By Robbin Laird

During my visit to MAWTS-1 in November 2023, I had a chance to talk with Maj Scott Mahaffey, the Department Head for the Ground Combat Department.

Maj Mahaffey has been at MAWTS for three years but prior to that has had a number of deployments, including Afghanistan, with an SP-MAGTF, which involved operations in Africa, and participation in a number of exercises such as Trident Juncture in Norway in 2018, the first exercise with the Indians, in the Tiger Triumph Exercise, and exercises in the Philippines.

His background provided a very good preparation for taking on the demanding task of working the training of the GCE as it works its transition from more traditional ground operations associated with the land wars to a wider range of force insertion missions.

According to Mahaffey: “Predominantly our portion of WTI we call our Air Assault and Fires Integration course. It is a heavy flavor from a ground and ACE perspective of how to execute air assaults from battalion sized raid to a platoon-sized lift. The fires integration piece at least from our student’s perspective is focused on fires integration with air-delivered weapons and how they can mesh and integrate with ground fires not necessarily in the close in battlespace but in the deep enclosed battlespace.

“Our students are typically captains at the company level, some senior enlisted, gunnies or master sergeants, with a sprinkling of lieutenants. They have focused on how to accomplish a company objective with close in fires, and we focus on training to give them knowledge of fires support at higher echelon support. We are focused on training which enhances their knowledge of the broader battlespace and how F-35 or HIMARS fires provide support for a broader engagement in the battlespace.”

When I was last at MAWTS in 2020, there was significant concern with deploying Marines to remote locations, even if new longer-range weapons will come on line in the next few years, with the question of fires authorities. In the MAGTF construct, the question of who gives fires authority is clear; in the new direction to have smaller groups of Marines deployed throughout the battlespace, that question is not yet resolved.

The other issue is that GCE is training in the absence of the longer-range weapons which are not yet in place. They are using data from weapons development efforts, a step up from briefing slides, to work with notional weapons, NEMESIS being a case in point.

The challenge facing the GCE is seen in this USMC 2021 description of NEMESIS.

The Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System successfully hit its target in support of Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, during Large Scale Exercise 21 Aug. 15, 2021. The exercise showcased the U.S. maritime forces’ ability to deliver lethal, integrated all-domain naval power.

LSE 21 was a live, virtual and constructive scenario-driven, globally-integrated exercise with activities spanning 17 time zones. LSE 21 applied and assessed developmental warfighting concepts that will define how the future Navy and Marine Corps compete, respond to crises, fight and win in conflict.

The Marine Corps’ NMESIS will provide the Marine Littoral Regiment with ground based anti-ship capability to facilitate sea denial and control while persisting within the enemy’s weapons engagement-zone, and LSE 21 provided a venue for the program team to validate some of those concepts.

“This scenario is representative of the real-world challenges and missions the Navy and Marine Corps will be facing together in the future,” said Brig. Gen. A.J. Pasagian, commander of Marine Corps Systems Command. “This exercise also provided an opportunity for us to work alongside our service partners to refine Force Design 2030 modernization concepts.”

 SINKEX, the exercise scenario involving NMESIS, provided a testing environment for new and developing technologies to connect, locate, identify, target and destroy adversary threats in all domains, culminating in the live-fire demonstration of the naval strike missile against a sea-based target. During the exercise, forward-deployed forces on expeditionary advanced bases detected and, after joint command and control collaboration with other U.S. forces, responded to a ship-based adversary. Simultaneous impacts from multiple, dispersed weapons systems and platforms across different U.S. services—including NMESIS—engaged the threat.

NMESIS integrates established, proven sub-systems, such as the Joint Lightweight Tactical Vehicle Chassis, the Naval Strike Missile and the Fire Control System used by the Navy for NSM.

“From an acquisition perspective, NMESIS started a little over two years ago,” said Joe McPherson, long range fires program manager at MCSC. “We’ve been able to rapidly move [on developing and fielding this system] because we’re leveraging existing NSM and JLTV subsystems.”

Because NMESIS is not yet a fielded capability, engineers from MCSC managed the fire control piece of the system during the exercise. Marines, however, were able to practice maneuvering the system and validating the system’s interoperability with their Naval and Air Force partners.

The basic focus of the Ground Combat Department at MAWTS-1 is upon company training and awareness of higher echelon support, both actual and projected such as the case with NEMESIS.

Maj Mahaffey indicated that simulators are a key part of the training regime, which allows for lessons learned to be taken away and reflected in the simulators which are located at the Marine Corps bases as well. This allows for working the standardization aspect of the training development process.

