{"id":57303,"date":"2022-12-28T17:05:19","date_gmt":"2022-12-28T17:05:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2022\/12\/28\/new-in-2023-pacific-marine-unit-to-hit-initial-operational-capability\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:44:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:44:04","slug":"new-in-2023-pacific-marine-unit-to-hit-initial-operational-capability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/2022\/12\/28\/new-in-2023-pacific-marine-unit-to-hit-initial-operational-capability\/","title":{"rendered":"New in 2023: Pacific Marine unit to hit initial operational capability"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment<\/a>, the newly reorganized unit that plans to be the Marine Corps\u2019 eyes and ears in the Pacific<\/a>, is set to reach initial operational capability by the end of September 2023, according to Lt. Col. Kurt Stahl, a 3rd Marine Division spokesman. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment<\/a> will be the first unit to put the Marine Corps\u2019 \u201cstand-in force\u201d concept into practice. Part of the Corps\u2019 sweeping modernization effort Force Design 2030, stand-in-forces will be small groups of Marines constantly positioned in contested areas, specifically the Pacific.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hawaii-based 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment will train and operate within reach of strikes from China, the adversary that the Marine Corps is most focused on countering via Force Design 2030. It is composed of a command element, littoral combat team, littoral anti-air battalion and combat logistics battalion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 3rd Marine Regiment in March 2022 was redesignated as the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, reflecting the unit\u2019s focus on close-to-shore operations. It is \u201cthe tip of the spear for Force Design 2030,\u201d Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said in February. <\/p>\n\n\n\t