US Marines conduct series of exercises with Indo-Pacific partners

Asia-Pacific, News, US October 5, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

United States Marines and Sailors from Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA) began its second rotational deployment in the Indo-Pacific region. The deployment of the U.S. forces will continue through mid-December.

The U.S. Marines and sailors began their deployment with joint naval exercise Sama Sama with the Philippine forces on September 26, 2023. The U.S. forces are conducting a series of exercises and security cooperation engagements with regional allies, including the Philippine Marine Corps, Indonesian Marine Corps, and Royal Malaysian Navy.

According to the U.S. Marine Corps statement, MRF-SEA rotation “marks a significant step towards implementing Marine Corps Force Design concepts for the efficient force deployment and sustainment of U.S. Marine forces in the vast Indo-Pacific region.”

During this deployment, the exercises and activities will offer the U.S. forces opportunities to improve collaboration with Indo-Pacific partners in various fields, including combined naval operations, heliborne operations, coastal defense operations, amphibious raids, company and platoon-level live-fire exercises, and knowledge and experience sharing among subject matter experts.

The commanding officer of the MRF-SEA 23, Col. M. Thomas Siverts said in a statement that “Leading Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia while shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners, inside their respective command posts, provides a remarkable and dynamic vantage point.”

Col. Siverts added, “We are enabling operations that span the vast expanse of the Indo-Pacific region, demonstrating our adaptability in pursuit of our mission. This unique setup emphasizes our commitment to shared security objectives and enhances our collaboration with Allies and partners in a rapidly changing environment.”

^{U.S. Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia and Indonesian marines with 7th Infantry Battalion, 4th Marine Brigade, conduct a patrol during Keris Marine Exercise 23, on PiaBung Training Area, Lampung, Indonesia, in November 2023. (Image Credit: Twitter/@PacificMarines)}

The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit commanding officer and command element are at the helm of this MRF-SEA rotation. The modular force is designed to promote interoperability and strengthen partnerships with Southeast Asian allies and partner states.

The force comprises a compact command element, along with attached enablers, a reconnaissance platoon, joint terminal attack controllers, air and naval gunfire liaisons, explosive ordnance disposal Marines, and operators skilled in unmanned aerial systems.

The U.S. Marine Corps release highlighted that the “MRF-SEA serves as a flexible deployment option for joint force commanders to advance maritime security objectives in close partnership with regional Allies and partners. As a task-organized force, it can be adjusted to fit the specific needs of the theater, including changes in composition, size, and duration.”