Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON -- The I Marine Expeditionary Force is a force in readiness. It constantly prepares for possible contingencies across  the globe through seamless integration with its subordinate commands.

The I MEF Augmentation Command Element, commanded by BrigGen. Thomas J. Nicholoson, is focused on the area behind the front lines, where the battles are diverse and many times undefined. During exercise Ulchi Focus Lens 2000, I MACE explored its purpose on the expanding battlefield. According to LtCol. Greg Plush, Rear Area Operations Group fire support coordinator, it solidified the need to continuously update rear area battle space doctrine.

"An exercise like this, one that is purely simulated, allows us to implement after action steps and update standard and tactical operating procedures," Plush said. As a command post exercise for I MEF, UFL allowed supporting units like I MACE to analyze and enhance organization, procedures and performance for contingency operations between the United States and South Korea. A forward deployed group of I MACE Marine reservists traveled to Korea for the event, but the majority of I MACE assets performed their duties from the Combined Arms Staff Trainer at Camp Las Pulgas.

The I MACE, which was redesignated in December of 1995, is responsible for augmenting and reinforcing I MEF with active-duty Marines, Selected Marine Corps Reservists and other manpower during mobilization. Exercise UFL 2000, which kicked off Aug. 21 with a weeklong planning phase for I MACE Marines, was thrust into full gear at the CAST Aug. 28 with a series of contingency scenarios. The scenarios were designed to put I MACE through a virtual version of what it could experience in a real world situation.

The I MACE, which consists of the Rear Area Operations Center (when mobilized), Deployment Support Group, Liaison Group and the Augmentation Group, was tasked with orchestrating solutions to challenging rear area scenarios, according to Col. Carl Walker, head of the Civilian Military Operations Center.

"There are unique problems in a rear area. The battles fought here are smaller and different focus," Walker said. During the exercise, I MACE was called on to protect main supply routes, relocate displaced citizens, liaison with nongovernmental organizations, provide fire support coordination and provide assistance for a number of other scenarios.

Although all situations in the exercise were simulated via telephone, teleconferencing, chat rooms and e-mail, I MACE's mission was the same as it would be in support of an actual contingency. "Ultimately all sections are working together, constantly coordinating and communicating, to maintain the rear area. It is this coordination in the rear area that allows the warfighters in the forward battle area to focus on the mission at hand," Plush said.

With support from I MACE and other units within the rear area battle space, elements on the front lines can concentrate on fighting and winning the battles in front of them, unhindered by events behind them. According to the Marine Corps Rear Area Operations pamphlet, operations conducted in the rear area "...protect the total force, enabling tempo and extending operational reach. Ultimately, success in war will go to the commander who has the greatest ability to orchestrate operations throughout the entire battle space."

Coordination was a key element during UFL, and according to Plush and Walker, advances in technology eased many difficulties that could occur. Communication, coordination and accessibility were almost instantaneous in many circumstances.
"With the advent of the Internet, we have immediate access to one another and information. When things happen, we can affect responses much faster," Plush said. "I wouldn't want to be the enemy in this day and age."

"Technology has had a tremendous effect on our ability to coordinate with each other," Walker added. "Because of the advances in the last few years, we can now benefit from the work others have done so we don't have to reinvent the wheel." Whether it was responding to an imminent nuclear, biological, chemical attack, or coordinating with other supporting units to rebuild a main supply route, elements of
I MACE saved valuable time through the various technologies available. In a real-life contingency, units would be afforded the same types of technology.

While the available technology enhanced their abilities, I MACE Marines still went back to the basics to ultimately decide how they would react to many scenarios. "Whenever we needed a very detailed perspective, we always went back to the old-style maps and overlays to identify problems and solutions," Walker said. "There is only so much you can get from a computer system before you may have to revert back to what you know. We have made important strides in how we do business, but we also have very talented Marines. It's because of their talents and hard work that we have been able to make those strides."

The ultimate goal of the exercise for I MACE, according to Plush, was to learn how to standardized rear area battle space procedures through coordination efforts between I MACE and other units, both Korean and U.S., residing within the rear area. "Every year the scenarios we are presented with and the 'weapons' we have to fight these rear area battles change just enough to make everything different from the last exercise. What's important is learning the correct ways to deal with these specific situations and needs."

The exercise forum is also an opportunity for I MACE and other units to work out the kinks of their operating procedures. "During this exercise everyone's focused on what we're doing here and now. There aren't any distractions, no additional duties that have to be performed," Walker said. "Here we are afforded the opportunity to drill into greater detail and mature faster as an organization than if we didn't have this exercise." With no lives actually at stake, I MACE could make mistakes and learn from them.

"This exercise has been a Marine Corps victory," Walker added. "By conducting analyses of events and determining what it will take to meet these challenges, we can pass what we've learned on and help the Marine Corps be better prepared for the things it will be called on to do."