with the senior generals. This huge gap in componency had adverse effects on both the air and ground portions of the war. As noted in the special report, the componency issue proved to be a red flag for the Corps, and great strides have been made in those intervening 10 years.
Passivity is a death knell to institutions and programs.
This May issue of the Gazette focuses on Marine Corps aviation. Four articles address various aspects of the ongoing MV-22 Osprey controversy in the Marine Corps. Though the blue ribbon panel appointed by the Secretary of Defense was scheduled to report out at the end of April, we felt that it was important to provide our readers with both aviation department views and the views of former Marine helicopter pilots on this most important acquisition issue facing the Corps. Through it all the senior leaders have ensured that the Corps has a place at the table on this and other important issues impacting on our future. All rights reserved.