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Subject: Elements of the SC-MAGTF Begin Global Operations
SCCOMarine 12/1/2008 1:30:01 PM

The SC MAGTF was a Strategy put forward by the Marine Corps in conjunction w/the Navy & Coast Guard to stem the tide of Global Extremism by denying them the access to Safe Havens in Failed or Failing States. This Strategy calls for Small Detachments of Marines to be Continuously Forward Deployed throughtout Areas that are known Hot Spots & to work w/ these Failed or Failing States to promote Nation Building through the development of Strong Military ties. Working in close Coordination w/the US State Dept, Federal Agencies, & Sister Services (Army & Air Force) these Detachments will Design & Conduct Bi & Multi-lateral Military Training Programs, Build Infrastructure (roads, schools, hospitals), Provide Humanitarian Assistance & Medical Aid. These Small Detachments will be MAGTFs and therefore Expeditionary in Nature & Self-Sufficient. This will allow the SC MAGTF's Detachments to become the Launching Pad & Home Base for these various Governmental Agencies & Armed Services to conduct their business fr/ a well supported Expeditionary Platform leaving behind a very small footprint. These MAGTFs are equipped similarly to a MEU(SOC) and have a paralell Work-Up Cycle and will be capable of everything fr/various Security Operations to Full-Spectrum Combat as well as the Authorization to conduct various Reconnaissance & Surveillance Missions and Limited Special Operations. The SC MAGTF will provide this continuing presence through three main legs: 1st the Forward Deployed MEU(SOC). 2nd the yet to beformed SC MAGTF GCE; the reinforced Inf BN to be dipsersed. 3rd the Marine Corps Training & Advisory Group (MCTAG) who will be responsible for Liason, Coordinating, & Designing the Missions of the SC MAGTF along w/the HQ Element. I'll be adding Articles involving the continuing development of this growing capability.

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SCCOMarine The MCTAG The 1st Of The 2 New Legs To Go Operational 12/1/2008 1:35:51 PM

Nicaraguan Ambassador Embraces Marine Training

Marines Train Nicaraguan Special Forces

11/12/2008 By Staff Sgt. Jose L. Garcia, Marine Forces Command

SAN JUAN DEL SUR, Nicaragua —

The U.S. ambassador to Nicaragua, Robert J. Callahan, recently praised trainer-advisors from Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group (MCTAG) during an awards ceremony held Oct. 31 in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua.

The event culminated in the presentation of tan belts and certificates in recognition of the successful completion of a two-week Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and Scout Swimming Operations course the Marines provided to 23 Nicaraguan Special Forces soldiers.

In addition to the awards presentation, the ambassador participated in a promotion ceremony for Staff Sgt. Daniel Barnes, a MCTAG subject matter expert.

"The team from MCTAG has done a superb job," Callahan declared. "After watching the Nicaraguans demonstrate what they have learned after just two weeks, I can tell this type of collaboration of military forces is both useful and productive."

"I am extremely pleased to share my first trip to San Juan del Sur with the Nicaraguan Naval Force," he added. "The Nicaraguan armed forces are close allies with the government of the United States in combating common threats such as drug trafficking, natural disasters, organized crime and human trafficking."

During the ceremony the Nicaraguan forces demonstrated several MCMAP techniques and conducted a small craft beach landing.

"There was nothing easy about this training," said Sgt. Jose Huete, a squad leader for the Nicaraguan Special Forces. "It cost us a lot of pain and sweat; the Marines got everything out of us," he said. "They made us work hard, very hard, but it was well worth it and I was willing to do whatever it took to graduate and get my certificate."

Huete and his 22 comrades are the first soldiers in the Nicaraguan military to receive this type of training. This is all part of MCTAG's growing mission to improve the combat readiness of partner nations.

"This is just the beginning of a long-lasting relationship," said Cpl. Michael Keevil, MCTAG trainer-advisor. "Combating terrorism requires total cooperation and extensive training. The Nicaraguans understand that; that's why they've asked us to come back."

While the training took just two short weeks, the planning and coordination took much longer. That's where U.S. Marine Corps Forces South came in.

"MARFORSOUTH was an integral part of the success of this mission," said Lt. Col. John Robinson, officer in charge of the MCTAG training team. "They laid the groundwork for this endeavor and paved the way for smooth and easy execution."

"This was a great turnout and all the feedback has been very positive," added U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael C. Regan, the Marine Forces South Military Group Commander for the Nicaraguan military. "Of all the other militaries they could have asked for training, they asked the U.S. Marines. If they didn't like us, they wouldn't invite us back to conduct more training."

