Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare and Strategic Sealift: Ways to Improve the Marines' Expeditionary Capability

摘要

To be a relevant force to a Joint Force Commander in the future, the Marine Corps must improve upon the Corps' deployment and sustainment capabilities in expeditionary operations. In today's changing strategic environment, the strategic mobility of the United States will increasingly depend upon more capable and responsive sealift assets. For the Marine Corps, enhanced strategic sealift will make the Corps less reliant on strategic airlift and more relevant to a Joint Force Commander. A specific area in which the Marines can improve their capability is Intra-Theater lift. The Marines can give the Joint Force Commander increased options for employment because deployment of forces and their sustainment is due to faster sealift technology and vessels, which means strategic airlift carries less of a burden. The way the Marines in working with the Navy can take advantage of developing technologies is not necessarily through the purchase of these high-speed ships, but through limited purchases and a leasing program with commercial interests that already own and operate such vessels. Such ships, collectively known as Fast Ferries, can sustain speeds of 40 knots and carry between 500 and 750 personnel or 380 tons of cargo over a distance of 1000 nautical miles. While ship capabilities differ somewhat, the value of the vessels as a force multiplier is clear. High-speed sealift in combination with other commercial sealift assets can make strategic sealift more responsive to a Joint Force Commander. For the Marine Corps and the Navy, taking advantage of this technology will make the Marines a more relevant and capable force. Intra- Theater sealift supports Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare and Marine Corps Strategy 21 with the added benefit of not requiring development from the drawing board. High-speed sealift is a possible economic solution to help the Marine Corps remain first as the nation's force in readiness.