With severely limited MAGTF capabilities, our Corps is relegated to be a "reactionary force" instead of any pro-active positioned force able to handle ANY threat, thanks to FD2030!
After every major conflict, there have been some who have criticized the Marine Corps for being a "second land army." But isn't it fortuitus for the Marine Corps and the Nation, that the Marine Corps has been able to be a second land army when needed?? This proves that a robust Marine Corps can fight in any conflict anywhere in the world: deserts, jungles, and snow. And it can fight any foe. Right now, the Marines in the Pacific can only fight (in theory) as a clandestine missile force in the littoral area. If I'm correct, the Littoral Regiments only have a battalion's worth of infantry (the Littoral Combat Team). This battalion will consist of three rifle companies and an anti-ship missile company. It will not have a weapons company. Maybe the battalion will have an artillery battery attached. Maybe not. It will not be able to conduct sustained combat. The I and II MEFs have become little more than rifle divisions with little artillery support (seven artillery gun batteries for a 3 division force, plus the seven HIMARS batteries). Organically, if you eliminate Marine Air, combined with only seven tube artillery batteries, the heaviest weapon the divisions will have will be the 81mm mortars of the battalion weapons company. I had no artillery experience, but I believe HIMARS is of little value in the close-in battle. While we have no question about the individual Marines, can this force participate in anything other than commando raids or embassy evacuations? Can this force threaten Chinese forces in other parts of the world? Can it fight the Iranians? Will it be of value in Europe with no organic direct firepower support? Surprisingly, there is an article in the October Gazette: "The Future of Marine Corps Direct Fire Support" in which the author, Lt Greuble, argues for some type of assault gun for the Marine Corps. In essence he is requesting the need for some form of mobile protected firepower: ie a light tank. A robust Marine Corps organised as a second land army with mobile armored direct fire support and HIMARS precision strike missiles can be lethal anywhere in the world against any foe.
You’re correct in everything you stated. HIMARS using any warhead either the submunition warheads (all M26 family, all M30 family), or the unitary warhead (M31 family) is unsuitable for the close in battle.
Generally submunition warheads should not be used any closer than 1,000 meters of friendlies. The unitary warhead on the M31 family contains 200lbs of PBX-109. The closest that a 200lb warhead should be used is 650 meters, but I’ve read accounts of fights in Vietnam where 8” howitzer fire (202lb shell) was brought in as close as 100-150 meters and 105 mm howitzer fire (33lb shell) as close 50 meters.
It takes nerves of steel, a hairy situation and supreme confidence in the entire fire support team to bring fire in for a danger close mission.
With severely limited MAGTF capabilities, our Corps is relegated to be a "reactionary force" instead of any pro-active positioned force able to handle ANY threat, thanks to FD2030!
After every major conflict, there have been some who have criticized the Marine Corps for being a "second land army." But isn't it fortuitus for the Marine Corps and the Nation, that the Marine Corps has been able to be a second land army when needed?? This proves that a robust Marine Corps can fight in any conflict anywhere in the world: deserts, jungles, and snow. And it can fight any foe. Right now, the Marines in the Pacific can only fight (in theory) as a clandestine missile force in the littoral area. If I'm correct, the Littoral Regiments only have a battalion's worth of infantry (the Littoral Combat Team). This battalion will consist of three rifle companies and an anti-ship missile company. It will not have a weapons company. Maybe the battalion will have an artillery battery attached. Maybe not. It will not be able to conduct sustained combat. The I and II MEFs have become little more than rifle divisions with little artillery support (seven artillery gun batteries for a 3 division force, plus the seven HIMARS batteries). Organically, if you eliminate Marine Air, combined with only seven tube artillery batteries, the heaviest weapon the divisions will have will be the 81mm mortars of the battalion weapons company. I had no artillery experience, but I believe HIMARS is of little value in the close-in battle. While we have no question about the individual Marines, can this force participate in anything other than commando raids or embassy evacuations? Can this force threaten Chinese forces in other parts of the world? Can it fight the Iranians? Will it be of value in Europe with no organic direct firepower support? Surprisingly, there is an article in the October Gazette: "The Future of Marine Corps Direct Fire Support" in which the author, Lt Greuble, argues for some type of assault gun for the Marine Corps. In essence he is requesting the need for some form of mobile protected firepower: ie a light tank. A robust Marine Corps organised as a second land army with mobile armored direct fire support and HIMARS precision strike missiles can be lethal anywhere in the world against any foe.
Randy:
You’re correct in everything you stated. HIMARS using any warhead either the submunition warheads (all M26 family, all M30 family), or the unitary warhead (M31 family) is unsuitable for the close in battle.
Generally submunition warheads should not be used any closer than 1,000 meters of friendlies. The unitary warhead on the M31 family contains 200lbs of PBX-109. The closest that a 200lb warhead should be used is 650 meters, but I’ve read accounts of fights in Vietnam where 8” howitzer fire (202lb shell) was brought in as close as 100-150 meters and 105 mm howitzer fire (33lb shell) as close 50 meters.
It takes nerves of steel, a hairy situation and supreme confidence in the entire fire support team to bring fire in for a danger close mission.
Semper Fi!