Maritime Security Dialogue: Force Design 2030 and Marine Corps Modernization Efforts

Please join the CSIS International Security Program and the U.S. Naval Institute for a Maritime Security Dialogue event on Wednesday, May 4 at 1:00 pm ET featuring Lieutenant General Karsten Heckl, Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, and the Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration. Lieutenant General Heckl will discuss the status of Force Design 2030 and modernization efforts within the Marine Corps with Dr. Seth G. Jones, CSIS Senior Vice President and Director of the International Security Program, with introductory remarks from VADM Peter H. Daly, USN (Ret.), CEO and Publisher, United States Naval Institute.

The Maritime Security Dialogue series brings together CSIS and the U.S. Naval Institute, two of the nation's most respected non-partisan institutions. The series highlights the particular challenges facing the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, from national level maritime policy to naval concept development and program design. Given budgetary challenges, technological opportunities, and ongoing strategic adjustments, the nature and employment of U.S. maritime forces are likely to undergo significant change over the next ten to fifteen years. The Maritime Security Dialogue provides an unmatched forum for discussion of these issues with the nation’s maritime leaders.

Lieutenant General Karsten Heckl graduated from Georgia State University and was commissioned in April 1988. He is a distinguished graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School (AWS) and the Naval War College. Lieutenant General Heckl was designated an unrestricted Naval Aviator in September 1990. He commanded Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162, which included a combat tour in Iraq in 2008 and Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) in 2010. From June 2018 to July 2020 he served as the Commanding General, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, and subsequently assumed command of I Marine Expeditionary Force through September 2021. As a CH-46E pilot, Lieutenant General Heckl deployed with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 365 and HMM-263, and served as a CH-46E Instructor and Division Head at MAWTS-1, MCAS Yuma, AZ. Staff assignments include CH-46E and MV-22 Requirements Officer, Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) Aviation Department, Washington DC; J3 Director of Operations, United States Forces- Afghanistan (USFOR-A), Kabul, Afghanistan; Senior Military Assistant and Marine Aide to the Secretary of the Navy; Assistant Deputy Commandant for Aviation, HQMC Aviation Department, Washington DC; Chief of Staff, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO), Lisbon, Portugal.

This event is made possible by support from HII.

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