Seabasing: A Strategy for the 21st Century?
Abstract
The United States has traditionally maintained a persistent forward presence through the application of sea power and the forward basing of significant forces in overseas locations such as Korea, Japan and Europe. The current world environment challenges the efficacy and prudence of this practice going forward. Current seabasing concepts provide the flexibility to maintain a persistent forward presence in a changing world-operating environment while negating certain anti-access challenges and many of the disadvantages associated with land basing concepts. Seabasing is much more than a simple military capability; at its essence, it is a basing strategy. As such, this paper analyzes this strategy in the context of the current operating environment and national strategies by more clearly defining seabasing and associated operational concepts, as well as discusses some of the key diplomatic and economic considerations associated with employment of this strategy. Moreover, this paper seeks to make recommendations on the most effective employment of this concept and determines its strategic relevance for the 21st century.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 26, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA500880
Entities
People
- Christopher T. Mayette
Organizations
- United States Army War College