This is an idea that the
"New Wars" blog pushed real hard and about two years later, I'm finally jumping on his band wagon.
The JHSV's should be considered for High Speed Troop Transports for operations short of war.
*Raids
*Disaster Relief "first responder"
*Embassy Reinforcement
*Embassy Evacuation
*Anti-piracy ops
The missions should be many and varied. Mainly missions that require speed over firepower. That's why the JHSV should be considered. But perhaps more important is the fact that the JHSV is capable of carrying a Battalion of Marines.
The idea of using a Marine Company as a unit of action is sheer lunacy. The Marine Corps would be making the same mistake that others have. Not recognizing that the smaller the unit the greater the need for external support across the spectrum.
And until the Marine Corps starts issuing Rolex watches as standard gear, we shouldn't play the games that other do.
But instead of heading off on a tangent, let me get back on task.
We just had a perfect opportunity to experiment with both the Company Landing Team and what I would call a Special Purpose MAGTF built around two Marine Infantry Companies, LAV-25 detachment and a detachment from the air wing consisting of two MV-22, and two UH-1Y's (we would take advantage of the weapons these aircraft can carry optimizing them in a multi-role fashion).
You would have one company trained as your boat unit, practicing that skill during work ups and the other as your air company, rappelling, fast roping and getting HRST certified.
Both would train to be your mechanized raid team and it probably wouldn't hurt to have a Combined Anti-Armor Team or even revise the Mobile Action Platoons of Iraq War fame built around a number of humvees (preferably rebuilt to a new standard but I'm not holding my breath).
The JHSV is the ship that we have available now but I'd really like to see another vessel used if this role is adopted.
No.
Not the LCS. It should be busy doing other missions and it SHOULD be jammed packed with so many weaponized modules that there won't be room for connex boxes designed to berth around 300 plus Marines.
The ship that I'd like to see modified to perform this work is the Sea Fighter.
To be honest I've wondered what exactly is this ship for! Now it could have a mission and according to one reader over at New Wars blog, its not only fast but it has blistering speed. He made claims of over 70 knots.
Because Marines are Marines, they're used to living in austere conditions and if properly outfitted as living spaces, connex boxes can be bolted down to the decks below and shelters can be arranged above decks for aircraft.
But perhaps more importantly these Marines would only embark during times of emergency or need and would steam ahead of a full strength MEU to points of crisis/need.
Along with the SPMAGTF, we would also revive the near dead Air Contingency MAGTF. Marines ready to go and shape the field before OTHER Marines arrive.
If it must be done then Marines should be doing it. Not scuba divers with big watches, little guns and huge egos.
