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FM 6-20-10: Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for The Targeting Process

APPENDIX G

MARINE CORPS TARGETING CONSIDERATIONS

Marine Corps operating forces are organized, equipped, and trained to conduct operational maneuver from the sea as a primary means of projecting maritime power ashore. Marine forces contribute to this maritime power projection by providing an amphibious forcible entry capability. Marine forces can also conduct sustained operations ashore and other expeditionary operations, such as--

• Forward presence.

• Crisis response.

• Humanitarian assistance.

• Peacekeeping.

• Command element (CE).

• GCE.

• ACE.

• CSSE.

STANDARD MARINE AIR-GROUND TASK FORCE ORGANIZATION

Standard MAGTF task organizations include the elements discussed in the following paragraphs.

Marine Expeditionary Force

Commanded by a lieutenant general, the MEF includes about 32,000 to 45,000 Marines and sailors. It is normally composed of one or more Marine divisions, a Marine aircraft wing (about 330 to 400 fixed-and rotary-winged aircraft), and a force service support group (FSSG). The FSSG provides medical, transport, supply, maintenance, and engineering sustainability support for about 60 days. The MEF is the primary Marine Corps warfighting organization.

MEF (Forward)

During deployment or transition of an MEF into the theater or as part of maritime pre-positioning operations, an MEF (Forward) may be employed. An MEF (Forward) may constitute the assault echelon of an MEF. An MEF (Forward) includes about 13,000 to 17,000 Marines and sailors. It is normally composed of a reinforced infantry regiment and a Marine aircraft group (about 200 fixed-and rotary-winged aircraft). It is supported by a CSSE that can provide 30 days of sustainability if supported by a maritime prepositional squadron (MPS).

Marine Expeditionary Unit

Commanded by a colonel, the Marine expeditionary unit (MEU) includes 2,000 to 2,200 Marines and sailors. The MEU GCE is normally an infantry battalion landing team (BLT) reinforced with the following:

• Field artillery battery.

• Amphibious assault vehicles.

• Light armored recon vehicles.

• Combat engineers.

The MEU is normally supported by an ACE and an MEU service support group (MSSG). The ACE is a reinforced squadron including a mix of attack helicopters; light, medium, and heavy transport helicopter; and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) attack aircraft. The MSSG can provide 15 days of sustainability. MEUs are normally sea-based aboard an amphibious ready group (ARG). They are forward-deployed to meet the operational requirements of the CINC. Forward deployment makes the MEUs the most responsive elements of the MAGTFs. MEUs are trained, equipped, and certified as special operations capable (SOC) before deployment. Because of the size and sustainability, an MEU will generally require reinforcement for extensive and/or extended operations ashore. The MEU is capable of compositing additional forces, transitioning to a MAGTF, or serving as the enabling force to facilitate the introduction of other forces.

SPECIAL PURPOSE MARINE AIR-GROUND TASK FORCES

A special purpose Marine air-ground task force (SPMAGTF) may be used for a mission-specific or constrained-sealift situation. SPMAGTFs are smaller in size than a notional MEU and are, therefore, less capable. SPMAGTFs maybe formed for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, or limited security operations under semipermissive conditions. The SPMAGTF is neither organized nor equipped for operations in a high-or mid-intensity nonpermissive (hostile) environment.

COMMAND AND CONTROL

When sea-based and forward-deployed, the MAGTF is under the operational command of the appropriate theater CINC. It is OPCON to the commander of a numbered fleet. Nevertheless, the MAGTF maintains a close relationship with, and may report for planning to, the amphibious group or squadron commander. When an initiating directive is issued tasking the MAGTF to conduct an amphibious operation, it will specify when the MAGTF will be OPCON to the ATF or naval expeditionary force (NEF) commander. The MAGTF commander is also designated as CLF. This command arrangement remains in effect throughout the amphibious operation until the MAGTF and ATF or NEF commander agree that the MAGTF is securely established ashore. At that point the MAGTF changes operational command to the supported area combatant commander (for example, the JTF commander). The MEF CE has the needed command and control capability to act as a JTF headquarters. The following paragraphs discuss the command and control organization and fictions in the MAGTF.

Fire Support Command and Control Organization

FSCCs are established at each battalion-and higher-level maneuver force of the GCE. An FFCC is established at the MAGTF CE. Each FFCC and FSCC is staffed with representatives of the various Marine and Navy supporting arms. A force fires coordinator (FFC) directs the operations of the FFCC; a fire support coordinator (FSC) is responsible for FSCC operations. Until established ashore, the MAGTF FFCC and the GCE FSCC provide representatives to the SACC of the ATF. Their job is to advise on MAGTF operations and to monitor fire support operations ashore. As FSCCs are established ashore, they coordinate with the FSCCs of adjacent units and of the next higher echelon if ashore. If higher echelon FSCCs are not yet operational, they coordinate directly with the SACC afloat. Once the entire network of FSCCs and the MAGTF FFCC are established ashore, the SACC supervises the coordination of supporting arms until control is passed to the FFCC ashore. The SACC acts as a backup, SACC personnel monitor operations and maintain status boards and communication circuits. If needed, the SACC is prepared to reassume control.

