DARWIN, Australia – Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22 completed Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations Exercise, or EABOEX, to practice and refine expeditionary concepts in a realistic, South Pacific island environment from August 31 – September 4.

Led by India Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, MRF-D Marines and Sailors traveled from Darwin to South Goulburn Island in the Arafura Sea and conducted a series of force-on-force events to simulate seizing and holding key terrain in an expeditionary posture. The exercise force included the 3/7 Marines and Sailors along with a low altitude air defense platoon, an electronic warfare section, a water purification team, and other enablers to reinforce and sustain the team.

“EABOEX started with a company air assault to seize key terrain which allowed LAAD to establish coastal air defense,” said Captain Erik Glynn, the India Company Commander and officer-in-charge of the exercise force for EABOEX.

 "We conducted unique operations involving water purification and prolonged casualty care to self-sustain for four days."Captain Erik Glynn, EABOEX officer-in-charge

While official doctrine is still under construction, MRF-D utilized concepts laid out in the tentative manual for EABO to conduct the exercise. With the intent to maintain a low-signature, easily-sustained force capable of conducting area denial, the MRF-D team established a security posture on the remote Australian island following an MV-22 insert. Once inserted, the exercise force worked to establish aerial ambush sites utilizing LAAD to target simulated enemy aircraft. In the future, sea lane ambush sites utilizing sea-denial weapons and capability will be integrated into the exercise design, allowing the forward Marines to identify, target, and engage hostile surface combatants threatening to encroach on regional sovereignty.

“EABO support the projection of naval power by integrating with and supporting the larger naval campaign,” reads the tentative manual for EABO. “Missions of EABO include to support sea control operations, conduct sea denial operations within the littorals, and contribute to maritime domain awareness.”