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REMARKS BY
GENERAL MICHAEL W. HAGEE
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS

 BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

REGARDING THE OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 
FORCE ROTATION PLAN

JANUARY 28, 2004

 

Chairman Hunter, Congressman Skelton, distinguished members of the Committee, it is my privilege to report on your Marine Corps and our participation in operations in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

I thank the members of the Committee for their continued support of our Marines.  Let me assure you that the Marine Corps' first priority is, and will continue to be, warfighting readiness and excellence in support of our Nation's security.

Operation IRAQI FREEDOM

During this past year, the Marine Corps, both active and reserve, was engaged in operations from Afghanistan , to the Arabian Gulf , the Horn of Africa, Liberia , the Georgian Republic , Colombia , Guantanamo Bay , and the Philippines .  Most prominent in highlighting the value and power of the Nation's naval expeditionary capability was the Marine Corps' participation in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. 

The I Marine Expeditionary Force deployed a combat ready force of almost 70,000 Marines and Sailors in less than 60 days.  Exploiting the operational speed, reach, and inherent flexibility of seapower, the Navy and Marine Corps, closely integrated with joint and coalition partners and Special Operations Forces, engaged in 26 days of sustained combat operations and fought 10 major engagements, destroying eight Iraqi divisions, before stopping in Tikrit - almost 500 miles inland.

Following major combat operations, I Marine Expeditionary Force assumed responsibility for security and stability in five central Iraq provinces until they were relieved of the last province by coalition forces this past September.

Setting the Force

Since the end of major combat operations, the Marine Corps has been setting the force in order to enhance and maintain warfighting readiness for future contingencies.  Reloading of combat equipment and material on Maritime Preposition Force shipping is nearly complete.  We are using provided funding to repair, refurbish, and where necessary, replace equipment.  During this period, Marines have continued to forward deploy, and Marine Corps units have continued to support numerous operations to include Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan and operations in the Horn of Africa.  We have conducted a major program to identify and analyze lessons learned from the campaign.  We have also begun to assimilate these lessons and determine where and how our force should be rebalanced.

Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II

The Marine Corps is currently preparing to deploy forces to relieve the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 82d Airborne Division in western Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II.  These forces will be deployed in two rotations of seven months each.  This rotation policy will result in the least disruption for the long-term health of the Marine Corps, precluding stop-loss/stop-move and unnecessary interruptions in recruit training, career progression and development, professional military education, and other deployment requirements.  The first rotation, from March until September 2004, will include 25,000 Marines and their equipment and includes almost 3,000 reserve component Marines.  A second rotation - of like size and composition - will overlap the first and ensure a smooth and stable transition.

In preparation for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II, I Marine Expeditionary Force has analyzed lessons learned from their experiences in conducting security and stability operations from March to September 2003 and recent Army lessons learned.  As they did last year, I Marine Expeditionary Force is already working closely with the Army forces in Iraq ; they have conducted a number of liaison visits with the Army units they will relieve.  They have drawn from procedures used by the Los Angeles Police Department for neighborhood patrolling in gang dominated areas, the tactics of the British in Iraq , which reflect years of experience in low intensity conflicts and peacekeeping operations, as well as our extensive "Small Wars" knowledge.  We have assimilated these lessons through a comprehensive training package that includes tactics, techniques, procedures for stability and counter-insurgency operation.  We have conducted rigorous urban operations training and exercises.  Over 400 Marines are receiving Arabic language immersion training, and all deploying Marines and Sailors are receiving extensive cultural education.

Our supporting establishment is focused on the equipage, logistical, and training requirements of this force - paying particular attention to individual protective equipment, enhanced vehicle and aircraft hardening, and aviation survival equipment and procedures.  While the operational tempo remains high, recruiting and retention continue to exceed our goals.  During this next year Marine Expeditionary Units will still deploy, units will rotate to Japan , and some of those forces will further deploy in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II.  We are diligently ensuring that the Marine Corps remains ready for all our current and future responsibilities.

I look forward to presenting a more detailed statement on the current posture of the Marine Corps when I return before this committee on the 12^th of February.