Sea Basing

From the inception of the Near Term Prepositioning Ships (NTPS) in 1980 to the enhanced Maritime Prepositioning Force, MPF(E), and the Army Flotilla, the sea basing idea has been extensively explored but not yet achieved. The refusal of Turkey to allow the 4th Infantry Division to offload and transit their country in Operation Iraqi Freedom has given the sea-basing concept additional impetus. This monograph was written to explore the sea basing concept and assess the future capabilities. There are several alternatives that are being explored that could give U.S. forces a fully functional, joint sea base. Research included investigating the inception of the Maritime Prepositioning Force in the early 1980 's through its employment in Desert Shield/Desert Storms and how its success influenced the DOD to mandate that the Army acquire a preposition capability of its own. Since OIF the sea basing idea has generated significant discussion within the DOD. Attempts to realize the sea bases 19 full potential include constructing a huge Mobile Offshore Base (MOB) and improvements to the current Combat Logistics Fleet (CLF) and the planned advancements to be attained with the future Maritime Preposition Force or MPF(F). The latter course of action promises to deliver the best capability. The United States does not want to have a situation that would prevent its awesome military power from being projected in pursuit of American national interest and the sea basing concept promises to substantially reduce that risk. This monograph concludes that the MPF(F) promises to deliver the best capability.