Callahan agreed this exercise brought both countries closer together and helped establish an enduring relationship.

"This type of training really helps both the Americans and Nicaraguans understand each other better," Callahan said. "It's very important to continue training with the Nicaraguans and I complement all of those involved in this."

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http://www.marines.mil/units/marforcom/PublishingImages/2008/Ambassador%20with%20MCTAG.jpg" width="810" height="540" alt="" />

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longrifle 12/1/2008 1:59:51 PM

I know the MEU(SOC) is commanded by a Colonel and that the ground combat element is a Battalion Landing Team. So, if this MAGTF is smaller than a MEU(SOC), I assume that makes the ground combat element a company? A Rienforced company?

Is this MAGTF commanded by a Major? A Lieutenant Colonel?

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SCCOMarine 12/1/2008 4:47:57 PM

Is this MAGTF commanded by a Major? A Lieutenant Colonel?

The name of the overall Concept is taken fr/the MAGTF that is formed fr/, the reinforced INF BN; which will form into the Comp & Plt Sized DETs that will disperse throughout a particular Theater. These reinforced INF BNs will be set up similarly to that of the BLT but w/much more emphasis on Light, Organic, Expeditionary capabilities than the BLT of the MEU(SOC). Also the Operational Support (Air, Log, HQ, etc) will also be spread throughout the Theater to best support a cross Theater capability, not neccessarily co-located w/each of the GCE Dets.

The MEU(SOC) & the actual SC MAGTF will be on Offset Rotational Cycles. Meaning that when the MEU is at its peak the SC MAGTF will be in its transitional/rotation period during which the MEU takes over its Operational duties.

The SC MAGTF DETs will be the Primary Training & Sec. Unit, however the MEU(SOC) will have offer capabilities that it is uniquely suited.

The MCTAGs, each commanded by a (O-5) LtColonel, will be the responsible for Liason w/the host country's & turning their Security needs into Training Programs, Infrastructure needs, or HumAid to be conducted by the DETs or MEU.

Now to your Question, the Marine Corps does not like HeadQuarters on top of HQ on HQ, but prefers fluid command relationships.

The SC MAGTFs commanded by LtCols, MCTAGs also commanded by LtCols, & the MEU(SOC)s commanded by (O-6) Colonels. None of the 3 are in each others Command Structure but fluidly share roles & borrow each others Tactical Units depending on the situation or the particular Contingency.

All 3 fall under the direct Operational Control of the 3-Star Marine Theater Component Commander who coordinates their activities w/that of Theater Cmdr & other Gov't Agencies based largely off the recommendations of the MCTAG.

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SCCOMarine A little about the course taught 12/2/2008 4:22:29 PM

Nicaraguan Ambassador Embraces Marine Training

Marines Train Nicaraguan Special Forces

11/12/2008 By Staff Sgt. Jose L. Garcia, Marine
Forces Command

SAN JUAN DEL SUR, Nicaragua —

The U.S. ambassador to Nicaragua, Robert J.
Callahan, recently praised trainer-advisors from Marine Corps Training and
Advisory Group (MCTAG) during an awards ceremony held Oct. 31 in San Juan Del
Sur, Nicaragua.

The event culminated in the presentation of tan
belts and certificates in recognition of the successful completion of a two-week
Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and Scout Swimming Operations course the
Marines provided to 23 Nicaraguan Special Forces soldiers...

Marine Scout Swimmers Move Undectected

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan (April 2, 2006) -- Cloaked by night and veiled in silence, a squad of warriors moved undetected through Kin Bay. With deliberate actions, the squad promptly secured the beach before sending an ?all clear? report back to a ship waiting 25 miles off the coastline.

The ship was imaginary. The cold waters, stealthy tactics and exhaustion were not. The warriors swam through cold waters till their bodies cramped and shivered as III Marine Expeditionary Force?s Special Operations Training Group conducted at various Okinawan beaches.

The Marines and sailors learned the intricacies of movement without detection as the course?s curriculum spotlighted clandestine insertion.

?Clandestine insertion is usually used at night when helicopter insertion is impossible,? said Sgt. Joseph L. Mills, an amphibious raid instructor with SOTG. ?It?s usually done on a secluded beach out of enemy sight.?

During the initial phases of the course, instructors gave classroom instructions covering such topics as hazardous marine life and equipment maintenance. After more than 10 hours of classroom instruction, the group moved to the Okinawan coastline.

