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Updated March 16, 2023
The Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
The Significance of the Multi-Domain
both test its capabilities and develop requirements for
Task Force (MDTF)
equipment and units to be included as part of the MDTF
Congress has expressed concern about the threat to U.S.
force design. According to the Army, the MDTF’s purpose
national security posed by Russia and China. The Army
is
believes that in order to address this threat, it must be able
to operate in a multi-domain (air, land, water, space, cyber,
during competition, to “gain and maintain contact with
information) environment, requiring new operational
our adversaries to support the rapid transition to crisis or
concepts, technologies, weapons, and units. The Multi-
conflict”;
Domain Task Force (MDTF) is the Army’s self-described
“organizational centerpiece” of this effort.
during a crisis, to “deter adversaries and shape the
environment by providing flexible response options to
What Is a Multi-Domain Task Force?
the combatant commander”; and
In the Army’s Chief of Staff Paper #1: Army Multi-Domain
Transformation Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict
if conflict arises, to “neutralize adversary A2/AD
dated March 16, 2021 the Army describes the Multi-
networks to enable joint freedom of action.”
Domain Task Force (MDTF) as “theater-level maneuver
elements designed to synchronize precision effects and
MDTF Organization
precision fires in all domains against adversary anti-access/
The diagram at Figure 1 depicts a notional generic MDTF:
area denial (A2/AD) networks in all domains, enabling joint
forces to execute their operational plan (OPLAN)-directed
Figure 1. Notional Generic MDTF
roles.”
What Is Anti-Access/ Area Denial (A2/AD)?
Anti-Access is defined as any action, activity, or
capability, usually long-range, designed to prevent an
advancing military force from entering an operational
area. Area Denial is defined as action, activity, or
capability, usually short-range, designed to limit an
adversarial force’s freedom of action within an
operational area. In terms of weapon systems, threat
A2/AD defenses are envisioned of being comprised of
layered and integrated long-range precision-strike
systems, littoral anti-ship capabilities, air defenses, and
long-range artillery and rocket systems.
MDTFs are intended to support freedom of action of U.S.
forces. MDTFs are to be scalable from operational to
Source: Chief of Staff Paper #1 Army Multi-Domain Transformation
strategic level and can be modified to support the needs of
Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict, March 16, 2021, p. 12.
Joint Force Commanders. MDTFs also provide supported
Notes: HIMARS: High-Mobility Artil ery Rocket System presently in
commanders the ability to plan, integrate, control, track,
use by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. While not explicitly stated,
and assess the effectiveness of joint counter-A2/AD
the first Military Intel igence (MI) Company depicted is assumed to be
activities.
terrestrial y focused, while the second Military Intelligence Company,
based on its military symbol, is assumed to be space-focused.
The Army intends for each MDTF to have an All-Domain
Operations Center (ADOC) to enable 24/7 monitoring of
adversary activities in all domains.
What Is the Purpose of MDTFs?
The first MDTF was created in 2017 as an experimental
unit at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington and
participated in a variety of experiments and exercises to
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The Army notes each MDTF will be tailored to Combatant
A Third MDTF for the Indo-Pacific?
Commander requirements, so it is possible that the notional
According to a March 15, 2023, Defense News article,
MDTF in Figure 1 may contain more, fewer, or other types
“U.S. Army Chief Wants Three Multidomain Task Force
of units depending on the requirements of its assigned
Units in the Pacific,” the Chief of Staff of the Army
theater of operations. In addition, the Mid-Range
reportedly would “like to see three multidomain task force
Capabilities (MRC) Battery and the Long-Range
units in the Pacific region.” He further noted:
Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) Battery depicted in Figure 1
are not, at present, fully established and equipped units. The
I can see three in the Pacific and then one other one.
Army currently plans to field its first MRC and LRHW
We have one in Europe and then one probably in a
units in FY2023.
contingency-type place where it can go wherever it
needs. So, I think that’s how those five are going to
Army Plans for MDTFs
play out.
The Army originally planned to build five MDTFs: two
aligned to the Indo-Pacific region; one aligned to Europe;
If three MDTFs are allocated to the Indo-Pacific and the
one stationed in the Arctic region and oriented on multiple
remaining MDTF is earmarked for contingencies, this
threats; and a fifth MDTF aligned for global response. The
suggests an Arctic-focused MDTF might not be created.
1st MDTF is headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord,
The article further notes:
Washington, and aligned to the U.S. Army Pacific.
In recent years, the Army has placed less emphasis
Army Announces 2nd MDTF Stationing in Europe
on a permanent MDTF in Alaska, after directly
On April 13, 2021, the Army announced it would station its
stating it wanted to do so in its strategy for the
second MDTF in Germany. The Germany-based MDTF is
Arctic published in 2021.
to support U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Germany-
based MDTF is to be composed of field artillery units;
Potential Issues for Congress
composite air and missile defense units; intelligence,
Potential issues for Congress include but are not limited to
cyberspace, electronic warfare, and space units; and
the following.
aviation and brigade support elements. Soldiers assigned to
the Germany-based MDTF and their accompanying family
Will the Army request additional end strength to create
members are to be part of U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden.
MDTFs? If not, how will the Army acquire the soldiers
On September 16, 2021, the Army activated the 2nd MDTF
needed for these new units? Will the other Services have
at Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, initially consisting of a
personnel assigned to MDTFs?
headquarters element; an intelligence, cyberspace,
electronic warfare, and space detachment; and a brigade
According to the Army, the 2nd MDTF is to support U.S.
support company.
Army Europe and Africa. While much has been said
regarding the 2nd MDTF’s role in countering Russia,
3rd MDTF
what, if any, type of role does the Army envision for the
The Army activated the 3rd MDTF at Schofield Barracks,
2nd MDTF in relation to operations in Africa?
Hawaii, in September 2022. The 3rd MDTF is to support the
U.S. Army Pacific as a component of U.S. Indo-Pacific
If the Army does opt to designate its fourth MDTF as an
Command (USINDOPACOM). The initial tranche of 383
U.S. Army Pacific asset and the fifth MDTF as a global
soldiers for the 3rd MDTF began arriving in Hawaii in the
contingency MDTF, does the Army plan to establish a
summer of 2022. Reportedly, the commander of U.S. Army
sixth MDTF aligned to the Arctic region or has the
Pacific stated in March 2023 that the 3rd MDTF would be
Army decided not to field an Arctic-focused MDTF?
fully operational by May 2023. It is not known if all of the
3rd MDTF’s subordinate units will be stationed in Hawaii or
Are there any political considerations/impediments
perhaps somewhere else in the USINDOPACOM region.
affecting MDTF stationing—including MDTFs
currently activated and those awaiting activation? What,
MDTF Participation in Indo-Pacific Exercises
if any, are the associated military construction
Reportedly, from May 2022 through October 2022, the 1st
(MILCON) requirements for all five MDTFs?
MDTF deployed 16 cells across 10 time zones to support
exercises. During the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022
As a theater and Combatant Command asset, how will
exercise, the 1st MDTF simulated using space assets to shut
the MDTF operate in support of the Joint Force?
down satellites, used electronic warfare (EW) to jam enemy
communications, and simulated launching a long-range
Assuming that future operations could also involve
strike against an enemy ship. In 2023, the Army reportedly
allies, how does the MDTF support allies and coalition
plans for the 1st and 3rd MDTF to participate in more than
partners?
15 exercises in eight different countries, as well as adding
more than 1,400 soldiers from 39 different branches to the
1st and 3rd MDTFs.
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
IF11797
https://crsreports.congress.gov
The Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF11797 · VERSION 6 · UPDATED