But they don’t have a simulator for a new system such as NEMESIS and are working with a notional projected system as part of their training regime. They are training in terms of working the timelines to execute a strike with the notional system to support an external fires authority.

The reality for the GCE is that currently have organic fires which allow them to operate in the close in fight. Longer range fires are in development, with HIMARS at an outer range of 300Kms being the exception.

But by and large the GCE projected in remote locations is largely capable of providing defensive capability, protecting logistical locations, or radars or items of interest, not being part of an offensive punch for the joint force.

It is a work in progress.

Featured Photo: U.S. Marines assigned to 1st Battalion 4th Marines post security during assault support tactics three during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-18 in Yuma, Ariz., on April. 20, 2018. WTI is a seven week training event hosted by Marine Aviation and Weapons Tactics Squadron One cadre which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine Corps aviation in support of a Marine Air Ground Task Force. MAWTS-1 provides standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joel Soriano)

By Robbin Laird

I spent parts of March and April this year in Australia and then flew to Hawaii where I visited PACFLEET and PACAF.

The Australians and the American commands are both working to build a path to enhance deterrence of China and then augment capabilities which work to reinforce that path. Force distribution, greater allied interoperability, significant C2 and ISR capabilities enabling the distributed force to operate as a kill web with enhanced capabilities to confuse adversary targeting are the key elements for reshaping the current force. Based on this effort, acquisition choices will either help or hinder augmentation of core capabilities to further realize this approach.

A key challenge in mission success is working effective ways for higher level commanders to work effectively with forces at the tactical edge which increasingly have ISR capabilities better than the commanders have with regard to that particular operational area.

How to proceed? As one Navy officer put it: “Higher headquarters must be able to see, understand, monitor, and adjust tactical headquarters that own battlespace and missions throughout the theater. Higher headquarters must have the ability to see, understand and occasionally direct. But those headquarters must have borders so the tactical commanders can exercise their own creativity to deliver the fires and effects where they are operating.

“The higher headquarters may have access to better information and when it does it needs to have the ability to reach out to the tactical level to tell them to do or not do something associated with the larger political and strategic picture.”

He felt that they were making significant progress in commanding a distributed force, which is a core element of shaping a force capable of deterrence in the Pacific. “We are capable of commanding from various locations and can be able to see and understand how to command in the battlespace dozens of ships, hundreds of aircraft, thousands of personnel.

“We are capable of seeing, understanding, and deciding what is going on in the battlespace, and tracking the enemy force using exquisite means way beyond a grease pencil and a radio call. We can and do so through links and sensor from the sea floor to the heavens.”

During my visit to MAWTS-1 in November 2023, I had a chance to talk about how the intelligence aspect of working in mission command and the evolving ISR environment was being experienced by a USMC intelligence officer. I met with Capt Liggett, a MAGTF Intelligence Officer, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate whose generation will experience very significant dynamic decades of change of both ISR and counter-ISR dynamics.

Prior to coming to MAWTS-1, her experience has been in supporting fixed wing aircraft and their mission planning. She has worked with VMFA-211 and served on the Queen Elizabeth during the Marines operating their F-35Bs from that ship. This is a very unique experience for the British carrier was built especially to operate the F-35s and has information warfare and intelligence facilities built on the ship especially for F-35 capabilities. When I visited the ship when it was being built in Scotland, I saw those facilities being built and their functionality was explained to me at the time.

Capt Liggett indicated that coming to MAWTS-1 has broadened her experience and allowed her to work the intelligence function for the mission planning of the entire air capability of the USMC, including rotorcraft and the new addition to the force, the Reaper.

I highlighted that with the kind of ISR at the tactical edge which forces have this changes the dynamic between intelligence that comes from other sources and the dialogue that goes on between operators and the intelligence function.

Capt Liggett discussed that dynamic in the following terms: “We need to communicate back and forth to ensure that we have most updated information to pass on. We are active participants in this process and working to ensure that from a collection point of view we are looking in the right locations and refining information with regard to the operational area. The challenge is to pass data effectively to the right people at the right time and make sure we have access to resources that enables us to do that. We are also informing our pilots of what we can know and what we can’t from the particular resources available to us at a particular time.”

She indicated that “we are generally cueing the intelligence data  and the operators at the tactical edge are then taking that with what they see in real time to prosecute targets.”

In my view, with the growing capability of ISR inherent in the force at the tactical edge – with F-35s and other local intelligence capabilities – the dialogue with the intelligence analysts and sources beyond the tactical edge with those at the tactical edge is a key part of shaping operations going forward.

