Building II MEF shared understanding with Navy counterparts > United States Marine Corps Flagship > News Display
Tori J. Ross
2 min read
Over the past few months, MAGTF II Marine Expeditionary Force personnel have had the unique opportunity to train and brief United States Navy officers on the United States Navy Amphibious Warfare Course as well as Centers of development of surface warfare and mine warfare as part of the Amphibious Warfare Tactics Instructor Course from August to September 2022.
Naval officers, participating in SAWOC, were guided through tours that included discussions of combat concepts and tactics, introduced to II MEF capabilities, and how they are developed and used in support of the Force Design 2030 service level initiative. The focus of these types of training opportunities was to build a shared understanding and further develop integration between Marine Corps and Navy counterparts.
“The tour provides the foundation of amphibious doctrine, skills, training, and practical application to ship’s executive officers, commanders, and amphibious squadron commodores.” US Navy Commander. Tabitha Edwards, Course Manager, SAWOC, Amphibious Warfare Department
Personnel participating in the AWTI course visited various facilities, namely Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Stations New River and Cherry Point to observe a variety of ground and aviation static displays. U.S. Marine Corps operators, maintainers and planners were on hand to explain the current and future capabilities that equipment and vehicles can provide to the fleet.
Main events included a static display of the infantry battalion fire team with their respective weapon systems, as well as an introduction to the ground combat unit organization, associated weapons and vehicles . Additionally, static aviation displays at air stations included a variety of rotating and tilt-rotor platforms, including the CH-53E, MV-22B, UH-1Y, and AH-1Z, to further reinforce the way which Navy officers can incorporate the capabilities of the aviation combat element into their own planning considerations – capabilities that can further extend the range and lethality of the joint force.
Navy personnel visited II MEF and subordinate commands in separate three-day iterations, which benefited them and allowed them to lay the groundwork for integrating Marine Corps concepts and capabilities into their own planning processes. As they return to the surface and amphibious fleet, the intent is for Navy leaders to apply their basic understanding to further enable the joint force, while also opening up Marine Corps capabilities to tackle sets dynamic and unique issues in the 21st century security environment.
Edwards went on to talk about how this knowledge will help Force Design 2030 and naval integration, “it is essential to understand our current capabilities. Technology gives us a solid foundation in doctrine and practical knowledge to thrive in the dynamic blue-green environment of naval integration.
The opportunity presented to Navy leaders who participated in SAWOC and AWTI brings II MEF closer to continuously improving understanding and knowledge within the joint force and officer corps of the amphibious community of the Navy, increasing future planning and coordination efforts, planning that will be integral to the current competitive environment and future warfare.
