106 Ground Combat Element Flashcards
In what ways is 3d MARDIV different from stateside MARDIVs?
- 3rd Marine Division, because of its unique role as the only permanently forward-deployed Marine Division, has an organizational structure that differs from the two other active divisions.
- It has fewer infantry units (2 instead of 3), no tanks, and less AAV, LAV, and engineer units to provide support.
- This shortfall is offset by our utilization of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP), in which other operational Marine units are sent to Okinawa to train and undergo mission rehearsals
- 3rd MAR DIV : 4th Reg in Okinawa, 3rd Reg in Hawaii. No organic tank battalion. Small composite AAV and LAR (not battalion sized) components under 4th Reg.*
Mission & purpose of a Marine Division
Mission: To execute amphibious assault operations and such other operations as may be directed.
-Must be able to provide the ground amphibious forcible-entry capability to an Amphibious Task Force (ATF – group of warships).
Close with & destroy the enemy via amphib ops and/or ground ops.
Employed as the GCE of the MEF & may provide task-organized forces for smaller MAGTFs
Name the types of regiments and battalions in a Marine division.
- 3 (THREE) Infantry Regiments
- Tank Battalion
- Assault Amphibian Battalion
- Combat Engineer Battalion
- RECON Battalion
- Artillery Regiment
- Headquarters Battalion
- Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
GCE of:
MEU
MEB
MEF
GCE of…
MEU = Infantry battalion. Example: Battalion Landing Team (BLT)
MEB = Infantry regiment “reinforced”…
MEF = Division
*There are 3 rifle companies in a Battalion, 3 Battalions in a Regiment, & 3 Regiments in a DIV*
Mission & function of
Infantry Regiment
Infantry Regiment
Mission: To locate, close with, and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver, or to repel his assault by fire and close combat.
-Capable of independent, sustained operations.
~3,000 Marines
mission and function of
Infantry Battalion
Infantry Battalion
Mission: Same as the regiment – To locate, close with, and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver, or to repel his assault by fire and close combat.
- Basic tactical unit of ground combat power, and the nucleus of the BLT (Battalion Landing Team)
- Capable of sustained operations with detachments for several days.
~1,000 Marines
consist of HQ, (3) Infantry, and Weapons companies
mission and function of
Artillery Regiment
Artillery Regiment
Mission: To furnish close and continuous fire support by neutralizing, destroying, or suppressing targets that threaten the success of the supported unit.
- Primary source of fire support for the division.
- Operations are closely integrated with the infantry
~3,000 Marines
mission and function of
Tank Battalion
Tank Battalion
Mission: To close with and destroy the enemy by using armor-protected firepower, shock effect, and maneuver and to provide anti-mechanized fire in support of the Marine Division.
No organic tanks at 3d MARDIV
mission and function of
Headquarters Battalion
Headquarters Battalion
Mission: To exercise command, control, and administration of the Marine Division.
mission and function of
Assault Amphibian Battalion
Assault Amphibian Battalion (AAB)
Mission: To land the surface assault elements of the Landing Force and their equipment in a single lift from assault shipping during amphibious operations to inland objectives, and combat support in subsequent operations ashore.
- Ship-to-shore lift capability during amphibious assault
- AAVs primarily used to transport personnel in tactical operations.
- Marines call them “amtracs,” a shortening of their original designation “amphibious tractor”*
- Can transport cargo forward of the forward edge of the battle area (FEBA).
1st & 2nd MARDIV have battalions; 3d MARDIV has a company under 4th Marine Regiment
AAV:
- Crew: 3
- Load Capacity: 21 Combat Equipped Troops or 10,000 pounds of cargo
- Cruising Speed - Land: 20-30mph. Water: 6mph.
- Used to perform Assault Amphibian Battalion’s mission.
mission and function of
Light Armored Recon Battalion
Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (LAR)
Mission: To conduct reconnaissance, security, and economy-of-force operations, and limited offensive operations that exploit the unit’s mobility and firepower.
LAV-25 Light Armored Vehicle:
- Lightly armored, 8-wheeled, amphibious vehicle; give GCE greater mobility with ability to “swim,” but are limited to non-surf bodies of water (no oceans)
- 25mm cannon, and two 7.62mm machine guns
- Manned and operated by a driver, a gunner, and a vehicle commander
- Can carry 4 infantry scouts in the rear
mission and function of
Combat Engineer Battalion
Combat Engineer Battalion
Mission: To enhance the mobility, counter mobility, and survivability of the Marine Division through close combat engineer support, and to provide the limited general engineering support that is required for the functioning of the Marine Division.
- Builds bridges and other constructions, and clears hazards in amphibious landings
- Also deactivates explosives - EOD
- (1st and 2nd MARDIV only; not 3d MARDIV)*
mission and function of
Recon Battalion
Reconnaissance Battalion
Mission: To conduct amphibious reconnaissance, ground reconnaissance, surveillance, battlespace shaping and limited scale raid in support of the Marine Division and its subordinate elements.
- Observes, identifies, and reports enemy activity, and collects other information of military significance
- Checks out what the battle terrain can be like – condition of beaches, potential helicopter landing zones, where roads and bridges are, etc.
Major Subordinate Elements (MSE)
under 3d MARDIV
- HQBN - Courtney
- 12th Marines - Hansen
- 4th Marines - Schwab
- 3d RECON - Schwab
- 3d Marines - Hawaii
Discuss the principles of
Fire Support Coordination
Fire Support Coordination (FSC)
“Tactical fire direction is the “if” and “how” to attack a target.”
- Fire support is fires that directly support land, maritime, amphibious, and special operations forces to engage enemy forces, combat formation, and facilities in support of operational objectives
- FSC is the planning and executing of fires so that targets are adequately covered by a suitable weapon or group of weapons
4 Fire Support Tasks:
- Support forces in contact
- Support the commander’s concept of operation
- Integrate fire support with the scheme of maneuver
- Sustain fire support
