Royal Marines – 40 Commando is currently on R+R. It will take them some time to get their kit sorted and made ready for operations in Afghanistan.

• The Times: Marines enjoy sunshine before storm

US Coast Guard – The US Coast Guard will be acquiring the services of 5 of the US Navy’s coastal patrol boats, to use for off shore patroling.

• Virginian Pilot: Coast Guard getting five patrol boats from Navy
  

US Navy – Former Secretary of the Navy James Webb’s opinion on how the US should proceed.

• US Naval Institute Proceedings: Go after Them and Eliminate Them
  

Background – Strategy – The current strategic view, from the United Kingdom – are we currently headed for a large land campaign?

• Daily Telegraph: Army set for cold war
• Sunday Times: Thousands of troops in big Afghan push ‘within weeks’