Pacific Perspective - Combat Power:Marine Rotational Force - Darwin Deploys to Northern Territory

According to MRF - D,a new group of about 2,000 U.S. Marines and Sailors in the form of a Marine Air - Ground Task Force has arrived in Australia's Northern Territory for the 13th iteration of the deployment.The arrangement was signed by Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Former U.S. President Barack Obama in 2011.It has another 12 years remaining.Each year,the deployment has grown in scale and complexity,enhancing our Alliance's capability and ability to work together and improving our combined capacity to respond to crises and contingencies in the Indo-Pacific Region.MRF - D remains an important touchpoint of the Australian/U.S. security Alliance,said MRF - D.*Said U.S. Marine Corps COL Brian T. Mulvihill,commanding officer of MRF - D 24.3:Our strong Alliance contributes to stability in the region and enables the readiness of our forces to respond to any crisis or contingency that arises.*Participants will conduct operations across a full spectrum of missions,including expeditionary operations;geographically distributed communications;non-combatant evacuation operations;embassy reinforcements;humaitarian assistance and disaster relief;and rapid projection of combat power.So the Alliance intends to deter our adversaries,and,if necessary,defend the rules-based international order.*The Marines are based at RAAF Darwin and,in concert with the Australian Defence Force,will carry out training throughout the region unitil the end of MRF - D 24.3's deployment in October.*MRF - D is a unit of I Marine Expeditionary Force.The motto of I MEF is "Ready.Engaged.Faithful".I MEF provides the Marine Corps with a globally responsive,expeditionary,and fully scalable Marine Air - Ground Task Force (MAGTF,pronounced MAGTAF),capable of generating,deploying,and employing ready forces and formations for crisis response;forward presence;major combat operations;and campaigns.*Leadership:I MEF is led by LTG Michael S. Cederholm,Commanding General,and MG Robert C. Fulford,Deputy Commanding General.A graduate of Weslyan University,LTG Cederholm,a Marine Corps Aviator,is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom.He is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN);the National War College (MS in National Security Strategy);and is a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Seminar XXI Fellow.*MG Fulford was commissioned in 1992 after graduating from the United States Naval Academy.He is a career infantry officer and veteran of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 1.MG Fulford is a graduate of the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course;the Marine Corps Command and Staff College;and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.*A Marine Air - Ground Task Force is the principal organisation for all missions across the range of military operations.MAGTF's are a balanced,air-ground,combined arms task organisation of Marine Corps forces under a single commander that is structured to accomplish a specific mission.The four elements of a MAGTF are:1.Command Element (CE);2.Ground Combat Element (GCE);3.Air Combat Element (ACE);and 4.Logistics Combat Element (LCE).*The MAGTF was formalised by the publication of Marine Corps Order 3120.3,"The Marine Corps in the National Defense,MCDP 1-0".

USMC. F-35B Lightning II fighter jets during winter exercises in Norway,NATO - YouTube

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 (VFMA-542) Tigers deployed to Norway from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point,North Carolina with their F-35B Lightning IIB Joint Strike Fighters to participate in NATO Exercise Arctic Response.The drills are held every two years to provide military competency in challenging Arctic conditions.They foster interoperability between the USMC and Allied nations.F/A-18 Hornet legacy aircraft were also deployed.

US Marines on snowmobiles during winter exercises in Norway, NATO.

The US Marines have been in Norway for NATO Exercise Arctic Response.It is held every two years to promote military competence in harsh Arctic conditions.It also fosters interoperability with Allied nations.

US Navy. USS Arlington LPD-24 San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock.

The USS Arlington is currently deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in the European theatre of operations.The strategic location allows it to play a strong role in deterrence and defence activities.

F-35B Lightning II fighters during flight testing on the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales

The HMS Prince of Wales is currently visiting the US,where Marine Corps pilots practised joint operations with the Royal Navy.

