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Updated December 26, 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 in order to address this threat, it must be able to
our adversaries to support the rapid transition to crisis or
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
Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict, March 16, 2021, p. 12.
Notes: (1) HIMARS: High-Mobility Artil ery Rocket System presently
MDTFs are designed to support freedom of action of U.S.
in use by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. (2) While not explicitly
forces. MDTFs are to be scalable from operational to
stated, the first Military Intelligence (MI) Company depicted is
strategic level and can be modified to support the needs of
assumed to be terrestrial y focused, while the second Military
individual Joint Force Commanders. MDTFs also provide
Intel igence Company, based on its military symbol, is assumed to be
supported commanders the ability to plan, integrate,
space-focused. (3) Mid-Range Capabilities (MRC) Battery is now
control, track, and assess the effectiveness of joint counter-
known as the Strategic Mid-Range Fires (SMRF) Battery.
A2/AD activities. 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 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
more than 1,400 soldiers from 39 different branches to the
Commander requirements, so it is possible the notional
1st and 3rd MDTFs.
MDTF in Figure 1 may contain more, fewer, or other types
of units depending on the requirements of its assigned
A 3rd MDTF for the Indo-Pacific?
theater of operations. The Strategic Mid-Range Fires
According to a Defense News article the Chief of Staff of
(SMRF) Battery (formerly known as the Mid-Range
the Army reportedly would “like to see three multidomain
Capabilities (MRC) Battery) and the Long-Range
task force 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.
I can see three in the Pacific and then one other one.
We have one in Europe and then one probably in a
Army Plans for MDTFs
contingency-type place where it can go wherever it
The Army originally planned to build five MDTFs: two
needs. So, I think that’s how those five [MDTFs]
aligned to the Indo-Pacific region; one aligned to Europe;
are going to play out.
one stationed in the Arctic region and oriented on multiple
threats; and a fifth MDTF aligned for global response. The
In June 2023, Japanese press reported the United States had
1st MDTF is headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord,
started discussions with Japan about hosting a 3rd MDTF
WA, and aligned to the U.S. Army Pacific.
(presumably the 4th MDTF) in Japan.
1st MDTF
If three MDTFs are allocated to the Indo-Pacific and the
Since its 2017 activation, the 1st MDTF has participated in a
remaining MDTF (presumably 5th MDTF) is earmarked for
variety of exercises. In February 2023, the 1st MDTF’s
global response, this suggests an Arctic-focused MDTF
long-range fires battalion, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery
might not be created. The Defense News article further
Regiment, deployed a LRHW system over 3,100 miles from
notes
Joint Base Lewis-McChord to Cape Canaveral, FL, during
Thunderbolt Strike, a full rehearsal of expeditionary
In recent years, the Army has placed less emphasis
hypersonic launch capabilities.
on a permanent MDTF in Alaska, after directly
stating it wanted to do so in its strategy for the
2nd MDTF
Arctic published in 2021.
On April 13, 2021, the Army announced it would station its
2nd MDTF in Germany. The Germany-based MDTF is to
Split Stationing of the 2nd MDTF at Fort Drum, NY
support U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Germany-based
On December 13, 2023, Senator Charles Schumer and
MDTF is to be composed of field artillery units; composite
Representative Elise Stefanik announced in 2025 Fort
air and missile defense units; intelligence, cyberspace,
Drum would become the home of 1,495 soldiers and
electronic warfare, and space units; and aviation and
personnel from the 2nd MDTF’s Long-Range Fires
brigade support elements. Soldiers assigned to the
Battalion, Brigade Support Battalion, and Air Defense
Germany-based MDTF and their accompanying family
Battalion. The 2nd MDTF’s Headquarters and Effects
members are to be part of U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden.
Battalions, activated in 2021, would remain in Germany.
On September 16, 2021, the Army activated the 2nd MDTF
at Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, initially consisting of a
Possible Oversight Issues for Congress
headquarters element; an intelligence, cyberspace,
Possible oversight issues for Congress include but are not
electronic warfare, and space detachment; and a brigade
limited to
support company.
• According to the Army, the 2nd MDTF is to support U.S.
3rd MDTF
Army Europe and Africa. While much has been said
The Army activated the 3rd MDTF at Schofield Barracks,
about the 2nd MDTF’s role in Europe, what role does the
Hawaii, in September 2022. The 3rd MDTF is to support the
Army envision for the 2nd MDTF in relation to
U.S. Army Pacific as a component of U.S. Indo-Pacific
operations in Africa?
Command (USINDOPACOM). The 3rd MDTF participated
in its first exercise May 4-19, 2023, as part of exercise
• If the Army does opt to designate the 4th MDTF as an
Northern Edge 23-1.
U.S. Army Pacific asset and the 5th MDTF as a global
response MDTF, does the Army plan to establish a sixth
MDTF Participation in Indo-Pacific Exercises
MDTF aligned to the Arctic region or has the Army
Reportedly, from May 2022 through October 2022, the 1st
decided not to field an Arctic-focused MDTF?
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
strike against an enemy ship. In 2023, the Army reportedly
plans for the 1st and 3rd MDTF to participate in more than
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
15 exercises in eight different countries, as well as adding
IF11797
https://crsreports.congress.gov
The Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
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