This summer the Corps will conduct its first Limited Objective Exercise (LOE), basically a testing for proof of concept, that will combine several revolutionary concepts its been working on the last few yrs.
1st) Sea Basing-which is the concept of combining the efforts of all 4 Branches to launch & sustain nearly all future combat, humanitarian, etc. missions from a flotilla of Naval & Civilian MPS shipping anywhere from 50-150miles out to sea.
This is a concept the Marines have been working on since the mid '90s. It will alleviate the months long burden of a large US build up in neighboring countries.
This involves (1) the headache of negotiating lopsided agreements w/neighboring countries, (2) the pain of the slow build up of Manpower & Equipment, (3) the eventual drawdown, & (4) the often overlooked & extremely expensive Force Protection Issues.
2nd) Enhanced Company Operations- this is the evolution of DO. Taking the gains fr/ the successful DO Concept of Squads & Platoons operating @ potentially extremely extended ranges, independently under Comp & Battln guidance.
ECO develops the Companies to handle this new authority & properly support these Dispersed Units while also operating @ extremely ext'd ranges.
Besides Company Level Ops & Intel Cells the Co's will also now have there own Scout & Reconnaissance Section that will be consist of 2 five-man teams. Its unknown to me at this time if the teams will be made up of 0321s (Recon) or 0317s (Scout/Snipers) or some mix of the 2.
3rd) A myriad of Unmanned Technologies including Unmanned Ground Vehicles -wheeled, UGV pack-animal quadraped, & various UAV & ISR platforms.
4th) Testing the possible Utility of attaching a 155mm Howitzer Plt w/each Company.
5th) A Data & Communications Network that will allow Platoons to communicate & exchange Data at ranges out to 150miles.
6th) Testing the Aviation Combat Element & Logistical Combat Element ability to support ext'd Companies & their maneuver units.
It will be conducted at Kahuku training range in Hawaii which was chosen due to its Mountainous terrain & dense vegetation to challenge the whole Concept of dispersion at those ranges.
To test the concept to its limits it will also be conducted against an active Red Cell opponent. |