AUGUST 22, 2024 – In August, Marines from Delta Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, conducted a combined High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) exercise as part of Intrepid Maven Oasis (IMO) within U.S. Central Command’s (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility. IMO, led by U.S. Marine Corps Forces, USCENTCOM, marked a significant milestone in the evolution of Marine Corps expeditionary fire support capabilities.
Over the course of three days, Delta Battery Marines deployed and employed these systems in challenging environmental conditions. After a full day of dry-fire rehearsals, the event culminated with two nights of live-fire execution under real-world conditions.
Operating from a Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules aircraft, the Marines deployed launchers to a pre-planned location. The KC-130J played a critical role in the operation, ensuring the quick insertion of the HIMARS and NMESIS units. Upon landing, the Marines rapidly offloaded the launchers, established essential communications, and set up defensive positions.
Utilizing the callsign “Deadshot,” the Marines demonstrated their capability to compute and execute fire missions with precision, even in a communications-degraded environment. The HIMARS and NMESIS systems launched multiple missiles, successfully engaging simulated targets at long distances. The exercise tested the Marines’ ability to operate under realistic conditions, including the presence of civilian traffic in the area.
“Intrepid Maven Oasis provided the Marines a valuable opportunity to refine their tactics and demonstrate the effectiveness of the systems we use in a challenging environment,” said Captain Joseph Wright, spokesperson for U.S. Marine Corps Forces, USCENTCOM.
IMO also provided the Marines with an opportunity to validate the HIMARS Rapid Infiltration (HIRAIN) and Naval Strike Missile Rapid Infiltration (NAVRAIN) concepts, which are designed to enhance the Marine Corps’ ability to deliver precision fires from austere and forward-deployed locations. These concepts are critical components of the Marine Corps’ modernization efforts, aligning with the Commandant’s Force Design 2030.
The exercise concluded with a successful redeployment of the units back to the continental United States. Major Jonathan Bowman, the lead exercise planner and Future Operations Planner with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, USCENTCOM, highlighted the importance of such exercises in preparing the Marine Corps for future conflicts. “Intrepid Maven Oasis allowed us to test and validate new expeditionary fire support concepts, ensuring that our forces remain ready and capable in an increasingly complex global security environment,” said Bowman.
The scenario challenged the Marines and allowed them to demonstrate superior tactical ability with both rapid infiltration into the objective area and effective employment of their weapon systems. The success of IMO underscores the Marine Corps’ commitment to innovation and adaptability, ensuring that its forces are prepared to meet the challenges of modern warfare.
Story by 1st Lt. Michelle Lin
Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade