ready "force package." The MAGTF arrives with 30 days of sustainability so that no strategic lift is required to provide sustainability during the first 30 days ashore.

Our nation is dependent upon the seas to provide us with both the natural resources vital to our economy and the lines of communications to our allies. The national leadership has endorsed and strenuously supported programs calling for maritime strength which will ensure a decisive degree of superiority at strategic choke points throughout the world. Maritime prepositioning operations are a new element in the Maritime Strategy. MPS is now a reality that provides a new flexibility in the arsenal of options available to the NCA.

Another strategic mobility enhancement is prepositioning of selected Marine combat equipment and supplies on land in Norway. This DOD-directed program is the Marine Corps' only land prepositioning project and is based upon a bilateral agreement signed by the U.S. and Norway in January 1981.

The program involves the prepositioning of selected combat equipment and 30 days of supply. Included are low maintenance, high consumption ground munitions, subsistence items, selected principal end items (PEIS), construction and barrier materiel, selected medical supplies and repair parts.

This program will reduce our response time to the critical northern flank of NATO from weeks to days. The Norway force is a MAGTF unit, specifically tailored for this contingency in a cold weather environment. It is a versatile, formidable force of approximately 13,000 Marines and Sailors and over 150 aircraft. Since each MAGTF is task organized to accomplish the mission assigned, the Norway MAGTF meets the unique requirements of the Norway mission, and, consequently, is different from the previously mentioned MPS squadron MATGF. The Norway prepositioning program has been designed to provide rapid deployment

to a vital area and ally. The program sends a clear signal of U.S. commitment without any requirement to post a single Marine on Norwegian soil.

In short, prepositioning provides the following:

- Rapid global response using minimal strategic lift

- Superior combat power

- Sustainability

The ability to combine forward-deployed forces, rapidly-deployable airlift-configured MAGTFS using prepositioned combat equipment and supplies, and amphibious MAGTFS is a crisis response capability that is uniquely Marine.

Deployment Issues

In order to respond quickly to crises, the Marine Corps must be able to rapidly expand its combat power in a threatened area by building upon forward deployed forces to form larger MAGTFs. This challenge requires both the traditional readiness of our ground combat, aviation combat and combat service support forces and a new level of command element responsiveness. It also requires that we develop a framework for forming and employing larger MAGTFS from smaller MAGTFS because we intend to employ our forces as MAFs even though amphibious lift limitations may force us to initially deploy as MABS.

As a first step towards achieving this capability, the Marine Corps has established permanent, standardized headquarters for its MAGTFs. Included in this program are thirteen headquarters: four MAU, six MAB, and three MAF (nucleus). Implementation of this plan, which began in July 1983, will be completed in 1990. This "building block" relationship between the MAF, which is only a nucleus headquarters in peacetime, and the MAB headquarters, which is manned as a fully operational headquarters at all times, is displayed in figure I-1:

This means that the MAF (nucleus) headquarters can concentrate on planning MAF-size operations and training to be the core of a fully operational MAF headquarters while the MAB headquarters can focus on preparing for rapid deployment, either independently or as part of a MAF, and conducting exercises. This relationship eliminates the requirement for full-time operational MAF headquarters. MAU headquarters, meanwhile, are separate entities which, like the MAB headquarters, are fully manned and operational in peacetime. Unlike the MAB headquarters, however, they have no "building block" relationship to

any MAB or MAF headquarters and are primarily tasked with preparing for and conducting MAU forward deployments.

The second step toward achieving the capability to rapidly form and employ larger MAGTFs from smaller ones involves the creation of "composite MAGTFs" by combining the forces of two or more other MAGTFs. The term recognizes that in an expeditionary situation we must be prepared to transition separately deploying smaller MAGTFS into a larger, composite MAGTF.

Composite MAGTFs may be composed of any combination of forward deployed or mission deployed amphibious forces as well as land and maritime prepositioning forces. The specific combination used will depend upon a number of factors including the time, distance and strategic mobility resources available.

Our emerging framework for forming composite MAGTFS does not prescribe textbook solutions, but rather emphasizes the flexibility of the MAGTF structure. By using all forces available (to include forward deployed MAUS, MPS forces, augmentation forces and headquarters "building blocks"), the MAGTF commander can tailor his force to efficiently and effectively complete his assigned mission.

The permanent MAGTF headquarters concept and the composite MAGTF concept are compatible innovations designed to increase our operational capability to rapidly deploy and employ forces. Together, they provide a responsive means for maintaining effective command and control as we deploy, and subsequently employ, our most available warfighting organizations to the crisis at hand.

The Marine Corps Today

Our combat readiness has never been better. The Corps is trained and equipped for the most demanding of assignments--from countering state-sponsored terrorism, to responding to low intensity conflicts, to meeting high intensity, large scale, global commitments. With the continued support of the national leadership, the Marine Corps will maintain and hone this readiness and our unique capability to respond to national security needs across the entire spectrum of conflict. The presence of amphibious forces, either routinely deployed or in response to a crisis, provides visible, measured support to deter or prevent escalation of the crisis. Should subsequent force be required, Marines are prepared to rapidly provide the response directed.

Measured in terms of structure, training, equipment, mobility, readiness, sustainability and the attitude of the individual Marine, the Corps provides the national defense with its most capable and flexible resource.