Joby Aviation Delivers First eVTOL Aircraft for U.S. Air Force’s 412th Test Wing - Avionics International

Joby Aviation Delivers First eVTOL Aircraft for U.S. Air Force’s 412th Test Wing - Avionics International: Joby Aviation, Inc. has delivered its first electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft for the U.S. Air Force to Edwards AFB, Calif.’s 412th Test Wing Joby Aviation Inc (JOBY)

U.S. Navy Sailors and Marines conduct heavy live fire from a amphibious assault ship,USS Boxer (LHD 4) - location undisclosed

U.S. Marines Seize Airfield During Exercises in Japan.

USMC. MV-22B Osprey and Australian Navy helicopter carrier HMAS Adelaide (L01)

Space to Ground: Four for 7: June 23, 2023

NASA Astronaut Lt.Col. Jasmin Moghbeli,USMC,is commander of the NASA SpaceX Crew-7 mission.She is a combat veteran (Bell AH-1 Super Cobra) and test pilot.

Arrived! More than 7,000 US troops were activated in response to Russian nuclear threat

Pacific Perspective:USMC,ROK Marines and Royal Marines Join Forces

Exercise Ssang Yong 23 brought together Marines from three nations-the US,Republic of Korea and the UK-for ten days of high intensity training in ROK.The US Navy Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and ROK Navy supported the drills.Live-fire ranges,ROKMC ranger training,fast roping and rappelling,military free-fall and subject matter expert exchanges characterised the exercise.The drills culminated in an amphibious assault.According to Captain Jonathan Eaton,combat cargo officer,Amphibious Squadron 7:Conducting an over-the-horizon assault from the ARG is an advanced manoeuvre.Conducting an OTH assault as a multinational unit under a single commander of the Amphibious Task Force,across the same beach,demonstrates advanced capabilities as an Allied force.* Said Captain Christian Thiessen,technical information operations officer,13th Marine Expeditionary Unit:This event rehearsed combined forcible entry operations in the event the ARG/MEU is required to join the ROKMC for combat operations.* For its part,40 Commando Royal Marines deployed to Korea for the first time since the Korean War.Their Bravo Company trained in crisis response,disaster relief,amphibious landing and coastal defence scenarios with the USMC and ROKMC.It was part of ongoing Royal Navy efforts in the strategically important region,where the security situation is challenging and complex,the RN said.* Ssang Yong 23 involved around 28,000 Korean and US Sailors and Marines;30 warships;70 aircraft;and 50 amphibious assault vehicles.It took place near the port city of Pohang,on the South Korean coast about 160 mi/257.49 km from the capital Seoul.40 CDO operated as part of a combined surveillance team,helping exercise commanders make crucial operational decisions through reconnaissance actions ashore,and directing strikes onto targets.* Said Major Aran Sandiford RM,RM exercise commander:This deployment has provided a fantastic opportunity to further the Royal Marines' partnership with the ROK Marine Corps and US Marine Corps;two of the foremost amphibious forces in the world.Ultimately,Royal Marines must be able to deploy,sustain and fight anywhere in the world alongside our Allies and Partners.*

