Page 59 - F-35B and USMC

The Integration of the F-35B into USMC Operations

TRANSFORMING THE POWER PROJECTION FORCES FOR THE LIBERAL
DEMOCRACIES

By Robbin Laird
9/12/16

The period ahead could be a very deadly one for the liberal democracies.

Ill-liberal powers whether they be states (Russia, China or Iran) or irredentist movements spouting 12th century
values are clearly working to change the global order to their advantage.

Many factors of power are in play, but clearly one of them is military.

And if the liberal powers can learn to not dissipate their military capabilities and investments in nation
building and other diversions, the reshaping of insertion forces able to meet threats and to meet clearly
established political objectives can be strengthened.

Indeed, the decade ahead can be one of significant transformation for the military forces of the liberal
democracies.
Most of the platforms necessary for transformation already exist; what is needed is more investment in
standing up the new force and commitment to the culture change which a transformed military can deliver.

Also, crucial is changing the culture of the “high priests of strategy” who can find many places to send the
military to serve metaphysically defined rather than Realpolitik objectives.

There needs to be a transformation of the strategic culture to recognize that setting clear and limited
objectives and achieving clearly delaminated strategic objectives is necessary prior to sending the
military as errand boys for abstract and undefined objectives.

Building the Honeycomb Modular Power Projection Force

Earlier, in our 2013 book on The Remaking of American Military Power in the Pacific: A 21st Century
Strategy, we argued that a new approach to military transformation and engagement between the U.S. and
allies and partners in the Pacific was necessary to protect the interests of the liberal democracies in the
Pacific.

The evolution of 21st century weapon technology is breaking down the barriers between offensive and defensive
systems. Is missile defense about providing defense or is it about enabling global reach, for offense or
defense? Likewise, the new 5th generation aircraft have been largely not understood because they are inherently
multi-mission systems, which can be used for forward defense or forward offensive operations.

Indeed, an inherent characteristic of many new systems is that they are really about presence and putting a grid
over an operational area, and therefore they can be used to support strike or defense within an integrated
approach. In the 20th Century, surge was built upon the notion of signaling. One would put in a particular
combat capability – a Carrier Battle Group, Amphibious Ready Group, or Air Expeditionary Wing – to put down
your marker and to warn a potential adversary that you were there and ready to be taken seriously. If one
needed to, additional forces would be sent in to escalate and build up force.

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