An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | June 28, 2022

MRF-D ACE Enhances Combined Air Superiority through Exercises Raptor's Strike and Diamond Storm

By Capt. Joseph DiPietro Marine Rotational Force - Darwin

DARWIN, Australia -- The Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) Aviation Combat Element (ACE) participated in Exercises RAPTOR’S STRIKE 22 and DIAMOND STORM 22 alongside Australian Defence Force (ADF) members from May 02 – June 24.

RAPTOR’S STRIKE 22 featured low altitude air defense (LAAD) interoperability and allowed USMC LAAD Marines from the Marine Air Control Group 38 (MACG-38) detachment to integrate with their counterpart ADF forces in Adelaide, South Australia. MRF-D Marines worked closely with the 110th Air Defense Battery to enhance integrated air and missile defense. The exercise demonstrated a primary feature of force design 2030 concepts and expeditionary advanced base operations.

“Working with 110 Battery was a valuable experience that allowed us to learn from each other, which strengthened a bond that will undoubtedly be passed to future MRF-D deployments,” said First Lieutenant Alexander Bazanos, the platoon commander for the MRF-D LAAD detachment. “Working with our Australian air defense counterparts opened the door for creating TTPs for future MACG-38 and ADF integration.”

Air defense capabilities are a necessity for Marine Corps operations in the Indo-Pacific, and around the world. After several decades of competing in areas where friendly air superiority seemed nearly a guarantee, the operating environment changed. In this environment, air defense assets are critical and enable maneuver. Integrating allied air defense capabilities will further increase our ability to maintain freedom of maneuver.

“We will fight in defense of our allies and will operate in close alignment with them, from their territories, alongside their ships and aircraft, and in cooperative and even integrated formations on the ground,” provided General David Berger, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, in his 2019 planning guidance. “Our forward deployed forces will continue to enhance the interoperability of our tactics, techniques, and procedures, while our capability developers enhance the interoperability of our systems.”

Following RAPTOR’S STRIKE 22, the MRF-D ACE shifted focus to supporting Exercise DIAMOND STORM 22 by providing aviation coordination and battlespace awareness to the allied exercise force.

"Through all-domain awareness, the Tactical Air Control Element (TACE) supported multiple concurrent exercises, to include DIAMOND STORM," said MACG-38 Detachment Lance Corporal Ethan H. Cooper. "Specifically, working alongside our Royal Australian Air Force counter-parts during DIAMOND STORM allowed the TACE to develop key relationships, anti-Air warfare TTPs, and enhance the MRF-D battlespace awareness. All of these are critical to enabling exercises KOOLENDONG 22 and the ADF-led PITCH BLACK 22, while supporting real-world contingencies."

DIAMOND STORM 22 was an Australian-led Air Warfare Instructor Course which incorporated some of Australia’s top pilots and special operations forces. In addition to providing battlespace awareness with the MACG Detachment, MRF-D supported the exercise with MV-22 lift, transportation, and maneuver.

“The Air Warfare Centre and 88 Squadron, equivalent to our Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron, put together a world class exercise that focuses on detailed integration of offensive air support, offensive counter air, suppression of enemy air defenses, fixed wing delivered close air support, assault support, and airborne command and control,” provided Captain Zac Brown, a Weapons and Tactics Instructor and the Pilot Training Officer for the MRF-D Air Combat Element. “MRF-D ACE participation in this exercise allowed us to operate, force on force, against a thinking adversary with a comprehensive and modern integrated air defense system within a contested electromagnetic spectrum environment during the conduct of long range combat assault transport missions.”

For questions regarding this story, please contact the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin media inquiry email address at MRFDMedia@usmc.mil. Imagery from this rotation and previous can be found at dvidshub.net/unit/MRF-D.

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
362,872
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Travels to the Philippines
Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff (right), and Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, participate in an honors ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, Manila, Philippines, on March 12, 2024. The visit included exchanges on regional security and mutual partnership, further developing the strategic partnership with the Philippines codified in the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon M. Smith)
March 13, 2024 - Manila, PHILIPPINES — Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited the Philippines March 10-14, 2024, where he met with Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Armed Forces of the...

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call with Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru
March 13, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout...

Working Groups Build Capacity and Develop Capabilities with Allies and Partners Across Indo-Pacific
Courtesy photo
March 13, 2024 - More than 450 security cooperation stakeholders and international partners gathered at Camp Withycombe, OR, for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s (USINDOPACOM) combined Capabilities Development Working Group (CDWG) and Security...

USS Annapolis Port Visit in Perth, Australia
March 12, 2024 - USS Annapolis (SSN 760) arrived in HMAS Stirling in Perth, Western Australia Sunday...

U.S. Army Assault Helicopters Conduct Deck Landings on USNS Dahl
Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade exit a U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter after single-spot deck-landing qualifications on prepositioning ship USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312), March 7. (Courtesy photo)
March 12, 2024 - Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade (2-2 CAB) conducted deck landings with U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters on prepositioning ship USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312), March 7...