Featured Image: F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron VMFA-211 and the United Kingdom’s 617 Squadron, both Carrier Strike Group 21, are secured to the flight deck aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth at sea on May 06, 2021. VMFA-211 and 617 Squadron will form of the largest 5th-generation carrier air group in the world. This deployment highlights the global reach of the U.S. and UK armed forces and their interoperability, and enhances the deterrence and defense capabilities of combined force.

By Robbin Laird

During my November 2023 visit to MAWTS-1, I had a chance to talk with Major Kyle “Elton” McHugh, tactical air department head at MAWTS-1. McHugh was originally a Harrier pilot who transitioned to the F-35B and served for three years with the first forward deployed F-35B squadron, VMFA-121.

The F-35 is a key part of answering the question of the how the USMC integrates with the joint force and supports the maritime fight. The Marine Corps F-35Bs in Japan provide fifth-generation aircraft to the Marine Corps and Joint Force in the first island chain, operating off a variety of basing options, and work closely with the USAF, USN, and allied Pacific Air Forces.

The aircraft shares common sensors, decision making systems, weapons and so on with a common U.S and allied combat fleet. In discussing the way ahead for USMC integration with the joint force, both the F-35 and the Osprey are often overlooked as key stakeholders in both current capabilities and the future force.

I asked him about his time in Japan and his perspective on working with the Japanese. He commented: “I think our enemies fear our excellence and that is a key part of deterrence. Working with the Japanese as they stood up their own F-35s, we shared a common mission and a common passion to defend our nations and our way of life. Our adversaries cannot ignore that commitment and the quality we bring to the fight.”

Throughout our discussion, Major McHugh emphasized how the Marines have worked with the joint and coalition force on integratability of the F-35, enabling a more lethal and capable F-35 enterprise. He noted that “there has been a concerted effort by MAWTS-1 to work with the Navy and Air Force weapon schools on F-35 integration. All the weapon school instructors meet in person twice a year. The goal is to standardize and shape a tri-service TTP manual, including Australian and British partners as well.”

We also discussed the coming of the Reaper and he emphasized how its inclusion is helping to learn about and shape operations in the challenging maritime environment. He noted that many of the students who come to WTI do not have deep knowledge of the maritime environment and Reaper data is helping in that learning process.

He noted the last Harrier class came to this year’s WTI and the Hornets are soon to follow. The all F-35 Marine Corps TACAIR element will be a key part of the joint and allied integration efforts as evidenced by the work on a common training manual by the weapon school instructors.

Major McHugh concluded: “At MAWTS-1 we are focused on tactical excellence. That level of competence is critical to deterrence. The events we do at MAWTS-1, both live and simulated, are executed with distributed joint partners, empowering mission commanders to compete against the evolving threat.”

Featured Photo: U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Kyle McHugh, a pilot assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, currently attached to Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron 265 Reinforced, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), departs the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), in the East China Sea, June 24, 2021. The F-35B is launched in support of the 31st MEU’s unit level training to maintain proficiency in air-to-surface attacks, tactical intercepts, and other critical skills. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. John Tetrault.

The following story published on 1 April 2014 highlights the coalition aspect of McHugh’s career but as a Harrier pilot.

U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier pilots with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conducted a bilateral aviation exercise with French air force fighter pilots in Djibouti, Africa, March 26 to April 2, 2014.

The weeklong exercise was intended to maintain proficiency and learn new tactics while building lasting relationships between allied nations.

“This has been a great experience for us,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Kyle McHugh, VMM-263 (Rein.) Harrier pilot and native of Aberdeen, Md.

The MEU’s pilots flew air-to-air missions, dogfighting French Mirage 2000 pilots; as close air support, striking and bombing ground targets; combat search and rescue; tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel; and strike coordination/armed reconnaissance.

“Within the large air war, we flew those different roles and got to be a piece of the puzzle and see how the whole picture worked in actual execution,” explained McHugh, who also serves as the squadron’s assistant logistics officer. “It’s the most challenging environment we’ve had a chance to train in.”

The MEU’s pilots flew approximately 35 sorties and accumulated approximately 40 flight hours, flying missions with and against the Mirage pilots. The Mirage pilots were assigned to local French air force Fighter Squadron 03/011 Corsica, as well as visiting French air force Fighter Squadron 02/005 Ile de France.

“The missions we do here are very complex with very little time to prepare and coordinate,” said French air force Capt. Joan Dussourd, Fighter Squadron 02/005 Mirage 2000 fighter pilot. “It forces us to be very efficient.”

