Unified Vision for the Future

The U.S. Navy riverine squadrons are currently operating in Iraq. They were formed in response to a requirement for a riverine capability and Navy need for greater relevance in the Global War on Terror. Historically, riverine forces have an episodic history; formed for conflicts and discarded at their conclusion. The requirement were superseded by budget requirements for maintenance of the Mahanian fleet. At the conclusion of the War in Iraq, the Navy will face that same decision. The Marine Corps plans to fulfill its non-traditional support of National Defense Strategy by creating a Security Cooperation MAGTF. It will provide a persistent, forward deployed Marine presence in a manner that meets the strategic security cooperation needs of the Department of Defense. The integration of the Navy's riverine force and the Marine Corps SCMAGTF will give the RIVRON a sustainable relevance that will institutionalize it and enhance the SCMAGTF Theater Security Cooperation capacity.