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United States Marines and the Pacific Basin enjoy an enduring and special relationship – a relationship that has taken on new significance in the 21st century.
Historically, America has chosen to “send in the Marines” during times of crisis in the Pacific, confident in the Marines’ high state of readiness and tradition of success. From Pacific beachheads during World War II to combat in Korea and Vietnam; in disaster relief operations in countries such as Bangladesh, the Philippines and Japan; to peacekeeping operations in East Timor; and to the more than 260 training exercises conducted throughout the 100-million square mile U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR), the U.S. Marine Corps has proudly built upon its amphibious heritage. The Marines’ presence in the Asia-Pacific region – currently called Marine Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC) – has helped inspire confidence and security in the region, thereby facilitating the region’s dynamic economic growth.
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U. S. Marine combat cargo is rushed ashore by an LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion) during an amphibious assault exercise off the coast of Okinawa, Japan.
Photo by PH1(NAC) Spike Call, USN |
Pacific-based Marines have always been shaped by an expeditionary mindset. Operating as self-sufficient, task-organized, air, ground and logistics teams, Marine units can come from the sea and deploy significant forces in a hostile environment without any need for nearby bases.
Above all, the Marines are an elite, selective, and adaptable organization, known for successfully meeting the new challenges. Even during the Cold War, the Corps never focused exclusively on one threat nor relied on a massive overseas base infrastructure.
Today, more than 75,000 Marines under MARFORPAC are based throughout the U.S. Pacific Command’s AOR, from the U.S. West Coast through the Indian Ocean. This represents two-thirds of the Corps’ operational forces. The basing of this significant number of Marines in one region also demonstrates America’s understanding of the Pacific Basin’s importance to America’s future.
As the U.S. moves forward into the new millennium, MARFORPAC will remain its forward-deployed ‘9-1-1’* expeditionary force in the Pacific and Indian Ocean Basins, ready to respond to a
*Editor’s note: ‘9-1-1’ refers to the standard telephone number used in the United States to call for emergency assistance.
wide range of potential crises. MARFORPAC strives to remain an adaptable force, ready to respond to changing realities and embracing new tactics, techniques and technologies – yet all the while holding fast to the warrior tradition and esprit-de-corps that have been the hallmark of the Corps since its inception.
Global Responsibility – Regional Flexibility
MARFORPAC is the senior Marine headquarters in the Pacific and is the Marine component of the U.S. Pacific Command. The Commander, MARFORPAC (COMMARFORPAC) reports directly to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command (USCINCPAC). MARFORPAC is also the largest field command in the U.S. Marine Corps. Its headquarters is based at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, co-located with the USCINCPAC and his headquarters.
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U.S. Marines race to their positions during an amphibious landing exercise in Australia.
Photo by Sr. Amn. Blaze Lipowski, USAF |
As the Marine component, COMMARFORPAC provides trained and equipped forces to USCINCPAC, sustains those forces, and advises USCINCPAC on the proper deployment and employment of those forces.
As the Corps’ only deployable component headquarters, MARFORPAC must be ready to deploy throughout the Pacific-Indian Ocean Basins in support of USCINCPAC, with all or part of the headquarters staff.
Additional Responsibilities
MARFORPAC is also the Marine component for U.S. Forces Korea, which in turn would support the combined war-fighting command, Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (ROK-U.S. CFC). Upon deployment to the Korean peninsula, COMMARFORPAC would join his staff with the ROK Marine Corps’ staff to form the Combined Marine Forces Command. COMMARFORPAC would serve as the commander of this combined force, with the Commandant, ROK Marine Corps serving as his deputy.
Additionally, COMMARFORPAC is designated the Marine component commander for U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM). USCENTCOM is responsible for helping to ensure peace and stability in Southwest Asia, the Arabian Gulf/Arabian Sea, the Red Sea and Horn of Africa. One of the most important challenges MARFORPAC faces in the USCENTCOM region is helping to ensure uninterrupted access to energy resources from that region. Arabian Gulf oil currently accounts for 64 percent of the world’s reserves and 26 percent of the world’s annual fuel production.
In addition to these Marine component responsibilities, COMMARFORPAC also serves as Commander, Fleet Marine Forces Pacific, which provides combat-ready Marine units for expeditionary service with the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Critical aviation links with the Navy are also served through this relationship.
COMMARFORPAC also serves as Commander, Marine Corps Bases Pacific, overseeing the major Marine Corps installations in Japan and in the U.S. states of Arizona, California and Hawaii. Dual command of the operational forces and their supporting installations ensures excellent unity of effort for such issues as mobilization and employment for contingencies, disaster response, and prioritization of military construction and other major funding programs.
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