Pacific Perspective:Marines Update Their Pacific Deployments

The US Marine Corps is developing a new approach to its Pacific deployments called the Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR).It has already founded the first MLR in Hawaii.Next,the concept will be realised on the Japanese island of Okinawa.The Corps will transform its Okinawa presence without increasing its numbers there.MLRs contain about 2,000 Marines and US Navy Sailors,including a Combat Team.It is a self-deployable,multi-domain force that persistently operates across the competitive continuum in support of the Joint Force,assuring Allies and Partners;deterring adversaries;conducting and enabling Joint Force contact,blunt and surge activities.The MLR is a naval formation with capabilities to manoeuvre and operate in the maritme domain.It is mobile,low-signature and persistent in the contact to blunt layers and relatively easy to maintain and sustain as part of a naval expeditionary force.* The MLR leverages the full capabiltity of amphibious platforms,connectors and boats.Together,the Navy and Marine Corps will field a Light Amphibious Warship to enhance its mobility and sustainment.The MLR contains a Littoral Combat Team;Littoral Anti-Air Battalion;and Combat Logistics Battalion.So the MLR contains an infantry battalion and an anti-ship missile battery.It facilitates the deployment of multiple platoon-reinforced size expeditionary advanced base sites for long-range anti-ship fires;forward arming and refueling of aircraft;Intelligence,Surveillance and Reconnaissance of key maritime terrain;plus air defence and early warning.After Okinawa,a third MLR is being contemplated for the US militarised coral reef of Guam.An MLR is commanded by a colonel.* The new concept was agreed with Japan at the recent Security Consultative Talks (SCT) in Washington on 12 January 2023.The talks,hosted by the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken for Japan's Foreign Minister,Hagashi Yosimasu,and Defence Minister,Hamada Yasukazu.The SCT deepened an already close relationship in the context of a more assertive China;Russia's second invasion of Ukraine;and North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and delivery systems.Said SecDef Austin: It is a shared committment to uphold the rules-based international order and to strengthen resilient partnerships around the globe.* Thus the US will forward-station the more versatile,mobile and resilient MLR.It bolsters deterrence and allows us to defend Japan and its people more effectively,according to Austin.The Marine 12th Artillery Regiment will remain in Japan and be re-organised into the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment by 2025.The transformed Regiment will be relevant to both current and future threat environments.At the same time,Japan has committed to acquire a counter-strike capability.* Furthermore,the SCT agreed that an attack to,from or within outer space would enable the invocation of Article V of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty.Article V states: Each Party recognizes an armed attack against either Party in the territories under the administration of Japan would be dangerous to its own security and declares that it would act to meet the common danger in accordance with its constitutional procedures and processes.* The SCT agreed Japan will establish a permanent joint headquarters and will work with the U.S. on command-and-control arrangements with an emphasis on interoperability with U.S. Forces.Joint/shared use of facilities in Japan will be initiated,as will increased exercises,including exercises in Japan's Southwest Islands.Activities with regional Allies and Partners such as Australia,South Korea and India are to be strengthened,while also welcoming greater International Partner engagement by Euro-Atlantic Partners.*

Pacific Perspective:1st MARDIV Certifies for Australia Deployment

Marines and Sailors of 1st Marine Division and Expeditionary Strike Group 3 recently concluded Exercise Steel Knight 23.It certified the participants for deployment with the upcoming Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) in Australia's Northern Territory as I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF).Thousands of Marines and Sailors enhanced naval integration,joint planning and expeditionary advanced base operations.The drills took place in two phases:a command post exercise (CPX) and a mission rehearsal exercise (MRX).In the CRX,each subordinate command was tested to collect intelligence on enemy forces;coordinate joint fires;and simulate strikes while sustaining the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) with supplies across dispersed locations.CPX also enabled all-domain operations including cyber,space and information operations to complement kinetic operations in the operational environment.* MRX involved manoeuvring warships,Marine aviation squadrons and staging amphibious landings.Marines and Sailors responded to simulated crises and contingency scenarios in a contested environment.Said USN Rear Admiral James Kirk,commander,Expeditionary Strike Group 3:Simulated combat operations are ongoing to execute sea denial operations so that the joint force can then control and have freedom of movement,and can manoeuvre in a combat scenario to refine operational capabilities and tactics,techniques and procedures (TTPs).* Marines and Sailors also rehearsed the EABO (Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations),meaning employing forces in isolated environments and contested maritime areas.They tested their ability to plan,communicate and operate on small island chains;sea lanes;and aboard ships scattered across vast areas while still synchronised with one another.This took place across multiple locales in Southern and Central California.It's about working together to gain an advantage over a very challenging adversary (such as China,Russia or North Korea) while outpacing an enemy and achieving sea control,according to USMC Major General Benjamin Watson,commanding general of 1st MARDIV,I MEF and Rear Admiral Kirk.* In the course of the exercise,America-class Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) played a significant role,as did Marine Aircraft Group 3,3rd Marine Aircraft Wing,which conducted an air assault on San Clemente island,California.A US Navy landing craft air cushion with Assault Craft Unit 5 carried an AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar.* The Tripoli allows the operation of both the MV-22 Osprey and F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.The warship is armed with 2 Rolling Airframe Missile launchers;2 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile launchers;2x20mm Phalanx CIWS mounts;and 7 x twin .50 BMG machine guns.It also carries electronic warfare devices such as 2 Mk53 Nulka decoy launchers.The Tripoli's complement is 102 officers;1102 enlisted;and 1687 Marines (plus 184 surge).It is the second America-class AAS,commissioned in July 2020.Its homeport is San Diego.*

Lockheed Martin Receives Contract for $7.6 Billion for 129 Total F-35s in Lot 15 - Aviation Today

Lockheed Martin Receives Contract for $7.6 Billion for 129 Total F-35s in Lot 15 - Aviation Today: Lockheed Martin has received a more than $7.6 billion contract for 129 F-35 fighters in Lot 15–49 F-35As for the U.S. Air Force.

