MARINE CORPS TRAINING AREA BELLOWS, HI -- With modernization and pacing threats challenging the Marine Corps to improve in new ways, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment remains at the forefront of innovation. One such advancement in the regiment’s training methodologies and warfighting tactics is the Littoral Reconnaissance Team concept. From January 18-25, 2024, Marines with 3d Littoral Combat Team spent a week at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, experimenting with the LRT concept.
“An LRT is a low-signature, easily deployable team that uses multi-discipline sensors and collection sources for reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance in the littoral zone,” said Sgt. Jordan James, chief scout with 3d LCT. “During this field operation, the LCT used an LRT to test day and night data collection and share assets on naval vessels.”
3d LCT| The LRT and the Stalker
Photo by Sgt. Jacqueline Parsons
A U.S. Marine with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division remotely controls a small unmanned aircraft system during a training evolution at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, Jan. 24, 2024. The training experimented with the Littoral Reconnaissance Team concept while operating multiple advanced data collection systems and assets, such as the Stalker VXE30 small unmanned aerial system. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacqueline C. Parsons)
Within an LRT are Signals Intelligence/Ground Electronic Warfare Marines, Scout Marines, a Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems team, and a Maritime Surveillance Team. Most of these elements are already organic to 3d LCT’s intelligence section. The sections traditionally work independently, but when employed together they can enhance 3d LCT’s capabilities in a way that better fits the requirements of stand-in force operations.
“We are using the landward portion of the littorals to establish an expeditionary base and conduct operations for maritime domain awareness in support of the Joint Force’s ability to conduct sea denial and sea control. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Corey Sullivan, Signals Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Operations Officer with 3d MLR
“A small team, with a generator and a couple of Utility Task Vehicles can conduct operations that have effects at the strategic level – that’s incredible.”
The bulk of the expeditionary advanced base spanned about 8 meters, with all operations conducted out of the tactical vehicles. The tailgates tabled a few laptops, all running data collecting or radar software. In the front seats were the scouts with thermal, day and night optics. Off to one side a bit farther away was the Stalker VXE30 sUAS. On the other side was a commercial navigation radar. The entire set up only took a few hours to become functional.
The Marines also made sure to have real targets by working with the U.S. Coast Guard to have vessels pass by at random throughout the day – their transportation routes and hull sizes unknown to the Marines. When the vessels were detected, the LRT locked-on visuals, sent the Stalker VXE30 sUAS to get surveillance imagery, used artificial intelligence object recognition to identify the type of vessel, pinpoint its exact location, and surveyed radio activity using electromagnetic spectrum radars – all while broadcasting live updates to its higher headquarters.
3d LCT| The LRT and the Stalker
Photo by Sgt. Jacqueline Parsons
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. David Schodowski observes a naval vessel through a Recon B2-FO Dual Channel Day/Night Thermal Biocular during a training evolution at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, Jan. 23, 2024. The training experimented with the Littoral Reconnaissance Team concept while operating multiple advanced data collection systems and assets, such as the Stalker VXE30 small unmanned aerial system. Schodowski, a native of San Diego, is a scout sniper with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacqueline C. Parsons)
“A Marine can see a ship on the horizon and launch the sUAS in a couple of minutes or less,” said Sullivan. “These programs cut down the time required to relay information, thereby speeding up the sensor-to-shooter kill web.”
With this technology, the MLR will be able to provide validated and expedient data to the Joint Force.
“We may be using computer programs and artificial intelligence to reduce some of our workload, but it still takes diligence and determination from the Marines,” said James. “We’re here, in the Pacific, ready to answer any call to action that comes."
In doing this training and having this skill and mindset, 3d MLR expands the potential of the LCT and pushes the bounds of what it means to be “in the air, on land, and sea.”