Artillery's Role In Sea-based Expeditionary Fires

Fire support and maritime history was made in late October 2017 during exercise Dawn Blitz2017.

- Maj. Adam Ropelewski

R Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment supported the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Expeditionary Strike Group 3 by successfully demonstrating the ability to fire a Guided Multiple Launch Rocket-Unitary (GMLRS-U) from an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) off the flight deck of the USS Anchorage (LPD-23), an LPD-17 San Antonio Class Amphibious Ship.

There were two training objectives for the sea-based expeditionary Fires (S-BEF) demonstration: the successful launch of one GMLRS-U rocket from an amphibious platform and the successful engagement of a land-based target at the range of 70 kilometers. Both were achieved. This successful demonstration of S-BEF identified a cross-domain capability that can be utilized by a task force to precisely strike enemy targets from the sea.

The scenario for the S-BEF demonstration required an enemy island-based coastal defense cruise missile (CDCM) site to be neutralized. This would allow the amphibious task force (ATF) to maneuver into position to attack additional targets on the island and establish expeditionary advanced bases to support the ATF’s future operations. As the enemy force was identified on the southern portion of the island, the ATF determined all available assets would be required to destroy the defending enemy force. Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance identified the targets for the S-BEF, as Naval Surface Fires Support from Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer, a rotary-wing attack aircraft, as well as Joint Strike Fighters from amphibious ships. The S-BEF was sequenced to fire first in order to neutralize the CDCM and allow for other ATF assets to position themselves and attack the remaining enemy forces. Upon identification, S-BEF destroyed the CDCM’s radar, with the newfound freedom to maneuver, the ATF’s ships repositioned as required.