New mission for Corps relies on amphibs

More work for gators
'Expeditionary mind-set' stressed


New mission for Corps relies on amphibs
By Andrew Scutro - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Feb 8, 2008 18:24:45 EST

The Marines want to get back to their expeditionary roots — and they’ll be taking amphib sailors with them.

According to a recently approved operational concept, the Marine Corps plans to keep nine infantry battalions forward-deployed at all times, with the remaining 18 battalions in training.

For the Marines, it means new advisory missions on top of existing requirements. And for sailors, it will mean a steady reliance on the amphibious fleet.

In recent years, with Marines committed to long-term presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Navy’s gator force has at times deployed without Marines on unique missions, such as chasing pirates off Africa or serving as a floating health clinic in Asia.

But that may soon be adjusted under the new operational concept known informally as “The Long War brief,” which was signed sometime in late January or early February by Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/02/navy_amphibs_080209w/