FORCE DEVELOPMENT FOCUS AREA

Cyberspace and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Freedom of action in cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) is a key enabler to 21st century military operations. MAGTF operations depend upon cyberspace and the EMS.

Adversaries will seek to gain cyberspace superiority by exploiting the porous nature of the domain and making use of disruptive, game-changing technologies to stage operations in cyberspace at the time and place of their choosing. MAGTF commanders must confront and contest these adversaries in cyberspace to counter any potential operational advantage they might have. There are three critical challenges that must be considered when developing these capabilities:

• Understand that activities and operations in cyberspace not only support objectives within the domain itself, but also the other domains.
• The MAGTF must plan for and manage operational dependencies, vulnerabilities, and opportunities available in cyberspace and the EMS to execute C2, maneuver, fires, and gain awareness.
• Integrating and synchronizing cyberspace and EMS operations will be critical to mission success.

Doctrine for Cyberspace Operations and EMS Operations has undergone initial development and the Marine Corps are implementing a key component with the development of the Cyber Electronic Warfare Coordination Cell (CEWCC). The CEWCC coordinates the integrated planning, execution, and assessment of cyberspace and EMS operations across the MAGTF’s operational environment to increase operational tempo and achieve military advantage. The MAGTF commander uses the CEWCC to ensure all organic and non-organic cyberspace and EMS-dependent capabilities are planned, executed, and assessed during all phases of an operation; and are incorporated into the MAGTF’s operational design, concept of operations (CONOPS), scheme of maneuver, concept of fires support, intelligence operations, as well as in appropriate detailed plans and annexes. Additionally, the CEWCC provides an enhanced MAGTF capability for planning, requesting, and coordinating non-organic ‘reach-back’ support from external agencies to include Special Technical Operations. Because this support often requires long lead times and extensive coordination with national-level agencies, MAGTFs will rely heavily upon the CEWCC during deliberate planning, inter-deployment periods, and during preparation for deployment.