Photo Gallery Summer 2001.html

In the hands of those Marines are many new weapons and other essential elements of ground combat and communications equipment that provide for improved efficiency, lethality and capability. Among these new weapons and systems are:

The Lightweight 155 millimeter Howitzer, slated to replace the aging M-198 Towed Howitzer as the only cannon system in the Marine Corps’ inventory. It has greater range than the current Howitzer and weighs significantly less, making it easier to transport via MV-22 Osprey or by the new Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR). Its lighter weight, automated features and digital fire control will give the MAGTF Commander much greater operational and tactical flexibility, while increasing the lethality, responsiveness and efficiency of artillery units. This weapon will significantly improve artillery ship-to-shore and across-the-beach movement.

A U.S. Marine F/A-18 Hornet prepares to refuel over the Pacific during an exercise.

Photo by PH1 Spike Call, USN

The Advanced Assault Amphibian Vehicle, or AAAV, in conjunction with the new amphibious ships, the MV-22 and the Landing Craft Air-Cushioned, or LCAC, will allow the Corps to conduct a wide array of amphibious operations. The AAAV can drive through the sea at 25 knots, compared to 8 knots of the current assault amphibious vehicle. On land, the AAAV can keep up with the M1-A1 tank and is much more survivable than its predecessor.

MARFORPAC is in the process of building a state-of-the-art Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) system to support its decision-making process. It is acquiring two highly-mobile satellite information systems platforms: The Super-High-Frequency Tri-Band Advanced Range Extension Terminal, or Star-T, and the Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical Terminal, or SMART-T. Both of these HMMWV vehicle-mounted systems provide secure, highly mobile voice and data links which will provide the connectivity needed to ensure the success of Operational Maneuver from the Sea operations.

The Corps is also fielding Global Broadcast Service equipment, which will give MAGTF commanders extremely high-capacity broadcast reception capabilities, an important capability where the timely flow of information is essential to operational success.

On Sea.

The U.S. military continues to upgrade its amphibious assault capability. The Navy’s LHD-7 and LPD-17 programs represent the next generation of amphibious shipping designed to replace the current amphibious fleet. These new ships are critical to operations within the USCINCPAC’s largely maritime AOR, and to MARFORPAC’s ability to support the national security strategy. Sea-based forces provide force projection capabilities that cannot be achieved by strategic airlift in large parts of this AOR. These new ships will have greatly improved C4I and air-cushion vehicle support facilities which significantly improve survivability.

U.S. and Royal Thai Marines operate together during the cross training phase of a combined Thai-U.S. field training exercise.

Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo

Marines in the 21st Century

MARFORPAC Marines are aggressively maintaining their legacy of innovation, and are looking at long-term improvements to amphibious and littoral warfare capabilities. The Marine Corps of the 21st Century places a high premium on education, improved training and modern technology – equipping the modern Marine, rather than manning the modern equipment.

MARFORPAC is working to improve its ability to disperse systems and forces, mass the effects of those forces with increased precision, increase its mobility and develop new tactics in anticipation of new threat capabilities, as well as improving its battlefield communications and technologies.

It has begun re-engineering many of its core logistics functions such as information technology, equipment readiness reporting, supply distribution and combat service support. This will provide the MAGTF commander with a flexible, responsive and consistent logistics capability which complements the Operational Maneuver from the Sea and the Ship-to-Objective Maneuver war-fighting concepts.

Operational Maneuver from the Sea is the Marine Corps’ central war-fighting concept for the 21st century. It represents a determined commitment on the part of the entire Navy-Marine Corps team to dramatically improve its power projection capability. It combines high technology and maneuver warfare with the advantages of sea-basing to outmaneuver and out-gun any potential adversary.

This sea power projection capability is dependent on speed, mobility, precision strike capability, sea basing and responsiveness. Through the improvements in weapons and information technology mentioned earlier, and the “Warrior Series” of battle experiments which seek to extend the littoral battlespace, the Marine Corps is taking Operational Maneuver from the Sea into the 21st century.

One aspect of the Marines that will not change in the 21st Century is their enduring and close relationship with friends and allies throughout the Asia-Pacific region. U.S. Marines will continue to train with counterparts throughout the theater, and work together in crisis situations to ensure continued peace, stability and prosperity in the vital Pacific region.