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1 [1] (May 18, 2026)

handle is hein.crs/goveuba0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service Informing the legis ative debate since 1914 The Army's Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) Updated May 18, 2026 The Sgn- cance of the Mult[-Domain Task Force MDTF) Congress has expressed concern about the threat to U.S. national security posed by Russia and China. The Army believes to address this threat, it must be able to operate in a multi-domain (air, land, water, space, cyber, information) environment, requiring new operational concepts, technologies, weapons, and units. The Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) is the Army's self-described organization centerpiece of this effort. What Is a Multi-Domain Task Force? The Army's Chief of Staff Paper #1: Army Multi-Domain Transformation Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict dated March 16, 2021, describes the MDTF as theater- level maneuver elements designed to synchronize precision effects and precision fires in all domains against adversary anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) networks in all domains, enabling joint forces to execute their operational plan (OPLAN)-directed roles. MDTF Organization Figure 1 depicts a generic MDTF. Figure I. Generic MDTF S MDTF 41 E-1 cOE L AF ~1 8SB $FPC LRHw FPC o sFno MC MAINT M A NT MA FSC Source: Army Information Paper provided to CRS, April 10, 2025. Notes: MDEB = Multi-Domain Effects Battalion; HHC = Headquarters and Headquarters Company; MI = Military Intelligence; ERSE = Extended Range Sensing Element; ID = Information Dominance; LRFB = Long-Range Fires Battalion; HHB = Headquarters and Headquarters Battery; LRHW = Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon; MRC =Mid-Range Capability (also referred to as Strategic Mid-Range Fires [SMRF]); HIMARS = High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems; FSC = Forward Sustainment Company; IFPC = Integrated Fire Protection Capability; BSB = Brigade Support Battalion. The Army has stated that each MDTF is to be tailored to Combatant Commander requirements, so it is possible the generic MDTF in Figure 1 may contain more, fewer, or other types of units depending on the requirements of its assigned theater of operations. Army nt'a Pans for MDTF DevelOpmrent The Army originally planned to build five MDTFs: two aligned to the Indo-Pacific region; one aligned to Europe; one stationed in the Arctic region and oriented on multiple threats; and a fifth MDTF aligned for global response. I MDTF The 1t MDTF is headquartered at Joint Base Lewis- McChord, WA, and aligned to the U.S. Army Pacific. Since its 2017 activation, it has participated in a variety of exercises. 2nd MDTF On April 13, 2021, the Army announced it would station its 2nd MDTF in Germany. The Germany-based MDTF is to support U.S. Army Europe and Africa. On September 16, 2021, the Army activated the 2nd MDTF at Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden. Split Stationing of the 2nd MDTF at Fort Drum, NY On December 13, 2023, Senator Charles Schumer and Representative Elise Stefanik announced in 2025 Fort Drum, NY, would become the home of 1,495 soldiers and personnel from the 2nd MDTF's Long-Range Fires Battalion (LRFB), Brigade Support Battalion (BSB), and Air Defense Battalion. The 2nd MDTF's Headquarters and Effects Battalions, activated in 2021, would remain in Germany. 3rd~ MDTF The Army activated the 3rd MDTF at Schofield Barracks, HI, in September 2022. The 3rd MDTF is to support the U.S. Army Pacific as a component of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). 2024 Army Force Structure Transformation Initiative and MDTFs On February 27, 2024, the Army released a white paper, Army Force Structure Transformation, outlining plans to transform the force. The white paper noted the Army intended to complete the build out of the Army's five MDTFSs and that Three task forces will be assigned to U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC); one will be assigned to U.S. Army Europe-Africa (USAREUR-AF); and another will be service-retained with a likely focus on the CENTCOM area of responsibility [AOR]. One MDTF headquarters is already in Germany and another is stationed in Hawaii.