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Desert Scimitar

Desert Scimitar is the name of an annual 1st Marine Division field exercise traditionally carried out at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) - Twentynine Palms, California. Although past exercises provided an opportunity for Division units to practice live-fire and combat maneuvers, they lacked the geographical scope needed to test the command and control, and logistical capabilities of the Division. To correct this situation, planners of Desert Scimitar 01 (2001) sought ways to test and train the Division's command and control element under conditions more representative of the distances and terrain they would encounter in battle.

Desert Scimitar 01, held 1-12 May 2001, was the 1st Marine Division's inaugural attempt at conducting a division-sized command and control exercise, almost exclusively on public and private lands. Due to the advice, support and cooperation of numerous Federal, state and local agencies, as well as the hospitality of private landowners, this pilot program was a tremendous success. The exercise was well received by the local populace, and received favorable press. More importantly, the exercise objectives were met, validating the importance of this type of training for the Division command element.

The purpose of Desert Scimitar 02, and future Desert Scimitar exercises, remains the same: to test and train the Division's command and control element under conditions more representative of the distances and terrain the 1st Marine Division would encounter in battle. The desert region in southeastern California and southwestern Arizona remains an ideal location to test the Division's capabilities, because the climate, terrain, and hydrology are so similar to Southwest Asia. Since existing military training installations in the region do not by themselves possess the range of conditions needed to fully implement the exercise, the ability to extend the exercise area beyond the boundaries of existing military installations and onto other public or private lands remains critical to testing the Division's physical, logistical, and communication capabilities. In addition, the ability to overcome natural and man-made water obstacles such as rivers and flooded lands remains vital to measuring the Division's warfighting capability. Division planners remain committed to cooperating with land management agencies in Arizona and California, and would continue to be guided by the principle of avoiding environmentally sensitive areas and minimizing potential impacts whenever possible.

The 1st Marine Division (Reinforced) conducted a long-range tactical command, control and communications (C3) exercise between the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), California and the US Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG), Arizona from 22 April to 3 May 2002. The exercise involved 600 wheeled vehicles, and 2,200 Marines. No tanks or amphibious tracked vehicles were used. Tracked construction equipment used at the bridgeheads of the river crossing was trailered in and out, and used only at those sites. Bridgehead construction and restoration began April 15 2002 and ended May 10 2002. The exercise did not involve any sort of live fire activities and all enemy engagements were scripted scenarios conducted over radios. All training activity occured during daylight hours. Upon completion of the day's training activity, units retired to pre-designated and approved bivouac (camping) sites to rest, eat, and conduct debriefs of the training to date. The following day, units assumed their previous positions and resume training.

All travel occured on existing roads (paved and improved surface), with the exception of a portion of Ehrenberg Wash Road, an established, graded road that travels along a wash in areas. All assembly areas were established on developed properties or pre-disturbed sites. Contracted sanitary and waste facilities were provided at each overnight assembly site. Each unit would bring in food, water, and other supplies; there were no shower facilities, but hand washing facilities were available. Standard hazardous material procedures were implemented at all bivouac sites to ensure a maximum level of protection and to prevent potential contamination of the soil from spills.

Before departing from Camp Pendleton, the Marines were briefed on the endangered desert tortoise, how to dispose of waste without attracting animals and other environmental concerns cited by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The division also coordinated with city planners and law enforcement agencies to develop a plan that would fit the division's need for staging areas along the route. Once the tactical motorcade reached Riverside County, the convoy was split into two forces, "main" and "forward." They played a game of "leapfrog" to enhance security while progressing across the battlefield. After hop-scotching across the desert through Riverside and Imperial counties, the Marines landed at Ulmer Field, land loaned by a local farmer and other private owners.

Desert Scimitar 02 gained ground on the previous year's results while putting massive troop movement and bridge building to the test. Approximately 2,000 Camp Pendleton Marines riding in 575 vehicles convoyed to the California-Arizona border and crossed the Colorado River over a bridge speedily erected by a platoon. Their quick work shattered the previous year's timetable for only the second such crossing since Gen. George Patton shepherded an Army division across in the 1940s. 7th Engineer Support battalion, A Company, Bridge Platoon and 6th ESB connect the California and Arizona borders with a ribbon bridge in less than 2 and a half hours, April 29. The river under the expeditionary bridge was moving at 5 feet per second and is 15 feet deep near the center of the river. The bridge enabled 1st Marine Division and other key players of Desert Scimitar Phase II to successfully cross the Colorado River. Bridge Platoon, using six boats with two diesel engines each, maneuvered floating bays into place and completed the bridge in less than 2 1/2 hours. The convoy, carrying Marines from 1st Marine Division, 23rd Marine Regiment and I Marine Expeditionary Force Marines, began rolling across the river four hours ahead of schedule.