1. Themes and Types of Amphibious Operations
Amphibious Warfare
Naval Science 312

2. What is an Amphibious Operation?
“An amphibious operation is a military operation launched from the sea by an amphibious force, embarked in ships or craft with the primary purpose of introducing a landing force (LF) ashore to accomplish the assigned mission.” Joint Publication 3-02

3. Strengths and Capabilities of Amphibious Warfare
Strategic mobility and flexibility
Strike at a point of choosing
Projection of power ashore
Forcible entry

4. Limitations of Amphibious Warfare
Initially vulnerable
Natural Hazards
Environmental Conditions
Sea
Terrain
Climate
Complexity

5. Themes of Amphibious Operations

6. Problems of the Tadpole
Limited and temporary ability for:
a naval force to project influence over land.
a ground force to project influence over the sea.
Transformation
Vulnerable time for the landing force
Reduce vulnerability with a rapid build up of combat power ashore.

7. The landing itself is rarely the key problem
Most attackers have succeeded getting ashore.
Defenders are rarely able to cover an entire shoreline
Objective of amphibious planners to choose a landing site of minimal resistance.

8. The problems of command
Amphibious Operations incorporate:
Naval Warfare, with
Land Warfare
The complexity of each type of warfare today necessitates a separate commander for each.
Commander Amphibious Task Force (CATF)
Commander Landing Force (CLF)

9. The amphibious invasion is a means to an end, not an end to itself
The landing is a prerequisite for accomplishing a subsequent ground mission.
The ground mission should drive the amphibious planning (not vice versa).
Historical examples of planners becoming so concerned with getting ashore, that they give little or no thought to what to do when they got there.
Roanoke Island in 1862 and Fort Fisher in 1864

10. The influence of terrain and geography
Only certain portions of the world’s coastlines are assailable by amphibious forces.
Dictates if and where a landing can be made
Influences the attacker’s & defender’s plans
Has spurred the development of some specialized amphibious equipment

11. The amphibious operation as a form of envelopment
Maneuver
Turning the enemy’s flank by sea to gain an advantageous position.
Flexibility
“Amphibious flexibility is the greatest strategic asset that a sea power possesses.”
-B.H. Liddell, Marines and Strategy, p. 31
Strategic Envelopment (i.e. Gallipoli)
Operational Envelopment (i.e. Inchon)

12. The inherent chaotic and decentralized nature of landings
Amphibious Operations by nature:
Have many moving parts
Have inherent friction
Are a small unit action
Direct control limited to each landing craft
Small unit leadership and initiative are imperative to success.
Higher level commanders can’t assume control of the land fight until landing forces begin to organize ashore.

13. The development of amphibious technology and techniques
Amphibious operations are specialized and complex.
Requires specialized amphibious:
Equipment
Vehicles, landing craft, defensive obstacles
Tactics and Techniques
Naval Gun Fire Support

14. Themes of Amphibious Operations
Problems of the Tadpole
The landing itself is rarely the key problem
The problems of command
The amphibious invasion is a means to an end, not an end to itself
The influence of terrain and geography
The amphibious operation as a form of envelopment
The inherent chaotic and decentralized nature of landings
The development of amphibious technology and techniques

15. Five Types of Amphibious Operations
Amphibious Assault
Amphibious Demonstration
Amphibious Withdrawal
Amphibious Raid
Other Amphibious Operations
DRAWO == DRAWD

16. Amphibious Assault
“…an attack launched from the sea by naval and landing forces embarked in ships or craft involving a landing on a hostile shore” Joint Publication 1-02
Purpose
Prosecute further combat operations
Obtain a site for an advance naval or air base
Deny the use of an area or facility to the enemy.
Fix enemy forces or attention.
May be an opposed or unopposed landing

17. Amphibious Demonstration
Deceive the enemy with a show of force
A form of deception
Cause the enemy to react or commit forces without actually landing
Example: 4th MEB in Desert Storm

18. Amphibious Withdrawal
Withdraw forces from a hostile shore for tactical or operational reasons.
May be an opposed or unopposed withdrawal.
Example: Inchon

19. Amphibious Raid An amphibious assault with a planned withdrawal
Typically short in duration with the intent on inflicting damage, securing information/intelligence, creating a diversion, or capturing/rescuing individuals or materials.
Example: MEU(SOC)

20. Other Amphibious Operations
Using the capabilities of an amphibious force for military operations other than war (MOOTW)
Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO)
Foreign Humanitarian Assistance (FHA)

21. PHASES of an Amphibious Operation
Planning
Embarkation
Rehearsals
Movement
Action
PERMA

22. QUESTIONS? Know phases, types and themes.
Think about in terms and application of MCDP1.