Shallow-Water Mine Countermeasure Capability for USMC Ground Reconnaissance Assets
Abstract
As the Marine Corps looks to the future with its concept of expeditionary maneuver warfare (EMW), shallow-water mines remain a "show-stopper" to the Corps' forcible entry requirement. With limited Naval assets available, MAGTF commanders are still dependent on Marine ground reconnaissance assets for amphibious reconnaissance of potential beach landing sites -- to include the detection of shallow-water mines. However, while the shallow-water mine threat has grown exponentially in number and complexity since World War II, the Marine Corps' mine countermeasure (MCM) capability has not. In fact, reconnaissance Marines are no longer trained or equipped to detect, mark, or clear shallow water mines. At a minimum, this requires training in shallow-water mine detection, to include hand-held sonar, and specialized nonmagnetic dive equipment. This would allow Marines to conduct amphibious reconnaissance in potentially mined areas, determine if a mine threat exists, and look for gaps in the enemy's shallow-water defenses. Time and resources permitting, advanced MCM training could be added to give reconnaissance Marines a limited capability to detonate and clear shallow-water mines and other obstacles. Marine Corps ground reconnaissance assets must develop a shallow-water mine countermeasure capability to support the forcible entry requirement of expeditionary maneuver warfare.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA520516
Entities
People
- D. A. Schulz
Organizations
- Marine Corps War College