We dedicate the April issue to expeditionary topics, which include amphibious operations, naval special warfare, littoral combat, and the Seabees. The cover image this month, courtesy of Marine Corps Lance Corporal Zachary Zephir, was not altered by us. The face of the Marine on the original image was in deep shadow—evocative for us of the many questions that hang over the Sea Services right now: recruiting and retention challenges; force size; dangers and promises of new technology; crewed or uncrewed platforms; adversary intent; budget uncertainty; and so on. The war in Ukraine, attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and chaos (again) in Haiti punctuate the dangers of this decade.
Against that backdrop, the articles in this issue offer answers. Matthew Cosner’s “How Uncrewed Seaplanes Can Support EABO” (pp. 22–27) demonstrates ways that small, unmanned seaplanes offer more options for stand-in forces at less risk. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Jesse Davis argues for light infantry to make Marine littoral regiments more viable in “Force Design Is Still Too Heavy.” Retired Marine Corps Major Carl Forsling’s “Solve Amphibious Shipping Shortfall with ESDs and ESBs” points to the large expeditionary transfer docks (ESDs) and expeditionary sea bases (ESBs) as viable alternatives to building either: a) more, expensive amphibious transport docks (LPDs); or b) dozens of medium landing ships (LSMs). The ESDs and ESBs are large affordable ships, based on the Alaska-class tankers, with a hot production line, that can transport Marines and equipment at trans-oceanic distances.
In the applied history category, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Lieutenant Commander Fujii Yu looks back at the World War II campaign in the Solomon Islands—from the Japanese perspective—and finds lessons in logistics for today’s amphibious forces in “An Island Too Far: Lessons from Guadalcanal for EABO.” We are happy to have an article from the Navy’s construction battalions this year. In “The Seabees Hurtling Back to the Future,” Navy Lieutenant Jeong Soo Kim outlines ways the Navy’s construction force will build and repair infrastructure that the Marine Corps and Navy will need to fight and win in the western Pacific.
Tactical nuclear weapons are back in the spotlight—not just in our pages but in the broader national security discussion. In “A Better Case for SLCM-N,” Lieutenant Commander Matthew Cummings explains clearly and concisely how submarine-launched nuclear-armed cruise missiles expand the options available to the national command authority.
The Maritime Counterinsurgency Project is back with an exceptional piece by U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Jeffrey Jaeger. “One Nation’s Fishing Fleet, Another Nation’s Pirates: Countering China’s Maritime Militia” takes direct aim at the Chinese People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia, pointing out that its “fishing vessels” often act in ways consistent with either piracy or national naval forces. In either case, Jaeger points out, they should be called out and expelled from other nations’ coastal waters and exclusive economic zones when conducting any activity other than innocent passage.
The Naval Institute’s annual meeting will be on 8 May. We will recognize the winners of three essay contests plus the Proceedings, Naval History, and Naval Institute Press authors of the year. It’s always a grand event. Hope to see you there!
