Rethinking United States Marine Corps Assault Support Concept of Employment

摘要

This paper examines the deterioration of the Air Combat Element's helicopter assault support capabilities in supporting the Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Commander. For a decade now, the Marine Corps has struggled with a controversial subject: What will replace its aging assault support medium-lift helicopter assets, and how will it transition to a new asset without losing capabilities during the transition process. The controversy of what will replace the aging CH-46E has been tentatively solved with the planned introduction of the MV-22 Osprey. This revolution in rotor lift supports the Marine Corps' 'Operational Maneuver from The Sea' (OMFTS) as well as the emerging concept of 'Sea Dragon.' Unfortunately, the scheduled arrival of the MV-22 has been delayed. The delay has placed the burden of responsibility on Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Commanders to solve a deficiency in the MEU's assault support capabilities for the next decade. It has become a constant challenge for MEF commanders to task organize a capable helicopter force under the current structure of the MEU Aviation Combat Element (ACE). This deficit in rotor lift assault support capability must be remedied to maintain the Marine Corps' amphibious role in the National Defense Strategy. How well we fight today and tomorrow will depend on how well we task organize the battlefield systems used by the MAGTF Commander. Marine Corps deficiencies in assault support rotor lift include the following: (1) lack of tactically sound troop lift capabilities, (2) lack of helo force long-range capabilities, and (3) lack of multimission flexibility. Modification of the Marine Corps' helicopter employment, followed by a modified task organization of the MEU(SOC) ACE for the interim period, could increase the MAGTF Commander's combat maneuverability and effectiveness. The only Marine Corps aircraft capable of fixing the lift deficiencies of the MEU(SOC) is the CH-53E.