Expeditionary or Forward Based?
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By Anthony Cowden
July 23, 2019
During the 20th century, the U.S. Navy developed and fielded (floated?) a truly expeditionary navy. Efforts began during the First World War, where at-sea refueling was developed to allow destroyers of the era to cross the Atlantic. This was expanded on in the post-war years with the addition of the ability to transfer stores, ammunition, and personnel, all while ships were underway and making way, in a wide range of sea states and weather. The necessity of this capability was underscored by pre-World War II wargaming conducted at the U.S Naval War College in Newport, RI, which highlighted the logistic challenges of conducting a maritime campaign against the distant Japanese Empire.
During the Second World War, this capability was expanded even further, most notably by the Service Squadrons (SERVRONS). Employing fleet tugs for combat salvage and floating drydocks for hull and structural repairs, entire floating shipyards and logistic bases were established in remote atolls across the Pacific, able to be moved and kept relatively close to the operational Fleet as the fight moved westward.
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