Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations - Historic Naval Ships ...

CHAPTER XIIMOVEMENT TO THE OPERATIONAL AREA“The seas are no longer a self contained battlefield. Today they are a mediumfrom which warfare is conducted. The oceans of the world are the base ofoperations from which navies project power onto land areas and targets.”Timothy SheaProject Poseidon, February 19611. GeneralThe movement phase commences upondeparture of ships from loading points in theembarkation areas, and concludes when shipsarrive at assigned stations in the operationalarea. During this phase, the amphibiousforce is organized into movement groups,which execute movement in accordancewith the movement plan on prescribedroutes (with alternate routes designated foremergency use). Movement of the force tothe operational area may be interrupted byrehearsals, stops at staging areas for logisticreasons, or pauses at rendezvous points.Execution of a postponement plan due toadverse weather or other unfavorablesituations may necessitate a revised movementplan.2. Echelons of the LandingForceThe echelons of the LF will include the AE,and may include the MPF, APF, AFOE, andfollow-up transport ships and aircraft asdescribed below.a. AE. The AE is that element of a forcecomprised of tailored units and aircraftassigned to conduct the initial assault on theoperational area. The AE is normallyembarked in amphibious assault ships. TheAE ships are combat loaded with troops,equipment, and supplies that typically provideat least 15 days of sustainment. Otherelements included in the AE are:• LF elements of the advance force thatdeploy with sufficient supplies toaccomplish their mission and sustainthemselves until subsequent forcesarrive; and• LF elements (including airborne and airassault forces) positioned at support basesand airfields, in and adjacent to theoperational area prior to the assault, thatprovide initial combat capability tosupport the operation.b. MPF and APF. MPF and APFoperations that augment the LF willnormally occur before the arrival of theAFOE. The MPF can provide a Marineexpeditionary brigade at a permissive locationin the AOR. These additional troops, supplies,and equipment can then be transported by ATFassets or other means to reinforce or augmentthe landing and support forces ashore.c. AFOE. The AFOE is that echelon ofthe assault troops, vehicles, aircraft,equipment, and supplies which, although notneeded to initiate the assault, are required tosupport and sustain the assault. The AFOEis normally required in the operational areano later than 5 days after commencementof the assault landing.• The AFOE is divided into airlifted andsealifted forces and supplies. Requiredarrival time in theater, suitability ofmaterial for air and sea lift, and liftavailability, in that order, will determinetransportation mode.XII-1