More Marines Will Deploy Aboard USNS, Even Foreign Ships

RP Members the increasing likelihood of littoral conflict has fueled the return of Marines to their naval roots.
But the growing demand for an amphibious force in readiness is challenged by an insufficient number of US Navy amphibious ships to meet current requirements. "I do not expect that situation to change for many years to come," former Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford, now chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in his planning guidance. "As Expeditionary Force 21 emphasizes, we need to modify traditional employment methods and augment amphibious warships by adapting other vessels for sea-based littoral operations. We will aggressively develop concepts of employment for alternative platforms that are consistent with mission requirements and platform capabilities."