Exploring the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF)

What amphibious capabilities are needed to support an effective MAGTF? Jean Malone:The capabilities required to support an effective MAGTF are the same for an amphibious operation as they are for any other. They revolve around the Warfighting Functions of Fires, Maneuver, Command and Control, Intelligence, Logistics and Force Protection. Enhanced MAGTF Operations (EMO) experimentation is designed to examine each of the Warfighting Functions as they apply to employing geographically distributed forces supported from the sea base in an expeditionary theater against a hybrid threat. MCWL employs established warfighting concepts such as Operational Maneuver From the Sea (OMFTS), Ship to Objective Maneuver (STOM), Sea Basing, Distributed Operations, Enhanced Company Operations (ECO) and now EMO to create experiment scenarios that enable us to identify capability gaps and examine potential solutions across the Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leader Development, Personnel and Facilities (DOTMLPF) spectrum. [eventPDF] What is the Experimentation group within the MCWF doing to get these capabilities ready? Jean Malone:MCWL's primary product is knowledge which informs combat development. Experiment Division conducts planning, execution, analysis and transition of concept-based experimentation and modeling and simulation initiatives in order to develop new tactics, techniques and procedures, recommend organizational and training enhancements and inform current acquisition programs. What are key considerations that need to be applied when determining a strategic EMO plan? Jean Malone: MCWL publishes an Experiment Campaign Plan (ECP) each year that looks out five years. The basis of each plan is an overarching concept that will be examined. Currently that concept is Enhanced MAGTF Operations. It's impossible to examine every aspect of a concept in one experiment. Consequently, each experiment has a focus that usually revolves around one or more of the Warfighting Functions. Individual Limited Objective Experiments (LOE) take key aspects of the Warfighting Functions affected by the concept and subject them to operational experimentation. This can involve new tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP), structures, equipment etc. designed to enable the forces conducting the experiment. For example; MCWL designed and trained experiment forces on the Company Level Operations Center, Company Level Intelligence Cell, Company Fire Support Coordination procedures, and individual skill sets for Marines. The infantry company structure was altered to design a Company Landing Team (CLT), a non-doctrinal configuration that facilitated distributed operations. Experiment forces were also equipped with communications technologies, robotics, sensors and weapons systems that provided capabilities that helped enable the units ability to operate using the concept being experimented with. Each concept is evaluated using the building block approach of LOEs followed in most cases by a capstone event. Additionally, certain TTPs and equipment are provided to operating forces for their deployments in theater. These Extended User Evaluations (EUE) result in feedback to MCWL which helps refine future experimentation and equipment. All these aspects of experimentation go into the design of the ECP. Last summer the Marines were to conduct an experimental amphibious operation to identify capability gaps. Briefly describe the experiment, and did it achieve its intended purpose? Explain how. Jean Malone:The capstone event of the Enhanced Company Operations (ECO) concept went in conjunction with the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in Hawaii during July of 2010. ECO LOE 4 was designed to examine a CLT operating from the sea base, conducting an over the horizon (OTH) insertion utilizing ship to object maneuver (STOM) against a hybrid threat in an expeditionary theater. The experiment scenario and the concepts chosen were representative of how the Marine Corps expects to fight on future battlefields and the TTPs, forces, and equipment provided included existing and potential capabilities that enabled operations. The CLT was structured based on an infantry company with an increased HQ and added Scout Section. Additionally, the Co had an attached artillery platoon of two howitzers. Command and control of the CLT (and HHQ) was enhanced with several experimental communications capabilities providing meshed network radios to the individual Marine level and long range SATCOM capability to platoons, Co and HHQ. The CLT was also provided several robotic systems that provided logistics, sensor and weapons capabilities. The CLT inserted from OTH using both air and surface means splitting the force between two widely separate locations. The terrain was complex consisting of heavy vegetation, steep inclines and several trails and minor roads. The threat varied from neutral civilians to hard core militants conducting conventional operations. The CLT operated for 96 hours in this environment utilizing the TTPs and equipment provided by MCWL. The results of the experiment showed that operating from the sea base using OTH and STOM is not only possible, but a viable way ahead for the Marine Corps. The experimental communications equipment performed beyond expectations, not only enabling the experiment, but perhaps providing a capability that can rapidly transition to the operating forces. The CLT structure was a success and the results have already been applied to the Force Structure Review Group recommendations and discussed within the Ground Combat Element Operational Analysis Group. The potential of an artillery platoon attached to a CLT was validated, but structure, fire support coordination and logistics questions remain. The robotic systems showed potential as well. The specific platforms utilized had limitations that made them of limited utility in the rough terrain but they also showed that the potential for increased use of robotics is there. The command and control relationships between the Special Purpose MAGTF, Battalion Landing Team and CLT require additional study and may call for different solutions depending on the tactical situation. Logistic support of the CLT ashore was a major gap. The ability of air to support the full needs of the CLT is limited due to the number of aircraft and extended distances. Additionally, the amount of supplies delivered to a foot mobile company renders it almost immobile immediately after the resupply. The need for water purification and a reduction in size and number of batteries required was evident. ECO LOE 4 set the stage for MCWL’s move to EMO experimentation. With the CLT providing the base unit structure, OTH, STOM and sea basing validated, MCWL will use this basis to examine capabilities and gaps associated with MAGTF's employing multiple CLT's ashore. Additionally, the logistics issues raised in ECO LOE 4 have led to experimentation with water purification and energy reduction technologies along with examination of a Logistics Landing Team to support CLTs ashore.

Exploring the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF)

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