For the first time in its history, the Marine Corps Reserve is actively deploying multidomain collection assets during an integration course, marking a significant technological milestone for Integrated Training Exercise 3-26 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California.
The Information and Intelligence Integration Course is a rigorous, three-day evolution that provides a progressive training opportunity for Marine Air-Ground Task Force 23 intelligence and information entities to rehearse complex tactics, techniques and procedures associated with advanced equipment operation, data exchange and battlespace awareness.
Historically, this level of multidomain integration has been challenging to replicate in reserve training environments. However, during the exercise, Marines are successfully bridging that gap, actively synchronizing signals intelligence and electronic warfare, limited expeditionary cyberspace operations and information maneuver elements into a single, cohesive intelligence picture.
"As a commander, having a clear and immediate picture of the battlespace is everything," said Marine Corps Col. Aaron Awtry, commanding officer of the task force. "These new emerging technologies within the Marine Corps have fundamentally changed how we operate. They have greatly improved the speed and accurate flow of information from the tactical edge directly to the command operations center, allowing faster, more informed decisions to be made."
Implementing these technologies in real-time through this new course demonstrates the rapid modernization of the reserve force as Marines keep pace with the evolving character of warfare and the demands of the future fight.
The course goes through a combination of classroom instruction, detailed planning and dynamic lane training. Operating within a firing range, intelligence collectors and operators must actively scan the area, locate adversary signatures, and execute information-related activities in a simulated, contested environment. The task force's operations center is then tasked with managing these diverse collections, analyzing the incoming data, and producing actionable intelligence for commanders.
"This gives reserve Marines an opportunity to use capabilities they will not have organically until future force design initiatives are implemented, while increasing our section's proficiency in signals intelligence and electromagnetic warfare integration and operations, said Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 2 Zachary Moore, a subject matter expert and instructor for the course's multidomain assets.
Moore added the course gives units a unique opportunity to bring multiple capabilities into the scenario to coordinate, plan, collect and disseminate intelligence and information products.
"Our 'no sensor left behind' approach helps Marines refine their craft, introduce new capabilities ahead of force structure and capability delivery, and better plan and conduct multidomain operations in increasingly contested environments," he said.
The successful execution of the course sets conditions for information and intelligence support throughout the remainder of the exercise. As the character of warfare continues to evolve, the Marine Corps Reserve's ability to master these next-generation technologies ensures the Marine Corps remains a lethal, ready and agile force prepared to dominate in the complex, data-driven conflicts of tomorrow.