3rd Marine Littoral Regiment Explores Littoral Mobility with U.S. Army MSV(L) Training

22 September 2025

From 1st Lt. Leah Curtright, III Marine Expeditionary Force

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii — U.S. Marines with 3rd Littoral Combat Team and 3rd Littoral Logistic Battalion, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, performed drills using the U.S. Army’s Maneuver Support Vessel (Light) alongside soldiers assigned to 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) on Wednesday.

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The joint training demonstrated 3rd LCT's ability to conduct equipment recovery operations utilizing the capabilities of the U.S. Army's MSV(L) in a littoral environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Malia Sparks)

3rd LCT conducts beach rehearsals with U.S. Army MSV(L) U.S. Marines with 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, and U.S. soldiers with 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), offload a Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System from a Maneuver Support Vessel (Light) (MSV(L)) on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 17, 2025.

The joint training focused on assessing the feasibility of leveraging the MSV(L) and its unique capabilities to support 3rd MLR mobility operations. Flexible littoral mobility options like the MSV(L) enhance 3rd MLR’s capacity to rapidly maneuver in complex littoral environments utilizing joint equipment.

During the collaborative training, Marines with 3rd LCT and soldiers assigned to 7th TB(X) integrated the MSV(L) into potential operational scenarios, specifically evaluating its utility for supporting Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System battery-level movements. This included familiarization with the vessel’s capabilities, on and offloading procedures, and coordination with Army personnel.

“This training was a valuable opportunity to explore additional littoral mobility solutions in order to enhance our formation’s survivability and sustainability,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Devon Henderson, the 3rd LLB mobility officer. “The MSV(L)’s unique capabilities offer a potential force multiplier, allowing us to extend our reach and respond rapidly to evolving operational demands.”

The MSV(L) is designed for logistics in contested environments, capable of supporting both routine and combat operations by delivering troops and equipment to austere ports, degraded ports, and bare beaches throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Its construction, speed, and maneuverability allow access to areas inaccessible to larger vessels, making it an ideal asset for distributed operations.

The collaboration between 3rd MLR and 7th TB(X) underscores the importance of interservice cooperation in experimenting with emerging logistics concepts and technologies to meet the demands of distributed operations. Future training and integration events are planned to refine tactics, techniques, and procedures for employing the MSV(L) in support of 3rd MLR’s mission.

3rd MLR as a part of the Stand-in Force, disrupts the adversary in a contested littoral environment through reconnaissance, counter-reconnaissance, and sea denial operations in order to support the maritime campaign.