Our infantry battalions continue to be enhanced with new and improved weapons to increase their organic firepower. New acquisitions include the M249 squad automatic weapon (SAW), the MK-19 40mm grenade launcher, and the M252 81mm mortar.

The Marine Corps' antiarmor capability is also being improved. FY-87 is the first year for procurement of the TOW-2A missile, the most capable and lethal missile in the TOW family. The TOW-2A is capable of defeating all current threat armor. The Dragon, a medium antiarmor weapon, is undergoing a product improvement which will add a combined day/night tracking device and increase missile range and warhead penetration. The light antiarmor weapon (LAW), AT-4, will provide an antiarmor capability to the individual Marine.

The Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) was developed to fill a requirement for increased firepower and tactical mobility within the Marine Corps. The LAV battalion contains six vehicle configurations: the basic LAV-25, and mortar, recovery, command and control, logistics and antitank variants. A LAV. air defense vehicle is under development.

The M60A1, the Marine Corps' main battle tank, is reaching the end of its service life. The M1A1 tank, which has been approved as the replacement for the M60A1, will provide the Marine Corps a state of the art armor capability. First deliveries will occur in FY-90 and IOC is FY-90.

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The modernization of Marine Corps artillery is continuing with the activation of additional self-propelled 155mm batteries for our general support artillery battalions. All direct support artillery battalions are now equipped with 155mm howitzers, and the M198 howitzer is included in the prepositioning programs. Our target acquisition capability has been enhanced by the fielding of the AN/TPQ-36 counterfire radar. An additional enhancement is the Navy and Marine Corps joint program for a remotely piloted vehicle (RPV). RPV units will provide the MAGTF with target acquisition, reconnaissance and radio relay capabilities. An interim ground-launched short range RPV system will be fielded in FY-87.

Improvements in the aviation combat element (ACE) of the Marine Corps have kept pace with the ground combat element (GCE). With the support of Congress, the introduction of the AV-8B will continue this year. This unique aircraft is compatible with our forward basing strategies and complements the flexible capabilities of our Corps. The AV-8B builds on the proven concepts of vertical/ short take off and landing (V/STOL). Our first AV-8B squadron became operational last year and we have confirmed a pressing need for a twoseat trainer. The largest pilot transition requirement commences in FY-87 and will continue for the next few years. The timely introduction of this trainer, the TAV-8B, is critical to the safe and efficient conversion of our remaining light attack force.

The Marine Corps continues acceptance of the F/A-18. Our aircrews report that the F/A-18 is both a responsive and agile fighter, and a highly accurate attack platform. The first deployment of the F/A-18 as a part of the unit deployment program (UDP) occurs during July 1987.

During FY-86, 22 AH-1W attack helicopters were added to the Marine Corps. The acquisition of the AH-1W enables the Marine Corps to reduce existing inventory shortfalls as well as upgrade its capability. The T-700 engine in the AH-1W provides Marine attack helicopters the ability to operate anywhere in the world. The Hellfire missile system became operational with the introduction of the AH-1W. The incorporation of a night vision goggle-compatible cockpit lighting system gives the AH-1W an enhanced night capability.

As

Complementing improvements in waterborne assault capability in the 1990s, we have supported the development of the highly survivable MV-22A Osprey. the replacement for the aging assault transport helicopter, this tilt-rotor aircraft will lift troops and small tactical vehicles into combat. Operating at speeds up to 250 knots at vastly improved ranges, Osprey will introduce greatly improved speed and flexibility to the assault.

The CH-53E, the most powerful helicopter in the free world, will complement the Osprey by providing the required heavy-lift capability into the 21st century. Its 16-ton lift capacity is necessary to enhance the operational mobility of the M198 155mm howitzer, the LAV, and other MAGTF heavy equipment.

We are continuing to restore and enhance the ability of our Force Service Support Groups (FSSGS) to support and maintain amphibious operations at all levels of MAGTF configuration. The manning level of the FSSGS is being increased to support all levels of MAGTF operations. Our reserve component combat service support force is being enhanced as well.

Under the umbrella of the Marine Corps Field Logistics System (FLS) our strategic mobility and sustainability are being improved through the development of components that are compatible with the 8 x 8' x 20' container in standard use on modern containerships. As part of the system we are procuring and fielding intermediate size containers called pallet containers (PalCons) and quadruple containers (QuadCons). The PalCon is a pallet container with a capacity of 1,000 pounds while the QuadCon is a quadruple container with a capacity of 7,500 pounds. Both are waterproof and can be connected into arrays that are compatible with standard materiel handling equipment used with land, sea and air transportation. Other equipment is also being designed for use with standard shipping containers.

The Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) consists of a powered front-body unit and four interchangeable, rear-body trailer variants. This vehicle system will be capable of carrying standardized containers and heavy cargo, and will provide a necessary and significant improvement in tactical mobility while achieving a more supportable logistics vehicle fleet. The LVS became operational during FY-86 with more than 1,600 projected to be in service by the end of FY-88.

The 5/4-ton High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) will be the primary light tactical vehicle for combat and combat support units. Its functions will include: troop and weapons transport; weapons platform; reconnaissance; fire support; medical evacuation; and command, control and communications applications. Fielding will continue through FY-88 on the initial contract and begin again in FY-91 to supply needed replacement vehicles.