FD 2030 relies on small units of Marines scattered along the island chain, prepared to fire missiles at passing Chinese ships. In their article in Task & Purpose at the link below, LtGen’s Howell and Libutti dismantle the plan. The authors explain why FD 2030’s plan will, indeed, result in certain death and destruction — just not for the enemies of the United States.
Task & Purpose (taskandpurpose.com) July 22, 2022
The fatal flaw in the Marine Corps’ approach to countering China
If the Marine Corps were to bring this concept to fruition and future commanders employed SIFs as designed, there could only be one result — many dead and captured Marines.
By Jefferson D. Howell, Frank Libutti
. . . If the Marine Corps were to bring this concept to fruition and future commanders employed SIFs as designed, there could only be one result — many dead and captured Marines. Continuing along this force development path, with divestments already underway, makes little operational sense. The Corps and the nation will be better off when the current Force Design 2030 folly ends — although less well off than before it started.
The Marines should be prepared to take on the nation’s foes in “any clime and place” rather than wannabe missileers stranded, vulnerable, and unable to survive on forgotten Pacific islands. Fourth Marines are currently being reconfigured as a SIF. I fear that storied regiment may once again be heading into ignoble confinement similar to its Second World War experience as the original SIF in 1941.
Lt. Gen. Jefferson D. Howell (Ret.) served as a Marine for over 37 years and commanded both the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Forces, Pacific.
Lt. Gen. Frank Libutti (Ret.) was a Marine infantry officer for over 35 years, was awarded the Silver Star for actions in Vietnam, and commanded both the 1st Marine Division and Marine Forces, Pacific.
Marine Corps Stand-In Forces Concept for countering China has fatal flaw (taskandpurpose.com)
The source article comprehensively breaks down the practical problem with the actual application of SIF concepts we are seeing: too little combat power, too much silhouette, too much isolation. As a secondary topic, the LAW may have some utility, especially as part of a bigger force (I'd take it if we could add 2+ to the current 3 ship ARGs and recover some horizontal cubes and operational flexibility) but the working concept is just an updated riff on the Liberty Ship. I'm anxiously waiting for the reveal on the LAW's unique survivability features as demonstrated in Exercise Agile Competition (noted in FD 2030 - Beware of War Games Bearing Gifts).