Anti-terrorism planning shapes experiments: Marine Corps Warfighting Lab sharpens focus on covert urban reconnaissance.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.

In anticipation of the possible expansion of the U.S. war against al-Qaeda or other suspected terrorist groups, the Marine Corps has launched several projects aimed at preparing for combat in areas such as the Philippines or Somalia.

To win urban battles in places like Mogadishu, Marines are crafting tactics that would allow them to conduct covert reconnaissance missions. This effort, called Project Metropolis, has been underway for more than six months. The goal is for Marines to become proficient at "urban reconnaissance," said Brig. Gen. William D. Catto, commander of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory.

The first phase of Project Metropolis focused on basic urban skills training. Next came urban reconnaissance.

This project is not about high-tech gear or weaponry, Catto explained in a recent interview. It's about how a Marine could sneak into downtown Mogadishu and blend in with the local population, while collecting intelligence, undetected. As the program evolves, Catto said, "We are trying to figure out tactics, techniques and procedures."

To kick off Project Metropolis, the Corps conducted an experiment in Little Rock, Ark., last month. There are drills planned for April, in Chicago and November, in Boise, Idaho.

The February experiment in Little Rock included 300 personnel from the Corps' 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Anti-Terrorism), a ream from the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion and Marines from 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines. This event was designed more as a domestic-security exercise than as a war-fighting drill for operations overseas.

Marine Corps spokeswoman Jenny Holbert said that the experiment in Little Rock aimed to "examine tactics, techniques, procedures and technologies in urban security operations and urban ground reconnaissance." A tabletop war-game involved leaders from North Little Rock and the 4th MEB (AT). Marines conducted mock vehicle searches, security patrols, casualty evacuation, convoy re-supply and building searches at pre-selected sites.

The Special Operations Command is considering participating in Project Metropolis, even though it already is pursuing a separate program in urban reconnaissance, Catto said. "They are talking about teaming with us."

To be sure, urban training is not new at the Marine Corps, especially since the mid-1990s, under then-Commandant Charles Krulak, who advocated the need to train Marines for urban combat. But even though the Corps has an extensive training program for MOUT...