Marine Air Command and Control System

The MAGTF ACE provides a MACCS to control and coordinate air operations ashore. Principal MACCS agencies include the Marine TACC, DASC, TAOC, and MATCD.

The Marine TACC is the senior MACCS agency and serves as the operational command post for the ACE commander. The Marine TACC consists of two sections-future operations section (FOS) and the current operations section (COS). The FOS is responsible for planning air operations in the near future (24 to 72 hours). The FOS receives air support requests from the MAGTF, recommends apportionment of MAGTF aviation assets to support those requests to the MAGTF commander, allocates aircraft sorties to support MAGTF operations, and produces the MAGTF ATO. The FOS typically coordinates directly with other service aviation planners and the MAGTF current operations cell (COC), which includes the FFCC. The COS, concerned with on-going operations, is responsible for managing execution of the daily ATO, coordinating on-going MAGTF air operations with other services and supervising the MACCS. The COS is divided into four sections: a command section that oversees the functioning of the COS; an air support section that supervises MAGTF offensive air support and assault support activities; an air defense section that supervises antiair warfare efforts within the MAGTF AO; and an interface coordination section that is responsible for maintaining and exercising tactical digital information links (TADILs) on which the TACC is operating. The counterparts to the Marine TACC in the other services are the Air Force AOC and the Navy TACC.

The DASC is the MACCS agency responsible for the following:

• Processing immediate air support request.

• Coordinating aircraft employment with other supporting arms.

• Managing terminal control assets.

• Supporting ground combat and combat service support forces.

• Controlling assigned aircraft or itinerant aircraft transiting through the area of responsibility of the MACCS.

The focus of the DASC is on direct air support operations for the GCE commander. The DASC collocates, either physically or electronically, with the senior FSCC of the GCE, coordinating direct air support requirements with the FSCC and the air support section of the Marine TACC COS. The DASC is typically the first MAGTF air command and control agency established ashore. Counterparts to the DASC in the other services are the Air Force ASOC and the Navy HDC and TACC air support section.

The TAOC is the principal MACCS air control agency responsible for airspace control and management. It provides red-time surveillance of assigned airspace and direction, positive control, and navigation assistance for friendly aircraft. Responsible for the detection, identification and intercept control of hostile aircraft and missiles, the TAOC serves as the principal MAGTF air defense agency. The TAOC coordinates with higher, adjacent, and subordinate air defense agencies, to include MAGTF surface-to-air weapon systems, fighter aircraft, and the air defense and interface coordination sections of the Marine TACC COS. Counterparts to the TAOC in the other services are the Air Force CRC and designated Navy sector antiair warfare platforms.

The MATCD provides 24-hour, all-weather air traffic control services to main airfields and forward operating bases. The MATCD also supplements the survallance coverage for the integrated air defense systems of the MAGTF with organic radars. The MATCD typically coordinates with both the air support and defense sections of the TACC COS.

As referenced earlier, the MACCS agencies most directly involved with the targeting process are the Marine TACC and the DASC. However, in the case of TBM attack operations, the TAOC provides the MAGTF sensors responsible for detecting and tracking TBMs and originates a circular error probability ellipse for the missile launch area. The DASC is the MACCS agency responsible for controlling direct air support aircraft (close air support and assault support). The TAOC provides that information and flight following to aircraft conducting deep air support operations within the assigned sector of the TAOC.

During the process of phasing control ashore, the DASC is typically the first MACCS agency established ashore. It normally lands in the same wave as the GCE's senior FSCC. In preparation for assuming control of direct air support operations ashore, the DASC must complete a prescribed checklist of functional capabilities, which normally coincides with a similar checklist completed by the senior FSCC. Once the checklist is complete, the CLF will request from the CATF that responsibility for control of direct air support functions be passed ashore. When the DASC assumes these functions, it is responsible to the Navy TAOC for its operations. Like the DASC, the TAOC also completes a checklist to assume responsibility for sector antiair warfare functions. The Marine TACC, initially operating as a TADC, will also complete a checklist to assume functions as the senior air command and control agency in the AOA. Once this function is passed ashore, the Navy TACC and Marine TADC swap functions, with the Navy TACC reverting to a TADC role and the Marine TADC becoming the Marine TACC. The process of phasing control ashore is normally conducted incrementally, with each agency receiving greater responsibility as the situation matures, until all functions are eventually passed ashore.

