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STRATMOBEX

STRATMOBEX is a no notice exercise conducted in Norway to enhance readiness and interoperability between Marines stationed in Norway as part of the Marine Corps Pre-Positioning Program – Norway, and Norwegian allies. The key to rapid issue of unit equipment is a flexible, automated (if possible) issue control system. Lists of equipment are prepared for each unit and detachment responsible for maritime prepositioned equipment/supplies (MPE/S) in the objective area.

The various deployment postures are defined by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan (JSCP) levies requirements on specified commanders for short notice deployment of certain force levels, and contains certain planning estimates of times needed to marshal MAGTF's for sea or air movement. The deployment guidelines are for general military capabilities; they do not orient towards any specific force or contingency until execution planning begins.

Under agreements dating back to the Cold War, US Marines have six mountain caves in the Trondheim area. Three are reserved for the storage of military equipment, the other three - for ammunition. Also, two airports are provided to the Americans in the central part of the country. The equipment is not just idle in warehouses, but is withdrawn and then actively used either during NATO exercises in Europe, or during operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan. Every few years, taking into account the international situation, the Americans revise the list of what is in stock and update the line of items.

The 7th MAB has been refining the Maritime Pre-positioned Force concept since the brigade was formed in 1980. The brigade developed much of the doctrine for this unique strategic concept and conducted the initial Near-Term Prepositioned Ships shiploading and exercises that led to the Maritime Pre-position Force. During Strategic Mobility Exercise (STRATMOBEX)2-87, conducted at McChord AFB, and Fort Lewis, Wash., the brigade took the lead again - this time in the refinement of the procedures to be used for the fly-in-echelon (FIE) of the MPF. With support from various Air Force and Army units, nearly 1,000 Marines and sailors exercised critical aspects of forming, loading, transporting, and unloading the FIE. Also, the MAB's all important Survey Liaison Reconnaissance Party was fully exercised for the first time. A Force Movement Control Center was established at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and a Command Center was set up at the MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, Calif., to control the entire operation until the commanding general flew into the operating area.

From April 2-6, 2001, 7th Marines conducted Strategic Mobility Exercise 2001, in which every unit in the regiment prepared for an emergency deployment. From start to finish, Marines took every step they would take in the event of a real-life deployment, from initial notification to embarkation. Gearing up for global emergencies is not as simple as throwing gear in a seabag and grabbing some MREs. It's an extraordinarily complicated affair that has to be completed in a limited amount of time.

Marines from the 1st Tank Bn.; 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Bn.; 3rd Bn., 11th Marines; 1st and 2nd Bns., 7th Marines and Headquarters Co., 7th Marines participated in StratMobEx 01. Marines and Sailors from those units spent the week packing their gear and their units' equipment they would need for the "deployment." But StratMoBex covered much more area than merely assuring Marines could gear up for battle quickly.

There were also more mundane, though equally important, tasks to complete, many of which took place after Marines' normal working hours. Units took turns getting pre-deployment medical and dental screenings and went to the Staff Judge Advocate's office to declare powers of attorney and write last wills and testaments. Units also updated their service record books at the Installation Personnel Administration Center. Units simulated taking care of personal business such as packing household belongings and storing vehicles. Finally, Marines formed up for their final pre-embarkation inspections.

That's a lot for several thousand Marines and Sailors to get done within a few days, but some didn't even get that much time. Some units have to be ready to deploy within 48 hours. The first, and therefore quickest responding, of the regiment's Marines during a deployment are the Surveillance, Liason, and Reconnaissance Party. The SLRP team makes an initial assessment of the arrival and assembly area and assists the respective commanders and their staffs in the final evaluation of the arrival and assembly plan and preparation for the MPF operation.

The SLRP team, comprised of officers and enlisted Marines from throughout the regiment, took their gear and vehicles to March Air Reserve Base near Riverside April 6. The team loaded an Air Force C-141 cargo jet with two Humvees and a trailer full of all the equipment they would need to pave the way for the rest of the arriving Marines. Once the jet was loaded, the team conducted a fly-away as if it were actually on its way to a trouble spot. However, the plane only landed in Palm Springs.

U.S. Marines with 2d Transportation Support Battalion (2d TSB), Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and Combat Logistics Regiment 45 (CLR-45) record serial numbers of equipment delivered to the assembly area during Strategic Mobility Exercise 17 (STRATMOBEX) near Stjørdal, Norway, May 4, 2017. STRATMOBEX simulated a no-notice deployment for 2d TSB, CLR-45 and host nation entities in order to replicate likely contingency operations. STRATMOBEX develops the U.S. Marine Corps’ ability to rapidly deploy forces anywhere in Europe and reassure allies and partners of our commitment to the region.