Marine Leads Navy Program Office

PENTAGON, ARLINGTON, VA --

The U.S. Navy's Program Executive Office Ships hosted an establishment ceremony for the Medium Landing Ship (LSM) Program Office at the Humphrey's Building on Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., Oct. 24, 2024.

The LSM Program Office, now led by U.S. Marine Corps Col. Raymond Feltham, is responsible for leading the design, development, acquisition and test of the LSM.

LSMs are instrumental in supporting the Force Design concept of Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations. LSMs will embark, transport, land and subsequently re-embark small Marine Corps units and have the capability to sustain those units with direct logistical support.

"Filling the gap in capability between the Navy's large, multi-purpose warships and smaller complementary landing vessels, the LSM enables the ability to perform distributed maneuver and logistics to facilitate distributed maritime operations and support the newly established Marine Littoral Regiments" Col. Raymond Feltham, LSM Program Manager

Feltham's position as program director is unique in that a Marine will lead a Navy program office.

"I cannot think of a finer individual to take the lead", said Brig. Gen. Robert Brodie, Director of Expeditionary Warfare, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. "I'm proud that it happens to be a United States Marine, and I'll tell you he is the right man to deliver this critical capability, and I have no doubt your future is going to be successful."

The LSM Program will require the integration of capabilities provided by multiple organizations to include partner Program Executive Offices and stakeholders across the Navy and Marine Corps.

"The combination of the [Marine Littoral Regiment] and the LSM will provide an essential capability for rapid mobilization and take action in the littorals to critically influence or potentially seize maritime terrain," Brig. Gen. Brodie said.

Feltham understands the importance of the LSM program, highlighting the necessity for medium landing ships in past campaigns.

"We couldn't have handled the Indo-Pacific in World War II without a Medium Landing Ship," said Feltham. "It's intuitive that we are going to need a shore-to-shore connector in order to support our Marines and Sailors should there be a fight."

The LSM Program continues work already started by the Light Amphibious Warship program to relentlessly pursue the development of a world class ship that meets Marine Corps needs well into the future.

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