Friday, May 15, 2020

U.S. Marines Are Getting Ready For Island-Hopping Warfare

A High-Mobility Artillery-Rocket System fires from the flight deck of USS 'Anchorage' during exercise Dawn Blitz 2017. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Abby Rader

Forbes: Meet Your New Island-Hopping, Missile-Slinging U.S. Marine Corps

The U.S. Marine Corps just stood up, in Hawaii, the first of a new kind of unit, a so-called Marine Littoral Regiment that could help the Corps battle Chinese forces in the Western Pacific.

Some background: The Marines in April announced a proposal for sweeping organizational changes that commandant Gen. David Berger has said are the key to making the Corps’ expeditionary units lighter, more survivable and more relevant in island-hopping warfare.

The Marines proposed to eliminate all of its law-enforcement battalions, tank battalions and bridging companies. The Corps also would disband three of its 24 infantry battalions, 16 of its 21 tube-artillery batteries and two of its four amphibious-vehicle companies.

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WNU Editor: It looks like the Marines are focusing their energies on fighting in the Pacific.