230509-Tentative-Manual-For-Expeditionary-Advanced-Base-Operations-2nd-Edition

Introduction

The Tentative Manual for Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (TM EABO) is a crucial document developed to refine and codify the Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) Concept, endorsed in March 2019 by key leaders of the Marine Corps and the Navy. This second edition, released in May 2023, reflects lessons learned from various military operations, including war games and experiments.

Overview and Purpose

The manual serves three main purposes:

1. Educate the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) on EABO missions and the forces conducting them.

2. Facilitate experimentation to test and refine the capabilities and structure of naval forces conducting EABO.

3. Inform future force development, driving actionable strategies for effective execution and doctrinal expansion.

Scope

TM EABO outlines the fundamental characteristics of EABO, emphasizing planning considerations and organizing forces within combat scenarios. It is intended as a reference rather than a comprehensive read, with recommendations for readers to focus first on Chapters 1, 2, and 7, followed by specific interested areas in Chapters 3-6.

Key Changes in the 2023 Edition

Significant updates since the original publication in 2021 include:

• An enhanced focus on the impact of irregular adversaries and local populations within host nations.

• Importantly, chapters on aviation and logistics have been rewritten to reflect current operational realities, addressing how to support advanced naval capabilities that Marines may not be fully prepared for within their existing frameworks.

Next Steps and Implementation

The TM EABO aligns with Force Design 2030 and is expected to be a foundational tool for Marine Corps units engaging in live, virtual, and constructive force experimentation. The goal is to incorporate best practices into service doctrinal publications and ensure that integrated sea denial and operational capabilities are embedded in future planning and execution.

Dedication

This manual is dedicated to Colonel Arthur J. Corbett, USMC (Ret.), a proponent of expeditionary operations and innovative military strategies.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1: Introduction to EABO

• Operational Context: Discusses shifts in U.S. military assumptions regarding sea control and a review of adversary capabilities in the competitive landscape.

• Foundations of EABO: EABO provides operational advantages that compel adversaries to reconsider their strategies, allowing naval forces to project strength.

Chapter 2: Planning and Organization

• Covers flexible task organization, the importance of maintaining a tactical edge through smaller units, and planning frameworks that support decentralized execution. Command and execution are emphasized under various scenarios.

Chapter 3: Intelligence Operations

• Purpose and Scope: Emphasizes building battlespace awareness, supporting the operational environment through intelligence integration, and facilitating cooperative engagements with allied entities.

Chapter 4: Information Activities

• Discusses the importance of information warfare in achieving operational objectives, detailing how to manage and project military information advantages in conflict situations.

Chapter 5: Aviation Operations

• Details Marine Corps aviation’s role and functions within EABO, emphasizing the need for aviation units to adapt to distributed operations while maintaining interoperability across forces.

Chapter 6: Logistics Operations

• Outlines the logistical support framework necessary for sustaining advanced base operations, emphasizing resilience amidst changing environments and the need for sophisticated logistical coordination.

Chapter 7: Littoral Operations

• Provides tactical and operational constructs for planning EABO, including common phasing considerations and the plan of execution.

Appendices

• Appendix A details future force design considerations for Marine Littoral Regiments and other units, highlighting the evolving structure and mission imperative.

• Appendix B lists mission-essential tasks relevant to EABO, refining tasks for various Marine Corps units.

• Appendix C outlines experiment objectives for assessing operational concepts in relation to EABO.

• Appendix D provides comprehensive abbreviations used throughout the manual, facilitating easier reference.

Conclusion

This manual equips Marine Corps and allied forces with the principles and practices necessary to conduct Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations, ensuring a forward-thinking approach to modern naval warfare and operational readiness.