1. Seabasing…Enabling Operational Maneuver from the Sea
James N. Strock
Deputy Director
Expeditionary Force Development Center
Marine Corps Combat Development Command
USMC Seabasing Initiatives
18 May 2004

2. Seabasing…The Requirements
Maneuverable, distributed, networked platforms
At-sea arrival, assembly and transfer of materiel and personnel;
Selective Off-load
The mobility of the sea base extends our range of potential landing areas, creating an unprecedented dilemma for our adversaries in preparing his defenses. The distributed and networked nature of the platforms expands the breadth and depth of the sea base and enhances the capabilities of the sea shield.
Selective offload seeks to incorporate warehousing technologies into future ships. This concept also includes the idea of focused packaging at the first step of the distribution process minimizing the need for subsequent handling and repackaging at various stops on the way to the sea base.
At-sea arrival and transfer of heavy cargo in heavy sea states. Experimentation and work ongoing to develop new transfer technologies such as gyro stabilized cranes. Goal is to be able to transfer 20 foot equivalent (TEU) containers from ship to ship in high sea states. This includes transfer of containers between vessels of varying sizes and displacements.
Sea Basing greatly enhances our capability to integrate fires and maneuver that enables the transition from Operational Maneuver from the Sea to Ship to Objective Maneuver. Our increased connectivity and range provides a higher-level capability of combined arms.
On the Move (OTM), Over the Horizon (OTH) communications to enable rapid, distributed operations by land, air, and sea forces in a non-contiguous, expanded battle space. Science and technology solutions being studied and developed.
Logistical and Supply support from the sea base will rely on the uninterrupted flow of data on all classes of supply and maintenance from tactical units to and from the sea base back through the supply pipeline to CONUS. With virtually no supply dumps ashore, sea-based tactical forces will critically depend on the supply system’s reliability.
Over-the-horizon and on-the-move communications
Enable and sustain forcible entry and sustained operations ashore
Distributed and collaborative operational logistics planning and total asset visibility

3. Seabasing…The Initiatives
Future Ships and Sea Base Connectors IPT
Co-chaired by DC,CD and N75
Standing Naval IPT to address LHA(R), MPF(F), Connector requirements
Developing coordinated requirements timelines
Support strategies for program initiation
Evaluate alternatives and potential trade-offs
Seabasing Joint Integrating Concept
Joint coordination underway
Future Ships and Sea Base Connectors (FS&SBC) IPT:
Will serve as standing Naval IPT to address full range/depth of amphib, MPF(F) and connector requirements development
Co-Chaired by DC, CD and N75
Commenced Tuesday, May 11, and will continue on regular basis for foreseeable future
Developing copordinated requirements development timelines for LHA(R), MPF(F), connectors. Current timelines below.
FS&SBC IPT Charter: Charter is in draft form and will be introduced/discussed at initial IPT meeting. Some highlights:
Assist Co Chairs, in collaboration with senior naval leadership/staffs, in executing their responsibilities to develop future Naval Warfighting capabilities
Three Working Groups: LHA(R) Flight 0 and 1 Series, MPF(F), and High Speed Connectors (HSC).
End state is to produce a draft “Required Capabilities” letter for ASN (RDA) and the respective Naval Service Chief signatures.
IPT Characteristics/Principles: The IPT shall operate under the following broad principles:
Identifies scope of requirements as a team (DC,CD and N75 as Co-chairs)
Provides a needed systematic approach for requirements determination/documentation for weapons and systems programs executed outside Marine Corps' purview.

4. Questions?