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

Chapter XII• Are clear of mines and navigationalhazards to the maximum extent possible;• Provide sufficient dispersion to preventconcentrations that would make theamphibious force a desirable target forNBC attack; and• Provide for economy of screening forces.b. Charts. Large-scale charts showing thesea areas in and adjacent to the operationalarea must be available to assist C2 functions.7. Staging AreasPlans will be made by the CATF, inconsultation with the CLF, to use staging areaswhile en route to the operational area. Theamphibious force may stage at one or moreintervening ports for logistic support,emergency repairs, or final rehearsals. TheCATF will select the staging area requiredand will ensure that:a. Necessary service craft are available.b. A general logistics schedule ispromulgated.c. Anchorages are assigned based onconsideration for expediting logistics whilefacilitating entry and sortie of movementgroups staging through the area and avoidingvulnerable concentrations.d. Provision is made for replacing orrepairing any critical supplies or equipmentexpended or damaged during rehearsal.8. Sea Areasa. To minimize the possibility ofinterference between various elements of theamphibious force and other supporting forces,sea areas in the vicinity of the landing areawill be selected by the CATF and designatedby the higher commander. The sea areas willXII-6be divided into a number of operating areasas depicted in Figure XII-1 and describedbelow.b. Ocean Operating Areas. Three kindsof ocean operating areas may be selected.• Close support areas near, but notnecessarily in, the landing area. Theseareas are assigned to support carrier battlegroups, surface action groups, surfaceaction units, and certain logistic elements.• Distant support areas located in thevicinity of the landing area but atconsiderable distance seaward of it.These areas are assigned to distantsupport forces, such as striking forces,surface action groups, surface actionunits, and their logistic groups.• A distant retirement area located toseaward of the landing area. This area isdivided into a number of operating areasto which assault ships may retire andoperate in the event of heavy weather orto prevent concentration of ships in thelanding area.c. Sea Areas Within the Landing Area.Areas in the landing area extending outwardto the inner limits of the close support areasare known as the sea areas within the landingarea.• Sea Echelon Area. An area to seawardof a transport area from which assaultships are phased into the transport areaand to which assault ships withdraw fromthe transport area. The use of a seaechelon area allows for dispersion as adefense against weapons of massdestruction, surface, subsurface, or airthreats.• Transport Area. In amphibiousoperations, an area assigned to a transportorganization for the purpose of debarkingJP 3-02