Organization for Targeting

Within the NEF, there are essentially two organizations that have a joint force targeting capability--the ATF and the MAGTF CE. The ATF relies on the JIC for all intelligence collection, analysis, and reporting in the ATF. The MAGTF representative for targeting matters in the JIC is the LF target intelligence officer (TgtIntelO). The LF TgtIntelO handles target intelligence and passes it to the TIC in the SACC. TIC personnel maintain the status of high-priority targets and the ATF target list. During operations ashore, the MAGTF CE supports the targeting activities of the GCE and the mission planning of the ACE by responding to requests for targeting data from the GCE and ACE. The targeting focus will be on targets in the MAGTF commander's area of influence. The primary targeting capability in the GCE is at division level.

TARGETING

MAGTFs use the decide, detect, deliver, and assess targeting methodology that is essentially the same as that used by the Army. FMFM 6-18 and this manual are the references for MAGTF targeting. The purpose of targeting in the MAGTF is to select for attack enemy installations, units, or equipment that are most vulnerable and best support mission accomplishment. All echelons of the MAGTF do not have an officially designated target information section (TIS). The targeting process is done in every FFCC and FSCC. Targeting is an integral part of the planning process that begins when a mission is received and continues through all phases of the plan. It is based on the friendly scheme of maneuver and/or tactical plan. It includes an assessment of the weather, terrain, and the enemy situation. The assessment identifies enemy units, equipment facilities, and terrain which must be attacked or influenced to ensure success. Targeting includes a priority list specifying the following:

• Targets to be acquired and attacked.

• When the targets are to be acquired and attacked.

• What is needed to achieve the desired effects on the target.

Selected crucial targets are also identified for deliberate BDA and follow-up action. The targeting process supports the commander's decision and helps determine which attack option will be used. Maneuver, fires, electronic attack, or a combination of these maybe used to attack the selected targets.

KEY TARGETING PERSONNEL

There are several special staff officers who play important roles in the targeting process. The following paragraphs discuss some of the personnel and their duties in the targeting process.

Target Information Officer

A TIO may be assigned as part of the MAGTF FFCC. There is always, however, a TIO assigned to the GCE FSCC in a division-size GCE. This TIO is provided by the artillery regiment. He is a member of the G3 staff and is responsible for performing targeting. He works closely with the TgtIntelO in the G2 section. At lower command echelons, the FSC performs the TIO duties. Duties of the TIO include the following:

• Maintaining reports on potential targets from G2 and S2 staffs, units, and other FSCCs.

• Maintaining target lists, cards, and records.

• Performing preliminary weaponeering.

Target Intelligence Officer

The division TgtIntelO is a member of the G2 section. He works closely with the TIO. Although lower Marine echelons have no TgtIntelO, S2 staff performs his targeting functions. The TgtIntelO duties include the following:

• Target information collection.

• Target analysis.

• Preparation of target intelligence products.

• Dissemination of target intelligence.

Decision-Maker

Marine Corps doctrine uses the term decision-maker to indicate reliance on watch officers, staff, and commanders who have authority to make target attack decisions. In the decision-making process, by Marine Corps doctrine, he considers the following three options:

• Order the GCE to attack the target if it is in the range and capability of the GCE.

• Pass the target attack requirement to the ACE for an air strike.

• Request attack by other means (for example, naval surface fires and Air Force bombers).

TARGETING DECISIONS

The MAGTF commander makes decisions on OAS priorities with recommendations from the GCE and ACE commanders. Subject to the MAGTF commander's apportionment decision, the GCE commander establishes close air support priorities. The ACE commander provides the GCE commander with an estimate of the aviation capability that can be applied toward OAS. The MAGTF commander makes apportionment decisions with the advice and recommendations of the GCE and ACE commanders.

CAS Targets

Analysis of CAS targets is the responsibility of the GCE commander. The GCE commander identifies, plans, establishes target priorities, and coordinates air attacks in accordance with his ground concept of operations. The GCE commander distributes CAS sorties allotted to him. If additional CAS support is required, it is requested through the ATF or NEF (whichever is appropriate) or JTF.

Deep Air Support Targets

DAS is conducted in the MAGTF AO on the basis of the scheme of maneuver. The GCE and ACE commanders recommend DAS targets to the MAGTF commander for air interdiction by the MAGTF. The MAGTF commander nominates targets outside his AO to the JFC through the CATF or NEF commander as necessary. The MAGTF commander may also request more sorties from the JFC on DAS targets in the MAGTF AO if they exceed the capability of the MAGTF capability.

Air Tasking Cycle

The MAGTF air operations tasking process is based on a 24-hour cycle. The end product of that process is the Marine ATO. If the amphibious operation is being conducted under a joint force commander, the ATF and MAGTF air tasking cycle will conform to the established joint air tasking cycle procedures.