The Joint Force Maritime Component Commander and Operational Protection for Maritime Forces in the Littorals

Abstract

Abstract : The United States currently has overwhelming military superiority as it enters the 21st Century. However, future adversaries of the United States will continue to focus on using limited conventional military means to deny or severely limit U.S. forces access to a littoral operating base using asymmetric anti-access and area-denial strategies. The Joint Force needs access and freedom of action in the littorals in order to accomplish strategic and operational objectives. Maritime forces can assist in providing operational protection for complex joint operations through concepts like Sea Shield that encompasses the newest technologies, distributed sensors, and a fully networked architecture. To work effectively, it will be vitally important that the Joint Force Maritime Component Commander's (JFMCC) planning and execution is fully integrated and synchronized with the Joint Task Force. An agile and collaborative JFMCC command and control structure and process can facilitate this integration and synchronization. Ultimately, the JFMCC will contribute to the operational protection of the joint maritime force in the littorals by setting and prioritizing objectives, integrating forces, and synchronizing actions.