As the course unfolded at a secluded beach near Kin Blue, the students found themselves in the water more often than not. On March 29, the students moved through water so calm it seemed to be made of glass. Their slow and methodical movements left ripples invisible to the naked eye in the water.

?In calm weather, you don?t have the sound of waves breaking to conceal your noise,? Mills said. ?This is why we try to avoid urban coastlines in actual missions.?

Man-made structures usually stop waves in urban environments, Mills stated.

The group moved to an urban training environment during the seventh day of training at Kin Red Pier, explained Sgt. Bart P. Dellinger, the senior amphibious raid instructor with SOTG.

The scout-swimmers were subjected to 2,800 meter swims with backpacks in tow throughout the course.

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SCCOMarine 12/9/2008 2:33:23 PM

MCTAG, ACOTA Team Up To Train Cameroonian Forces

By Staff Sgt. Jose L. Garcia, MCTAG Public Affairs

Marines from Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group, and instructors from the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance Program teamed up again in Africa to train Cameroonian soldiers.

Two months after providing training to the Rwandan Defense Forces in Africa, MCTAG Marines (in support of Marine Forces Africa) and ACOTA instructors (in conjunction with the Cameroonian soldiers) recently conducted another week-long command post exercise in Ngaoundere, Cameroon.

The intent of the exercise was to prepare a newly formed Cameroonian unit, 1st Cameroonian Peacekeeping Battalion (CAMBAT 1), for a peacekeeping operation mission. The soldiers for CAMBAT 1 were selected from different regions of the country.

?It was just a random selection for these soldiers,? said Rich Thibodeau, senior trainer for ACOTA program. ?It?s not for certain which country CAMBAT1 will deploy to, but regardless it?s important for them to receive this type of training. It will be a good mission for them; a good opportunity to help police their own people.?

?They were hand-selected and pulled from across the entire Cameroonian military?s apparatus,? said Maj. Craig A. Wolfenbarger, MCTAG Africa operations officer. ?So it?s not like they are a cohesive staff that has been working together for some time. A lot of the process and procedures are very new to them.?

The ultimate goal of the MCTAG/ACOTA team was to properly prepare the Cameroonian soldiers for action in a peacekeeping environment.

?This is their first peacekeeping deployment, so we add as much realism as possible,? said Capt. Jason S. Brigadier, a trainer-advisor with MCTAG. ?We implement a wide range of scenarios into the exercise to familiarize them with the various situations they may encounter during their deployment.?

The challenging scenarios for CAMBAT1 were introduced through master event scenario list injections. These are hypothetical events designed to test response capabilities during unforeseen circumstances.

Once the communications section in the headquarters received a MESL injection, the information was immediately conveyed to the battalion commander, his staff and communicators within and between participating battalion headquarters.

?We employ different MESL injections to see how quickly and accurately they can respond to them,? Thibodeau explained. ?The purpose of the injections is to simulate operational or logistical incidents to stimulate the staff to react quickly and pass on the information to all the communication shops.?

?We also want to see what kind of follow-up the battalion staff will provide,? Thibodeau added.

The simulated exercise also tested the CAMBAT1 staff officers? abilities to establish a strong presence in the entire area of operation, and aggressively respond to acts of violence or potential violence with decisive combat power to neutralize threats.

?The three primary functions I wanted to point out to the commander and his staff were ?don?t anticipate, react quickly and always conduct a follow-up,?? said Thibodeau. ?They need to find out if any additional support is needed.?

Their objective was to conduct area security operations to protect Internally Displaced Persons camps and non-governmental organization installations, and secure main roads to allow humanitarian assistance to flow to those in need.

CAMBAT1?s toughest challenges were random scenarios ranging from crowd riots, convoy ambushes and vehicle breakdowns to NGO attacks, shortage of fuel, improvised explosive device attacks and medical evacuation.

?At the end of each day, we noticed improvement in how they would critique themselves,? Wolfenbarger said. ?The impact was obviously significant in regards to preparing the battalion for potential deployment in support of United Nations peacekeeping operations here in Africa.?

The most significant impact is it greatly enhanced their ability to ?command and control their forces and conduct operational training,? Wolfenbarger added.

?The presence of the U.S. Marines in uniform here helping us train the Cameroonians is a good symbol and shows our commitment to them,? said Thibodeau. ?The Cameroonians hope this training doesn?t stop here and continues so it can establish a strong relationship between the two nations. One day they hope to work alongside the Marines in a real world situa

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