With the battle against the Islamic State group gaining intensity both at home and abroad, Marines are set to lead the way in 2016.
From critical skills operators to Harrier airstrikes to quietly bolstering America's regional allies, the Marine Corps will provide the tip of the spear in the campaign against the self-proclaimed caliphate, building on its expanded operations over the last year.
Up front will be the Marine Corps Special Operations Command, which assumes command of Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Iraq early next year.
MARSOC Raiders will provide the staff element for its next rotation, marking a milestone for the decade-old command, MARSOC spokesman Capt. Barry Morris told Marine Corps Times in August.
"This deployment is the first time MARSOC has formed and deployed a full CJSOTF staff," he said. "MARSOC units are in high demand among the theater special operations commanders due to [the command's] reputation for professionalism and combat-proven small-unit tactics, cultural awareness and operations-intelligence integration at all levels."
Speaking before the Senate Armed Services Committee Dec.1, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced the expansion of Special Forces activity against IS with the deployment of a "specialized expeditionary targeting force" to fight alongside Iraqi and Kurdish peshmerga forces.
"These special operators will over time be able to conduct raids, free hostages, gather intelligence, and capture [Islamic State] leaders," Carter said. "This force will also be in a position to conduct unilateral operations into Syria."
An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, launches from the amphibious assault ship Kearsarge for a mission over Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Photo Credit: MCSA Ryre Arciaga/Navy
Across the region, Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force — Crisis Response — Central Command will also continue a range of operations directly or indirectly supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
In addition to quick reaction forces, tactical aircraft and personnel recovery teams available to move out on minimal notice, SPMAGTF-CR-CC will provide embassy reinforcement, logistics and infrastructure support as well as fixed-site security to the advise-and-assist teams training Iraqi security forces at al Assad and al Taqaddum.
The task force will also deploy teams to train security America's regional partners in the fight.
