US forces must relearn old skills and practices in case an adversary denies them access to the services’ advanced-technology capabilities, the top Marine Corps officer said Tuesday. With the growing threat of being forced to operate in an information-denied environment, the Marine Corps is adjusting its training to make its forces relearn how to use paper maps, basic voice radios, and camouflage, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller said at a Center for Strategic and International Studies event. “We’ve developed a system of warfighting that‘s very dependent upon the internet, and the network in space,” he said. Looking at potential adversaries, “do we think that’s going to be there, that network is going to be there?” he said. “I don’t think you can assume that.” Neller said there has to be a balance. “We have to leverage the technology we have for its operational advantage,” but adjust training “to be prepared to fight if it’s not there,” he said. (See also: Never Assume Space is Safe, Hyten Cautions.)
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.