Long-Range Maritime Air Assault Operation in the Indo-Pacific Theater
by CSM Jason Chase, by Garrett O'Keefe
03.07.2025 at 06:00am
Operational reach refers to the distance and duration a military force can effectively project its capabilities. During a long-range maritime air assault, this concept is directly tied to the limitations of basing and lines of operation. The tyranny of distance across the Indo-Pacific region presents a significant challenge, one that can only be mitigated by higher headquarters providing a well-thought-out support and sustainment plan. Brigade and battalion-level units assume significant risk when conducting long-range maritime air assaults, especially when the operation occurs hundreds of miles away from support.
It is unrealistic to expect a brigade or battalion to support and sustain itself from such a distance without external assistance. This risk extends to medical support, where a battalion’s medical platoon and physician’s assistant are insufficient for managing casualties over long distances. Dedicated air medevac support must be planned and on standby for immediate response. Additionally, joint capabilities, such as U.S. Navy vessels with onboard surgical departments, are critical to mitigating the distance in the event of medical emergencies.
Similarly, naval gunfire support is invaluable for prepping objectives and providing fires that enable ground forces to maneuver freely. The phrase “We will never fight alone again” should be taken seriously, particularly in the context of long-range maritime air assault operations. Units must plan, resource, and train for these type of air assaults.
Air Assault Operations
During a Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center training rotation, the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment “Wolfhounds” practiced one of the most challenging joint operations in our modern strategic catalog; a long-range maritime air assault. During this exercise, the Wolfhounds conducted operations over the north Pacific Ocean, flying from Dillingham Army Airfield on the northern shore of Oahu to Pohakuloa Training Area on the island of Hawaii—more than 200 miles from their higher headquarters. A basic air assault operation is a military mission in which ground forces utilize rotary-winged aircraft and their mobility to combine all available firepower and maneuver assets under a single ground force commander, known as the air assault task force commander. The goal is to enable the commander to envelop the enemy and gain a battlefield advantage by seizing and securing key terrain.
https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/03/07/long-range-maritime-air-assault-operation-in-the-indo-pacific-theater/
