Thread by @BrianKerg

Because it's Force Design Friday, I'm giving a final push to do a comparative read-through of the TM-EABO 2nd edition!

Last time my battery died at the conclusion of the chapter on Information. We'll pick up with the chapter on Aviation Operations. 1/

https://twitter.com/BrianKerg/status/1659683950216847360

The 2d ed ID's three key characteristics for aviation operations in support of EABO that don’t exist in the 1st edition: persistent distribution of aviation elements across extended distances; ops of distributed aviation elements with minimal sustainment from rear-areas... 2/

... and networking distributed aviation elements with the littoral force command and control architecture. These characteristics inform the 2nd edition’s entire discussion of aviation operations. 3/

While nearly all aviation tasks for the Littoral Aviation Command Element (ACE) commander in both editions are the same, the 2nd edition adds one more task: Plan and coordinate base and missile defense. 4/

The 2nd edition proposes a modernization of the traditional six functions of Marine Aviation to reduce planning barriers and enhance coordination between the Navy-Marine Corps Team. 5/

In addition, it proposes adding a seventh function, ‘Aviation Ground Support,’ to clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of logistical and engineer support to an ACE executing EABO. 6/

While the 1st edition does discuss the scalability of the TACC, those implications are not explored in depth. The 2nd edition emphasizes distributing TACC functions and organizations across the battlespace and pushing command authorities down to the lowest possible level. 7/

It also notes the potential requirement to locate some TACC functions outside of the Weapons Engagement Zone (WEZ). 8/

The 2nd ed adds a new aviation C2 agency for the littorals. The Multi-Function Air Ops Center (MAOC) combines the air defense, air surveillance/air support functions of the TAOC and DASC into a single, scalable C2 agency capable of employing additional air C2 nodes and teams. 9/

The 1st ed proposed a new aviation C2 agency, the Sea Combat AOC. The SCAOC was a proposed ashore air C2 agency that would operate under the TACC or TADC to facilitate air operations in the maritime space and littoral areas. That proposal is removed from the 2nd ed. 10/

Aviation Ground Support. The 2nd edition includes thorough discussion and several paragraphs regarding aviation ground support and its application in EABO. This discussion does not exist at all in the 1st edition. 11/

The greatest single change to the entire TM-EABO is the rewrite of the chapter on #logistics. The 1st edition is only (11) pages in length while the 2nd edition is (21) pages, and explores entirely new areas that are not referenced at all in the 1st edition. 12/

While both editions note the importance of an integrated naval logistics framework, the 2nd edition also emphasizes the joint logistics enterprise (JLEnt) and Allied and partnered logistics to support movement and sustainment of decentralized forces throughout the littorals. 13/

The discussion of supply in the 2nd edition has matured and is more layered. This includes a concentric circle sourcing logic demonstrating a supply web that expands in echelon and includes EABs, sea-basing, regional sources, and global sources. 14/

Expeditionary Contracting. While the 1st edition merely made mention of this concept, the 2nd edition provides refined detail, proposing Expeditionary Contracting Platoons and practical methods of procurement from local economies. 15/

Global and Local Maintenance. The 2nd edition expands the discussion on maintenance challenges for EABO and SIF, and emphasizes the need to leverage a global maintenance servicing network as well as local maintenance providers. 16/

The 2nd edition introduces the idea of using transportation for deception and to otherwise create information related effects. Military or contracted transportation employed across the competition continuum can have an effect on adversary thinking and decision making. 17/

While the 1st ed only discusses General Engineering, the 2nd ed discusses this as well as Aviation Engineering and Combat Engineering capabilities for EABO. 18/

It also identifies engineering functions like mobility, counter-mobility, survivability, and engineer reconnaissance to enable maneuver, protection, and sustainment of littoral forces. 19/

Health Services and Medical Planning. While the 1st ed briefly touches on Health Services, the 2nd ed discusses this as well as medical intelligence, medical logistics, medical management, and health service support planning. 20/

Medical management planning discussed here includes such practical details as preventive medicine, triage, patient holding, patient evacuation, and patient expiration. 21/

Mortuary Affairs. In the event of armed conflict, fatalities are highly likely if not inevitable. The 1st edition does not account for this fact. The 2nd edition discusses mortuary affairs planning, functions, and integration of a mortuary affairs planner into the MLR. 22/

Operational Level Logistics. While the 1st ed focused almost entirely on tactical logistics, the 2nd ed includes a robust exploration of OPLOG and their impact on EABO. This includes such topics as force closure, arrival and assembly, and intra-theater lift. 23/

Medium Landing Ship. The 1st edition identified the Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) as a medium transport ship to support EABO. As the Medium Landing Ship (LSM) has become the vessel fulfilling the LAW requirement, the 2nd edition replaces references to the LAW with the LSM. 24/

LSM discussion includes additional content regarding planning for LSM employment, as well as forward staging the LSM in theater to augment ARG/MEU capabilities. 25/

Pioneer Battalions. The 2nd edition discusses a new formation, the Pioneer Battalion. This formation conducts assured mobility across seaward and landward portions of the littoral operating area. 26/

Pioneer BNs do this by employing a hybrid team of naval capabilities unconstrained by the water depth, reducing obstacles and improving routes from the very shallow water limit, inland to interior lines of communication. 27/

Strategic Logistics. The 1st ed does not include strategic log, but the 2nd ed discusses it in detail, connecting it to EABO at the tactical level. It explores mobilization, procurement, war reserves, materiel readiness, strategic lift, deployment, and force regeneration. 28/

Of note, this section also advocates for the position that forces deploying in support of EABO should be prioritized as they risk arriving later than the situation warrants. 29/

And that's all she wrote! BZ to the pioneers who wrote the 1st ed, and those champions who refined the 2nd ed. The campaign of learning continues.

While these threads highlight differences, if you haven't checked it out yet, get the TM-EABO 2nd ed. here: tinyurl.com/229ewv9n