Recently, the editor in chief of 1945 magazine proposed a new approach to reforming the US Navy: significantly increasing the number of ships capable of conducting landing operations. From tactical missiles to intercontinental missiles, modern air defense systems, and the increasing strength of tactical and strike aviation forces, will there still be a place for rapid response forces in the military tomorrow?The rapid response force has been a powerful means for the United States to contain aggression and respond to crisis situations since its establishment. Once war breaks out, it will quickly build a defense line at the forefront.However, in the era of rapid development of long-range weapons, relevant departments of the US Department of Defense are exploring how to efficiently utilize rapid response forces, especially in the event of conflicts between major world powers.Once the United States participates in the above-mentioned conflict, the rapid response force should become a reserve force, not only to withstand the test of the first stage of the war, but also to become a key factor in determining the outcome.All major military forces are actively studying the above-mentioned issues, but the reform of the Marine Corps' organization and changes in its application concept are the most radical.The Marine Corps has undergone significant reforms to prepare for future high-intensity conflicts in the Indo Pacific region. According to Admiral Burger, the commander of the Marine Corps, the new Marine Corps by 2030 will be a "light, independent, highly mobile expeditionary Marine Corps capable of rapidly deploying in coastal areas within enemy weapon kill zones.The high mobility landing group of the US Navy and Marine Corps will become the main planned reserve force for implementing combat operations. These teams are called ARG/MEU.It can be considered that ARG/MEU is a universal group with high maneuverability and flexible use. The ARG/MEU group is at a high level of readiness and can carry out diverse military tasks in peacetime; During wartime, it is possible to quickly prepare for combat missions, usually by investing a large amount of equipment.During wartime, ARG/MEU groups should be present in all theaters of war. The main value of the ARG/MEU group is that it only requires a few cover ships (acting as air defense and anti missile centers) to provide minimal support. The ARG/MEU group can land in designated areas, carry out assaults, guide assault aviation, suppress enemy communication through mobile electronic countermeasures equipment, and cripple the enemy's command center on land.ARG typically consists of three vessels - LHD or LHA, LPD, and LSD - which not only ensure the transportation of MEU's air and ground elements, but also serve as a permanent base at sea.At sea bases, military medical support centers, mobile hospitals, information processing and intelligence centers, and various maintenance auxiliary services can be deployed.LHD class ships are widely used in similar operations because they can carry a large amount of useful equipment and reserves, ensuring the independence of ARG/MEU groups relative to land-based logistics supply centers.In addition, the equipment and technical reserves on board can ensure the takeoff of helicopters, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, as well as the maintenance and repair of aircraft.The ARG/MEU group can deploy its own air power on large landing ships of LHD and LPD levels, including MV-22 Osprey, AH-1W transport airborne aircraft, helicopters, UH-1N armed helicopters and CH-53E helicopters, as well as Harrier or F-35B vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.How are the capabilities and maneuverability of MEU groups reflected? The MEU group consists of a reinforced Marine Corps battalion with its own command center, combat support, logistics equipment support, transportation equipment, and indirect support for firearms and aviation elements. After the deployment of the battalion, it can receive reinforcement from the Marine Corps, special forces, and even military personnel.In essence, the battalion can be deployed as a landing assault team, equipped with various necessary support equipment, to carry out operations in the "gray area", that is, before the outbreak of armed conflict.Last year, the ARG/MEU group demonstrated its rapid response capability to crises, including fighting alongside non combatants.The "Sulphur Island" ARG and the 24MEU participated in the evacuation operation at Kabul Airport in Afghanistan as a rapid response force.In August of this year, ARG/MEU participated in a humanitarian rescue operation in Haiti, where approximately 20000 people were affected by the earthquake. In order to provide assistance to Haiti, the LPD-24 "Arlington" landing ship was dispatched, carrying approximately 200 Marine Corps members, surgical medical teams, and 2 MH-60R helicopters.Providing assistance to Haiti is a typical example of ARG/MEU carrying out its assigned tasks.In order to operate reliably under completely independent conditions, the US Navy and Marine Corps require a total of at least 31 large landing ships. But the demand for ARG/MEU often exceeds the recommended quantity.The navy is making every effort to achieve the following goal: to maintain three ARG/MEU groups in a state of readiness at sea. However, the current number of ships is insufficient, and there is a significant gap between reality and ideals.Landing troops not only require a sufficient number of ships to meet the capability requirements of ARG/MEU groups, but also more advanced and combat capable ships.We are currently developing two new types of landing ships for the navy, with larger capacity and stronger strike capabilities.The first type - LHA helicopter landing ship, essentially a helicopter carrier, can also transport troops, equipment, and materials.The second type - the "San Antonio" class dock landing ship, LPD-17 II type, is primarily used for deploying troops and equipment, and can also command helicopters to perform a series of complex functions, including command, frontline medical assistance, and providing material and technical support to the army.The landing fleet requires complex industrial infrastructure support, covering thousands of enterprises in 43 states. Billions of dollars need to be provided to large naval shipbuilding bases.Another important aspect is that the funding situation first depends on a stable and long-term landing ship construction plan.Today, the United States is in an era of tight military budgets, but building landing ships at the expense of other types of ships is still of great significance because dock landing ships are more versatile and inexpensive compared to aircraft carriers or cruisers.In addition, mass production of ships can save costs. Whitman, a member of the Equipment Committee, pointed out in his proposal that the Navy's procurement of aircraft carriers, destroyers, and submarines based on this principle would save billions of dollars. This method is also applicable to the procurement of landing ships.It is likely that ARG/MEU is the best reserve force for the US military to solve various problems in peacetime, crisis, and wartime.ARG/MEU has diverse capabilities to eliminate regional instability, respond quickly to emerging threats, and provide humanitarian assistance. Once a conflict erupts, a powerful assault will be carried out from the air and ground. By continuing to procure LHA and LPD-17, this force will provide important support for US national security and defense policies in the coming decades.
Source: Frontiers of Maritime Defense
