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Closing the Marine Corps aviation-ground logistics gap
MAGTF logistics integration (MLI) is a Servicelevel initiative to integrate ground and aviation logistics processes in order to enhance the deployment, employment, and sustainment of MAGTFs. Over the past decade, we have witnessed numerous innovations in ground and aviation logistics that have been independently successful, but lacking in standardization or integration within the MAGTF. Emerging operating concepts such as disaggregated MAGTF operations and seabasing, along with current fiscal constraints, are driving the need to further modernize and integrate MAGTF logistics in order to optimize support to the warfighter. To the point, the Deputy Commandants, Installations and Logistics (DC l&L) and Aviation (DC AVN), established the MI,I group in October 2012 to develop specific approaches and solutions to some of our most pressing logistics challenges.
While similar to naval logistics integration (NLI) in organizational construct and guiding principles, MLI is focused orí logistics standardization across the MAGTF (NLI concentrates on integration opportunities outside the MAGTF with the Navy and Coast Guard). There are some logical areas where these two complementary efforts should converge. For example, cargo routing and expediting activities need not distinguish between aviation and ground material any more than they should Navy and Marine Corps material, especially when it is destined for the same Amphibious Ready Group/ MELI. So why do we routinely position personnel from both the aviation and ground logistics communities at the same transportation nodes to facilitate throughput of MEU material alongside one another, with Navy personnel simultaneously performing the same function for Amphibious Ready Group material?
NLI and MLI arc both ideal forums for identifying areas such as these where unity of effort among aviation and ground logisticians and among Navy and Marine Corps processes can be streamlined for the common benefit of our Operating Forces. Both NLI and MLI arc committed to ensuring the right balance of combat effective- ness and logistics efficiency required to optimize readiness.
This article highlights three MLI projects that will enhance MAGTF effectiveness, makes a case to reestablish the Marine wing support groups (MWSGs), and provides a bridge between MLI group actions and DC AVN and DC I&I's advocacy construct.
T-AVB Ground Maintenance Integration
During amphibious exercise DAWN BLITZ 2013, a proof-of-principle was conducted to help...