Ripple effects in the Arctic - American Legion

Ripple effects in the Arctic: In the face of Putin’s aggression, NATO looks to take a more proactive approach to the High North.

Major NATO Maritime Drills Commence:BALTOPS 22

On 5 June 2022,NATO exercise BALTOPS 22 begins in the Baltic Sea Region.The drills will run through 17 June.According to U.S. Naval Forces Europe,BALTOPS 22 will strengthen the combined response capability that is crtitical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the region.Those participating include:Belgium,Bulgaria,Denmark,Estonia,Finland,France,Germany,Latvia,Lithuania,the Netherlands,Norway,Poland,Sweden,Turkey,the UK and the US.A myriad of capabilities will demonstrate the inherent flexibility of maritme forces,to include:amphibious operations;gunnery;anti-submarine and air defence drills;mine clearance operations;explosive ordnance disposal;unmanned underwater vehicles;and medical response.Sweden is the host nation.* The scenario builds on BALTOPS 21 story lines and continues the incorporation of the space domain in coordination with the NATO Space Centre.The team of international forces will be tasked with responding rapidly in a time of crisis.Over 45 ships;75 aircraft;and some 7,000 service members will execute the manoeuvres.US Navy warships taking part include:the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3),dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44),guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) and command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20).* Strategically,Finland and Sweden's penchant for employing small missile-armed surface combatants and shore-based aircraft with Sweden's stealthy submarines in the context of Nordic geography creates significant Anti-Access/Area Denial capabilties.This could be used to block Russian transit of the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean.The exercise will take place in the Central and Southern Baltic Sea and include drills in the Stockholm archipelago near Uto;on land and sea outside Visby and Faro;on Ravlunda Exercise Field;on Osterlen and in Hano Bay.Sweden will contribute a submarine;two Visby corvettes;two minesweepers;four fighter aircraft;two helicopters and more than 500 troops.There will also be drills on riparian land ranges in Germany,Poland,Sweden and the Baltic States.Warfighting simulation will include maritime interdiction and personnel recovery,strengthening the cohesion and skillsets of NATO Allies and Partners.Personnel recovery is the recovery and reintegration of isolated military personnel,those who must survive,evade,resist or escape because they became separated from their units during combat operations.The Warrior's Ethos states:I will never leave a fallen comrade.An adversary may influence military strategy and national will by exploiting the intelligence and propaganda value of isolated personnel,according to the United States Army Combined Arms Centers.*

Vigilance:Navy Ships and Marines Placed Under NATO Command for Force Integration

Several US Navy warships have been placed under NATO command (STRIKFORNATO) as part of major warfighting drills in the Baltic,Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas,NATO announced.These include the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG 8) and the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).It is only the second instance of a transfer of a CSG to NATO since the end of the Cold War,NATO pointed out.This transfer of command is designated Vigilance Activity Neptune Shield 22 (NESH 22).It integrates high-end maritime expeditionary strike capabilities of Air,Sea and Land assets.NESH 22 will occur in the Baltic,Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas from 17-31 May.Participating in the Vigilance Activity are the following NATO Allies:Albania,Bulgaria,Croatia,Denmark,France,Germany,Greece,Italy,Latvia,Lithuania,the Netherlands,Poland,Portugal,Romania,Slovenia,Spain,Turkey,the UK and the US.* The purpose of this Vigilance Activity is to overcome the complexities of integrating Command and Control of a Carrier Strike Group;an Amphibious Ready Group;and a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) into NATO.We will thus conduct the handover of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and Combined Task Force 61/2,which consists of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit,from U.S. 6th Fleet to STRIKFORNATO and the wider Alliance.It establishes the unity that NATO strives for throughout the Alliance,according to Supreme Allied Commander Europe US Air Force General Tod D. Wolters,who noted that: Vigilance Activities like NESH 22 strengthen our ability to seamlessly integrate maritime strike capabilities to support deterrence and defence.We continue to do everything necessary to shield the Alliance.* Such Vigilance Activities ensure the appropriate strategic awareness and force readinesss required to sustain peace.Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO),headquartered in Oeiras,Portugal,is SACEUR'S premier,rapidly deployable and flexible maritime power projection HQ.It plans and executes full spectrum joint maritime warfighting activities.*