Each mission included several aircraft with different tasks, such as Harriers flying close air support while Mirages provide fighter support and dogfight against role player enemy Mirages. Throughout the week, there were as many as 12 aircraft participating at any given moment.

“They’re very tactically proficient in air-to-air and we consider ourselves to be very tactically proficient in an air-to-surface environment,” noted McHugh. “The ability to learn from one another in a combined forces environment, we’d be very lucky to ever have this experience again.”

In the end, the exercise helped both forces learn the other’s mindset, said Dussourd.

“I think when you fly the same missions with someone, you learn about them,” added Dussourd. “We’ve gotten to know the Marines and learned their mindset, which is very flexible. Ours is also, so we work well together.”

The squadrons and individual pilots established good working relationships throughout the exercise and built a strong foundation for other U.S. military squadrons to train or work with the French squadrons in the future.

“I’ve already seen how well trained and skilled they are in air-to-surface missions, but I was not in the air when they fought air-to-air, so I’m very interested to see how they did,” said Dussourd, who had never flown with Harriers before this exercise. “It’s important that we have chances like this in the future, to mix our knowledge. We appreciate the way the Harrier pilots work: very professional and skilled.”

The 22nd MEU is deployed with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force throughout U.S. Central Command and the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

By Robbin Laird

During my visit to MAWTS-1 in 2018, the shift from operating in the land wars to dealing with challenges which could be posed by peer competitors was clearly underway. At the center of the shift was clear recognition of the need to deal with the ongoing challenge of operating in contested electro-magnetic environments.

In my meetings with PACFLEET this past April, a key aspect of the challenge facing the force is clearly spectrum warfare or signature management and deception. My takeaway from discussions at PACFLEET was very clear. Success for distributed maritime operations requires not only assured command and control but the tissue of ISR systems enabling distributed fleet operations and adding the key element of deception through various counter-ISR systems as well. In effect, fleet distribution built on a kill web effects infrastructure is being combined with what me be called a wake-a-mole operational capability. You can’t target me, if you can’t find me.

As one key Navy leader put it to me: “Counter-ISR is the number one priority for me, to deny the adversary with to high confidence in his targeting capabilities. I need to deceive them and to make a needle look like a needle in a haystack of needles. It is important to have the capability to look like a black hole in the middle of nothing.”

MAWTS-1 with its work on FARPs, force distribution, new ways to do C2 such as from systems operating out of the back of Ospreys, signature management and deception is clearly working along the same lines as PACFLEET.

I had a chance to discuss this approach with Major John Edwards, the Spectrum Warfare Department Head, when visiting MAWTS-1 in November 2023. Edwards highlighted their work in preparing the force for the spectrum management challenges they experience and will experience within a contested electronic warfare environment. Their focus is upon ramping up the “red” threat against blue to prepare the force for the experience they have when operating in a contested environment.

They focus on showing the operational elements of the force the kind of spectrum signature they are creating when they operate to better understand the nature of spectrum warfare and how that affects their lethality and survivability in operations. And by knowing that one can create ways to think about signature deception as well as pointed out by PACFLEET.

Edwards background is from operating in the last remaining specialized USMC airborne electronic warfare platform, the Prowler. The focus now is upon having the entire operational force “electronic warfare” ready, which requires consideration as well for bringing the kind of threats which red forces can be brought by an adversary to contested operations. This is always going to be a work in progress as both blue and red work the dynamically changing electronic magnetic spectrum embodied in the operating forces.

We discussed an issue as well which I have observed in both allied and U.S militaries, namely the paring down of specialized aircraft to perform the EW mission and the question of whether or not there is enough capability remaining for the specialized domain which EW or tron warfare really constitutes.

Major Edwards thought this was a valid concern and observed that the Navy currently through its Growlers provides a joint capability. He noted the USAF has officers involved with Growlers and Growlers come to MAWTS-1 as well to work with the range of capabilities which the USMC deploys. But he felt that there needs to be a joint force commitment to expertise in this area beyond simply relying on the Growler community.

Part of the problem is simply the need to have a robust capability in this area which can inform the force with regard to training standards necessary for effective operations. If it was felt correctly that spectrum management is now a thread running through offensive and defensive operations, where will the expertise be to inform the operational and training requirements?

Featured Image: U.S. Marine Corps aircraft assigned to Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One takeoff from a landing zone during a Spectrum Warfare Department (SWD) training event near Yuma, Arizona, Aug. 23, 2023. SWD Marines conducted a training to intercept, identify, and locate or localize sources of intentional and unintentional radiated electromagnetic energy for the purpose of immediate threat recognition, targeting, planning and conduct of future operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ruben Padilla)