New Special Purpose MAGTF supports Inherent Resolve

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11.17.2014

Story by 1st Lt. Matthew Finnerty 

Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND - On Oct. 1, the Marine Corps deployed its newest crisis response force, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command, to the Middle East.

“SPMAGTF-CR-CC was created to provide the commander of U.S. Central Command with a forward-deployed, shore-based, scalable and self-contained Marine Air-Ground-Logistics Team able to rapidly respond to crisis and contingency and conduct steady-state Theater Security Cooperation,” said Col. Jason Q. Bohm, commanding officer, SPMAGTF-CR-CC.

Like traditional MAGTF’s, SPMAGTF-CR-CC receives command, control and guidance from a dedicated Command Element. Marines and sailors from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, serve as the Ground Combat Element, the Logistics Combat Element is composed of a detachment from Combat Logistics Battalion 5, and the Aviation Combat Element employs Marines, sailors and aircraft from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the Marine Corps Reserves.

Part of a scheduled deployment to the region, SPMAGTF-CR-CC formed in April 2014 and deployed to CENTCOM in September to begin supporting missions. However, as events unfolded in the region, the Marines and sailors of SPMAGTF-CR-CC became increasingly involved in Operation Inherent Resolve, the coalition campaign focused on combating the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

“The dynamic situation in the Central Command area of operations required the SPMAGTF to hit the ground running and rapidly assume some missions that were not originally planned for our unit,” said Bohm. “We prepare our Marines and sailors to operate during uncertainty and quickly adapt to changing environments.”

The flexibility and drive of SPMGATF-CR-CC’s Marines and sailors quickly made the command a valuable asset to the international coalition.

“One of SPMAGTF’s primary missions is to conduct the Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel when needed,” said Bohm. “This capability has been extended to support our coalition partners as well as U.S. forces.”

Along with the ability to conduct operations to recover and secure American and coalition personnel in the region, SPMAGTF-CR-CC also employs its own aircraft as part of OIR’s offensive operations.

“The SPMAGTF, having its own organic tactical air squadron, is one of the unique characteristics of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force,” said Bohm.

Able to conduct non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance along with dedicated strike missions, AV-8B Harriers from Marine Attack Squadron 211 provide tactical air support to complement SPMAGTF-CR-CC’s ground forces.

This strike capability is supplemented by the Marines and aircraft of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4. The Seahawks, as they are known throughout the Marine Corps, provide SPMAGTF-CR-CC with an all-weather, airborne electronic warfare platform capable of protecting the numerous coalition assets combatting ISIS.

The diverse range of capabilities found within the command highlight the flexibility that defines the Marine Corps as an expeditionary force able to respond to a constantly changing global environment.

“SPMAGTF-CR-CC provides the Combatant Commander with a self-contained, rapid-response, contingency force that can self-move and sustain itself as a Marine Air-Ground-Logistics Team,” said Bohm. “The inherent strength of the MAGTF makes SPMAGTF-CR-CC the Right Force, at the Right Place, at the Right Time.”

• Date Taken: 11.17.2014
• Date Posted: 12.05.2014 02:21
• Story ID: 149473
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)