U.S. Marines enhance anti-ship tactics in Hawaii

MARINE CORPS TRAINING AREA BELLOWS, Hawaii – U.S. Marines assigned to 3rd Littoral Combat Team’s Medium-Range Missile (MMSL) Battery conducted a two-part training evolution at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, Sept. 28 to Oct. 2, 2026, to build proficiency in modernized artillery operations, distributed command and control, and foundational field skills.

The training supported 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment’s mission to secure key maritime terrain, synchronize combined-joint fires, and protect critical sea lanes across complex littoral environments. For 3rd LCT’s MMSL Battery, the exercise enhanced the individual and collective skills required to employ the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System and provide organic, precision maritime fires to support combined and joint force operations.

“The NMESIS is a critical component of the Marine Corps’ Force Design initiatives to meet the needs of the modern battlespace,” said Capt. Daniel Cook, the MMSL Battery operations officer. “As a highly capable, mobile, and survivable system, it can effectively deny maritime threats access to critical waterways from distributed and austere sites.”

Platoons within the MMSL Battery completed two courses of instruction designed to reinforce readiness through realistic, scenario-driven training. The first course focused on basic artillery tactics, and the second course developed core field skills through patrolling, fire team attacks, tactical combat casualty care, and local security training.

During the exercise, Marines conducted command and control at both the battery and platoon levels while planning for operations and establishing operations centers. These distributed nodes enabled leaders to coordinate movement, process targeting information and direct simulated firing missions through each phase of the training.

The artillery portion required Marines to conduct reconnaissance, select and occupy positions, establish security and execute rapid displacements. Marines also trained NMESIS fire mission processing and procedures, reinforcing the communication, coordination and technical proficiency necessary to employ anti-ship capabilities.

“The training emphasized readiness through realistic scenarios that required Marines to execute the same fundamental tasks they may be called upon to perform across demanding maritime terrain,” said Cook. “By rehearsing command and control, position occupation, fire mission processing, and field skills, we strengthened the battery’s ability to operate as a team and provide a flexible maritime fires option to the combined or joint force.”

By combining artillery-specific training with basic fieldcraft, 3rd LCT’s MMSL Battery continued to develop disciplined and adaptable Marines prepared to support 3rd MLR’s ability to operate across littoral terrain and contribute to maritime security and coastal defense.

Initially fielded to 3rd MLR in 2024 and as a cornerstone in the Marine Corps' Force Design initiative, the NMESIS provides joint force commanders an expeditionary and survivable ground-based anti-ship platform at extended ranges. Since receiving the system, 3rd MLR has deployed the NMESIS to the Philippines during multilateral exercises like Balikatan and KAMANDAG to enhance interoperability while training shoulder-to-shoulder with regional allies and partners.

3rd MLR is a subordinate unit of 3rd Marine Division and is a specialized U.S. Marine Corps unit purpose-built for operations across complex littoral terrain. Based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, 3rd MLR integrates advanced sensing, survivable command and control, littoral maneuver and modern maritime fires alongside combined and joint partners in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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