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Updated August 22, 2023
The Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
The Significance of the Multi-Domain
units to be included as part of the MDTF force design.
Task Force (MDTF)
According to the Army, the MDTF’s purpose is
Congress has expressed concern about the threat to U.S.
national security posed by Russia and China. The Army
• during competition, to “gain and maintain contact with
believes that in order to address this threat, it must be able
our adversaries to support the rapid transition to crisis or
to operate in a multi-domain (air, land, water, space, cyber,
conflict”;
information) environment, requiring new operational
concepts, technologies, weapons, and units. The Multi-
• during a crisis, to “deter adversaries and shape the
Domain Task Force (MDTF) is the Army’s self-described
environment by providing flexible response options to
“organizational centerpiece” of this effort.
the combatant commander”; and
What Is a Multi-Domain Task Force?
• if conflict arises, to “neutralize adversary A2/AD
In the Army’s Chief of Staff Paper #1: Army Multi-Domain
networks to enable joint freedom of action.”
Transformation Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict
dated March 16, 2021 the Army describes the Multi-
MDTF Organization
Domain Task Force (MDTF) as “theater-level maneuver
The diagram at Figure 1 depicts a notional generic MDTF:
elements designed to synchronize precision effects and
precision fires in all domains against adversary anti-access/
Figure 1. Notional Generic MDTF
area denial (A2/AD) networks in all domains, enabling joint
forces to execute their operational plan (OPLAN)-directed
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.
Source: Chief of Staff Paper #1 Army Multi-Domain Transformation
MDTFs are designed to support freedom of action of U.S.
Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict, March 16, 2021, p. 12.
forces. MDTFs are to be scalable from operational to
Notes: 1) HIMARS: High-Mobility Artil ery Rocket System presently
strategic level and can be modified to support the needs of
in use by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. 2) While not explicitly
individual Joint Force Commanders. MDTFs also provide
stated, the first Military Intelligence (MI) Company depicted is
supported commanders the ability to plan, integrate,
assumed to be terrestrial y focused, while the second Military
control, track, and assess the effectiveness of joint counter-
Intel igence Company, based on its military symbol, is assumed to be
A2/AD activities. The Army intends for each MDTF to
space-focused. 3) Mid-Range Capabilities (MRC) Battery is now
have an All-Domain Operations Center (ADOC) to enable
known as the Strategic Mid-Range Fires (SMRF) Battery.
24/7 monitoring of adversary activities in all domains.
What Is the Purpose of MDTFs?
The 1st 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 both test its
capabilities and develop requirements for equipment and
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link to page 1 link to page 1 The Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
The Army notes each MDTF will be tailored to Combatant
15 exercises in eight different countries, as well as adding
Commander requirements, so it is possible the notional
more than 1,400 soldiers from 39 different branches to the
MDTF in Figure 1 may contain more, fewer, or other types
1st and 3rd MDTFs.
of units depending on the requirements of its assigned
theater of operations. The Strategic Mid-Range Fires
A Third MDTF for the Indo-Pacific?
(SMRF) Battery (formerly known as the Mid-Range
According to a March 15, 2023, Defense News article,
Capabilities (MRC) Battery) and the Long-Range
“U.S. Army Chief Wants Three Multidomain Task Force
Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) Battery depicted in Figure 1
Units in the Pacific,” the Chief of Staff of the Army
are not, at present, fully established and equipped units. The
reportedly would “like to see three multidomain task force
Army currently plans to field its first SMRF and LRHW
units in the Pacific region.” He further noted:
units by the end of FY2023.
I can see three in the Pacific and then one other one.
Army Plans for MDTFs
We have one in Europe and then one probably in a
The Army originally planned to build five MDTFs: two
contingency-type place where it can go wherever it
aligned to the Indo-Pacific region; one aligned to Europe;
needs. So, I think that’s how those five [MDTFs}
one stationed in the Arctic region and oriented on multiple
are going to play out.
threats; and a fifth MDTF aligned for global response. The
1st MDTF is headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord,
In June 2023, Japanese press reported the United States had
Washington, and aligned to the U.S. Army Pacific.
started discussions with Japan about hosting a third MDTF
(presumably the 4th MDTF) in Japan.
1st MDTF
Since its 2017 activation, the 1st MDTF has participated in a
If three MDTFs are allocated to the Indo-Pacific and the
variety of exercises. In February 2023, the 1st MDTF’s
remaining MDTF (presumably 5th MDTF) is earmarked for
long-range fires battalion, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery
global response, this suggests an Arctic-focused MDTF
Regiment, deployed a LRHW system over 3,100 miles from
might not be created. The Defense News article further
Joint Base Lewis-McChord to Cape Canaveral, Florida
notes:
during Thunderbolt Strike, a full rehearsal of expeditionary
hypersonic launch capabilities.
In recent years, the Army has placed less emphasis
on a permanent MDTF in Alaska, after directly
2nd MDTF
stating it wanted to do so in its strategy for the
On April 13, 2021, the Army announced it would station its
Arctic published in 2021.
second MDTF in Germany. The Germany-based MDTF is
to support U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Germany-
Possible Oversight Issues for Congress
based MDTF is to be composed of field artillery units;
Possible oversight issues for Congress include but are not
composite air and missile defense units; intelligence,
limited to the following.
cyberspace, electronic warfare, and space units; and
aviation and brigade support elements. Soldiers assigned to
• According to the Army, the 2nd MDTF is to support U.S.
the Germany-based MDTF and their accompanying family
Army Europe and Africa. While much has been said
members are to be part of U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden.
regarding the 2nd MDTF’s role in Europe countering
On September 16, 2021, the Army activated the 2nd MDTF
Russia, what, if any, type of role does the Army
at Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, initially consisting of a
envision for the 2nd MDTF in relation to operations in
headquarters element; an intelligence, cyberspace,
Africa?
electronic warfare, and space detachment; and a brigade
support company.
• If the Army does opt to designate the 4th MDTF as an
U.S. Army Pacific asset and the 5th MDTF as a global
3rd MDTF
response MDTF, does the Army plan to establish a sixth
The Army activated the 3rd MDTF at Schofield Barracks,
MDTF aligned to the Arctic region or has the Army
Hawaii, in September 2022. The 3rd MDTF is to support the
decided not to field an Arctic-focused MDTF?
U.S. Army Pacific as a component of U.S. Indo-Pacific
Command (USINDOPACOM). The 3rd MDTF participated
• As a theater and Combatant Command asset, how will
in its first exercise May 4-19, 2023, as part of exercise
the MDTF operate in support of the Joint Force?
Northern Edge 23-1.
• Assuming that future operations could also involve
MDTF Participation in Indo-Pacific Exercises
allies, how does the MDTF support allies and coalition
Reportedly, from May 2022 through October 2022, the 1st
partners?
MDTF deployed 16 cells across 10 time zones to support
exercises. During the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022
exercise, the 1st MDTF simulated using space assets to shut
down satellites, used electronic warfare (EW) to jam enemy
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
communications, and simulated launching a long-range
strike against an enemy ship. In 2023, the Army reportedly
IF11797
plans for the 1st and 3rd MDTF to participate in more than
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The Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF11797 · VERSION 7 · UPDATED