Brigadier General McAbee, Colonel Baird, and Colonel Marletto offer a powerful argument to counter the dangerously misguided assertion from FD 2030 (Force Design 2030 annual update of May 2022) that seven cannon artillery batteries (two battalions) and seven HIMARS batteries (two battalions) are sufficient to support the global requirements of three Marine Divisions. It has become a Marine Corps “talking point” that these fourteen batteries can be globally sourced to support a single Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF). The authors strongly disagree.
The authors go beyond just critiquing FD 2030; they assess the correct number and proper mix of cannon and rocket artillery needed to support Marine forces in sustained combat against a well trained and equipped enemy. The authors argue that their proposed alternative is based on proven doctrine, not on short-sighted programmatic issues. Above all, the authors make clear that - unlike FD 2030 - their alternative for fire support has already been validated in the crucible of close combat.
Marine Corps Gazette (www.mca-marines.org/gazette) October 2022
The Dangers of Overselling Insufficient Fire Support in the Active Force
by Brigadier General McAbee, Colonel Baird, and Colonel Marletto
. . . The sole question is not if seven cannon batteries and seven HIMARS batteries are sufficient to support a single MEF “engaged in sustained operations ashore.” The more pressing question, and the one not being asked nor answered by advocates of Force Design 2030 (FD 2030), is if seven cannon batteries and seven HIMARS batteries in the active force are sufficient to support a Marine Corps of three divisions, three wings, and necessary logistics with global warfighting commitments. The answer to both questions is a resounding NO! . . . .
https://mca-marines.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Dangers-of-Overselling-McAbee-et-al.pdf