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adaptive campaigning with a maritime expeditionary force
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expeditionary operations within our region rather than employing Australian infantry.
History has demonstrated that specialist marines are an absolute necessity during all
maritime expeditionary operations when operating in the difficult littoral environment
encountered. 38 The Australian Army has employed brigade sized marine forces in the
past, and surely the Army will need to do so in future.
Some readers may be thinking, but what would Australian Marines do? The following
short list of those activities which may be undertaken by Australian Marines (or
sea-qualified soldiers) at sea or ashore in the littorals offers some suggestions.
This list is indicative only:
• command, control, communications, computers, intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR)
• logistics, medical and other support operations
• military ceremonial, diplomatic and engagement
• armed guard and general constabulary duties
• harbour and port protection
• boarding operations (maritime intercept by air or boat)
• force protection (helping to counter the asymmetric threat)
• riverine operations
• Special Forces operations
• counter-insurgency operations
• amphibious operations.
Australian Marines must rely upon manoeuvre to overcome opposition: they should
avoid opposed landings, establishing bases or airfields ashore, and attritional warfare.
Only continental forces should fight continental wars.
Some quite advanced expeditionary capabilities are either planned or currently under
development by the ADF, however the overall impression is that Australia’s ability to
conduct maritime expeditionary operations are about five or so years behind that of
our major allies. As such, we cannot be confident that the ADF will be able to integrate
fully with our coalition partners when, in future, an Australian maritime expeditionary
force is urgently required.