Lodgment: A Thing of the Past
Abstract
A Joint Force Commander requires a plan that ensures that every component of the Joint and/or Combined Task Force can make it to the fight and be sustained while engaged with the enemy. The Naval Service operational concepts, beginning with Operational Maneuver From the Sea, rely far too heavily on maritime maneuver and in so doing, overlook a traditional requirement of forcible entry operations, that is, to provide secure lodgment for throughput of follow on forces and materiel. While small MAGTFs tasked with limited missions may well benefit from seabasing, Joint Task Forces and larger MAGTFs that rely on the introduction of a Fly in Echelon and prepositioned equipment and supplies must have access to shore based lodgment areas. The limitations of seabasing become immediately apparent to the commander concerned with force projection of CONUS based forces and sustainment of the JTF at the operational level of war. Mobile Offshore Bases, envisioned by some as a tactical platform used to extend the reach of naval aviation and by others as a floating steel island providing all of the functions of a lodgment area, are insufficient to the United States' political or military needs in lengthy or large scale engagements involving US forces, coalition forces, US government agencies and NGO/PVOs. Lodgment areas with expeditionary airfields, port facilities and beaches capable of supporting JLOTS operations will continue to meet best the needs of a JFC in the littoral region for missions ranging from Operations Other Than War to Sustained Operations Ashore.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 18, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA351715
Entities
People
- Tracy L. Mork
Organizations
- Naval War College