Download - Royal Australian Navy

Supporting Power Projection from the Sea:
What Sea Basing Means to Australia
Commander David E Mazur, CF
Seabasing provides … a secure, joint capable, agile, and scalable power
projection platform free from the restrictions normally associated
with traditional land based installations … a seabase will enable rapid
deployment, assembly of combat forces, command and control, precise
power projection, reconstitution and redeployment of joint combat
power from the sea.
Colonel Armon A Cioppa, US Army 1
Although the term ‘sea basing’ may be somewhat new in today’s military vernacular,
the general concept is far from original. Moving military forces and their supporting
elements across the sea was done during the ancient battle of Carthage all the way
through to present day military operations. However, the sea was generally used only
as a means of transporting personnel, equipment and supplies to a foreign shore to be
landed and reassembled prior to conducting an operation. The modern concept of sea
basing is significantly different from this as it bypasses the need to land and build-up
personnel, equipment and supplies on land. Sea basing allows a land operation to be
launched, commanded and supported directly from the sea.
In this essay, I will be looking at the concept of sea basing to determine if it is truly a
power projection platform or just a pipe dream for Australia. As the United States (US)
conceived the concept, I will first explain sea basing from their perspective. From there
I will look at the importance of the littoral environment where sea basing is conducted,
and then review Australian policy and doctrine to see if sea basing supports current
doctrine. I will then review the pros and cons of sea basing and look at how Australia
is, or might modify the American concept. Finally, I will make recommendations
regarding the way ahead for Australia prior to concluding. As my focus is sea basing,
it is not my intent to define or discuss expeditionary or amphibious operations in detail
beyond demonstrating how sea basing may or may not support them. Neither will I
attempt to explain the doctrine that drives these operations, although I will introduce
some concepts and doctrine that may be impacted by sea basing.
The History behind Sea Basing
The modern concept of sea basing stems from US Navy and US Marine Corps doctrinal
reviews brought about by the end of the Cold War. The US Marine Corps developed doctrine
that culminated in Operational Manoeuvre from the Sea (OMFTS). This doctrine treats the