Getting Past Guadalcanal: The Joint Force Commander's Guidelines for the Control of Amphibious Forces
Abstract
The introduction of an amphibious task force into a Joint Operations Area will require the Joint Force Commander to decide how best to use the force and the proper command relations between the commanders of the amphibious task force (CATF) and landing force (CLF), and other key commanders in the Joint Task Force. Amphibious operations are fundamentally naval in nature and operate under unified command. These attributes give amphibious operations unique advantages over land defenses that must not be diluted by inadvertent or arbitrary decisions on command relations. "Support Command", as an alternative to "OPCON Command" is a viable command relationship between CATF and CLF as demonstrated by historical case study. Air support can be provided by commanders not under the direct command of CATF or CLF if clear and unambiguous direction is provided in an initiating directive or operations order. Fleet command and component command models are presented as methods of structuring a naval amphibious force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 19, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA381666
Entities
People
- Donald S. Inbody
Organizations
- Naval War College