Pacific Perspective:MRF-D and the Australian 1st Brigade Welcomes the Commandant of the Marine Corps

MRF-D and the Australian 1st Brigade Welcomes the Commandant of the Marine Corps: Gen. David Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps, visited with Marines and Sailors of the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, and Soldiers of the Australian Defence Force on April 14. During the visit,

Northern Viking 22:Protecting Sea Routes and Infrastructure

Underway in the high north is NATO Exercise Northen Viking 22,a high intensity and multi-domain series of maritime drills focused on critical sea lanes and infrastructure of the North Atlantic Ocean.Of special concern is the threat Russia poses to undersea telecommunications cables and its utilisation of the GIUK (Greenland/Iceland/UK) Gap,a naval chokepoint between the three land masses of the North Atlantic. In 2019,ten Russian submarines of the Northern Fleet,including two diesel and eight nuclear-powered submarines,left their homeport in the Kola Peninsula and attempted to breach the GIUK Gap undetected and enter the Atlantic Ocean. The Royal Navy's First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff,Admiral Sir Tony Radakin,is concerned about a phenomenal increase in Russian submarine underwater activity,as Russia's underwater programme intends to put at risk and potentially exploit undersea cables critical to the world's real information system.According to Admiral Radakin: That is where predominantly all the world's information and traffic travels.Russia has grown the capability to put at threat those undersea cables and potentially exploit those undersea cables.* The deep sea cables enclose thousands of miles of fibre optic cables for carrying digital information such as the Internet.Russia is believed to be mapping the undersea cables.* As well,heavily armed Russian warships had tested up to ten of the new Tsirkov hypersonic cruise missiles from a frigate and a submarine in December 2021.Indeed,in September 2021,a Russian spy ship,the Yankar,that can reportedly cut undersea cables,was detected in the English Channel and headed north.And Russia is believed to have submarines with robotic arms that can tamper with or cut vital cables critical to data traffic.Thus Russian sabotage could devastate the world's information-dependent economy,and the GIUK Gap woud be strategically important for Russia's Northern Fleet in any conflict with NATO.* Participating in NV 22 are Royal Navy warships the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R09) and frigate Richmond (F239);plus the Royal Norwegian Navy's frigate HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl (F314).Additionally,US Marines will stage an amphibious landing at Midsandur in Hvalfjordur,Iceland on 11 APR 22.Besides the US Marines,other participants include naval forces from France,Germany,Norway and the UK.The Icelandic Coast Guard and police will take part in search and rescue activities.The naval warfighters will practise defending sea routes to the south of Iceland and searching for enemy submarines off the Icelandic coast with anti-submarine warfare airplanes and helicopters.* At the top of the GIUK Gap is Thule Air Base,Greenland,a highly strategic asset and the northernmost outpost of the US military (US Space Force and US Air Force).Greenland is a Danish territory and the air base was even visited by Queen of Denmark Margrethe II recently.The base contains several missile warning sensors of Space Delta 4,as well as space surveillance and control sensors of Space Delta 2,which provide space awareness and advanced missile detection to NORAD,USSF and joint partners.Thule also contains the 12th Space Warning Squadron,which operates the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) for tracking ICBMs targeting North America;while the 23rd Space Operations Squadron of Space Delta 6 controls satellites.Thule Air Base is operated by the US Space Force and controlled by the US Air Force Peterson-Schriever Garrison,821st Air Base Group.A joint force team of 150 Space Force and Air Force personnel endure the hardship post (no families) with its absolutely brutal winter weather (temperatures down to -35F/-37.2 C) for one-year stints.*