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By (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman      Published  Sep 17, 2026 5:46 PM EDT     (usmc-used-its-expeditionary-operations-playbook-in-combat-for-first-time-during-epic-fury.html#comments)    0           (https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=twz.com) Add TWZ (opens in a new tab)      More information Adding us as a Preferred Source in Google by using this link indicates that you would like to see more of our content in Google News results.        (The Marines used their Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept for the first time in combat during Epic Fury.)   A U.S. Marine with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, stands next to aircraft ordnance at a forward arming and refueling point in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 26, 2026.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Maksim Masloboev)    The TWZ Newsletter Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.   (handle_newsletter_email_submission) (be55d8db40)  (/sea/usmc-used-its-expeditionary-operations-playbook-in-combat-for-first-time-during-epic-fury)  (TWZInline) (0) Email address  (Enter your email) (Please enter a valid email address)  Sign Up  Thank you!      (https://recurrent.io/terms-and-conditions/) Terms of Service and(https://recurrent.io/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy        The (https://www.31stmeu.marines.mil/) 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit ’s (31st MEU) recent deployment to the Middle East marked the first time the United States Marine Corps (USMC) used its (https://www.mcwl.marines.mil/TMEABO/) Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept in a combat setting, the service confirmed to TWZ on Thursday. At its core, EABO involves relatively small groups of Marines quickly establishing bases of operation in forward areas, often within the enemy’s weapons range. During operations in the fight against Iran, Marines refueled and rearmed their own aircraft, as well as those from the joint force, at these austere locales. They also set up remote sensing locations, among other actions from the EABO playbook. This employment of EABO for Epic Fury is a highly significant development. After years of progressively evolving the EABO playbook, it was no longer an experimental exercise. This meant that Marines were forward deployed in a contested area in a region where established bases were taking heavy fire from Iranian missile and drone barrages. (https://www.twz.com/news-features/two-u-s-troops-killed-in-iranian-barrage-on-base-in-jordan) Troops were killed in some of these attacks and U.S. aircraft, buildings and equipment (https://www.twz.com/air/airmen-under-fire-stories-from-iranian-barrages-on-u-s-bases) were damaged and destroyed across the Middle East . Pushing aircraft from the MEU, as well as the joint force, to FARPs (forward arming and refueling point) would have been a relevant asset preservation tactic as well as one that would help accelerate combat operations, and it’s exactly what EABO is meant to do. The 31st MEU’s six-month deployment began in January in the Pacific, before the unit was (https://www.twz.com/news-features/marine-expeditionary-unit-deploying-to-the-middle-east-report) ordered to the Middle East in March , returning to Okinawa, Japan, in July. That’s where it is stationed as the USMC’s only continuously forward-based MEU. ()  A map of the 31st MEU’s deployment. (31st MEU)   “This was the first time we were able to implement EABO in combat operations since the concept was created for the force,” Capt. Steven J. Keenan, a USMC spokesperson, told us. “We have practiced it many times, but this was a first for supporting a Joint Force named operation with forward FARPs and forward bases that supported joint ops and combat power sustainment.” EABO was (https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Portals/142/Docs/CMC38%20Force%20Design%202030%20Report%20Phase%20I%20and%20II.pdf?ver=2020-03-26-121328-460) first introduced in 2020 by then-Commandant Gen. David Berger in his Force Design 2030 plan for the future of the Corps. It was created with a fight against China in mind, especially utilizing small Pacific islands. The idea is to have highly mobile, low-signature forces deployed forward in austere, contested or potentially contested maritime locations. The mission is to “support sea control operation, conduct sea denial operations within the littorals, contribute to maritime domain awareness, provide forward command, control, communications, computers, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance, (https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/2708164/recon-counter-recon/) reconnaissance , targeting, and counter-targeting capability and forward sustainment,” (https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/2708120/expeditionary-advanced-base-operations-eabo/) according to the Marines .  ()  A Marine holding a Stinger missile launcher stands in front of a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft on Ukibaru Island off the coast of Okinawa during Exercise Hagatna Fury 21. (USMC) A Marine holding a Stinger missile launcher stands in front of a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft on Ukibaru Island off the coast of Okinawa during Exercise Hagatna Fury 21. USMC   The news of the first activation of the EABO concept in combat came Wednesday during a media roundtable with Col. Chris P. Niedziocha, who commanded the 31st MEU during its deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury. Now director of the USMC Expeditionary Warfare School, Niedziocha discussed EABO and a range of other operations during that deployment, including (https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/4464037/us-forces-disable-vessel-attempting-to-enter-iranian-port-violate-blockade/) boarding vessels during the blockade of Iranian ports. The 31st MEU was embarked aboard the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), which consisted of the America class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli , San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans , and Whidbey Island class dock landing ship USS Rushmore . You can read more about the ARG/MEU and its assets in our initial story about the deployment to the Middle East (https://www.twz.com/news-features/marine-expeditionary-unit-deploying-to-the-middle-east-report) here . ()  USS Tripoli . (Staff Sgt. Samuel Ruiz)   “You’re starting to see this has been validated,” the colonel said of the EABO concept during the roundtable TWZ attended virtually. “It’s still nascent, but we actually, for the first time, demonstrated what we thought we were able to do, which I think is pretty exciting. And then things like forward arming and refueling to extend the operational reach of aircraft and expeditionary reloading, and then the ever-present logistic challenge of doing something like that. So that’s pretty significant.” “We successfully implemented critical Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO), establishing sensor expeditionary advanced bases and forward arming and refueling points (FARPs) where none existed,” the colonel added. “Through our forward logistic elements, we proved that an agile Marine Air-Ground Task Force can sustain itself and generate ready, lethal power in contested maritime environments, directly setting the theater for follow-on joint forces.” One of the objectives of the FARPs was to reduce reliance on the Marines’ fleet of (https://www.twz.com/category/kc-130) KC-130 aerial refuelers and serve as jumping-off points for its (https://www.twz.com/category/f-35b) F-35B Lightning II fighters . “There was all manner of tankers all the time, but the FARP is to extend the operational reach, and if you can do it, you reduce the load on that,” Niedziocha noted. “Because there’s some aircraft that are basically for expeditionary austere operations, especially the F-35B,” the Marine Corps’ variant of the aircraft designed for short take off and vertical landing.  “There are some trade-offs associated with the Bravo,” Niedziocha pointed out, using a slang for the jets. “There’s less internal fuel, but you have the lift [(https://www.navair.navy.mil/news/FRCE-adds-second-F-35-lift-system-component-repair-capabilities/Mon-08182025-1410) system ], which gives you the option to do these kinds of things. So, the goal there was to walk that fine line between providing the full sortie over wherever you needed it, and keeping the ships far enough away to make them as survivable as possible.” (An F-35B Lightning II aircraft taxis to a forward arming and refueling point in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 26, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Maksim Masloboev))  An F-35B Lightning II aircraft taxis to a forward arming and refueling point in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 26, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Maksim Masloboev) Cpl. Maksim Masloboev  In addition to the F-35Bs and other aircraft organic to the 31st MEU, the FARPs were also used by Army helicopters, Keenan told us. Imagery posted on the Pentagon’s image distribution site also showed (https://www.twz.com/air/mq-1c-gray-eagle-is-shooting-down-drones-with-hellfire-missiles-in-tests) U.S. Army Gray Eagle drones and Marine (https://www.twz.com/category/mv-22) MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft were included. (An MQ-9 Reaper drone lands at a forward arming and refueling point in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 26, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Maksim Masloboev))  A Gray Eagle drone lands at a forward arming and refueling point in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 26, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Maksim Masloboev) Cpl. Maksim Masloboev   (U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, transport aircraft ordinance to a forward arming and refueling point in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 26, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Maksim Masloboev))  U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit transport AIM-120 AMRAAMs to a forward arming and refueling point in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 26, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Maksim Masloboev) Cpl. Maksim Masloboev  Niedziocha did not provide details about where the FARPs were set up, but a U.S. defense official told us they were “disaggregated throughout the Middle East.” The official declined to provide further information, citing operational security concerns since they are still being used. “Throughout the deployment, the Tripoli ARG and 31st MEU successfully conducted over 1,600 mishap-free flight hours of combat aviation missions, including precision strikes, transporting 800,000 pounds of cargo, and moving 5,000 personnel,” a 31st MEU overview of the deployment explained. “The units also provided sustained combat support to joint force operations by delivering critical intelligence and refueling over 300 aircraft ashore and underway.” The colonel also didn’t provide details about the sensor expeditionary advanced bases. (https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/4592215/13th-meu-demonstrates-simultaneous-eab-capability-during-training-underway/) According to the Marines , “a sensing expeditionary advanced base (SEAB) brings together coastal surveillance radars, electronic sensors, and Marines ashore to extend maritime domain awareness, complementing the radars and sensors already at work aboard naval ships off the coast.” “When SEAB systems identify surface vessels in nearby sea lanes, small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) operators launch their platforms to visually identify and track the contacts,” the Marines added. “Sensor data and imagery are transmitted in real time across the blue-green command network to decision-makers.” (U.S. Marines with 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, prepare to set-up a Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) system during a routine unit level training exercise on Iejima, Okinawa, Japan, July 15, 2023. The G/ATOR provides an air defense and surveillance capability and is used to locate enemy weapon systems. As the stand-in force aviation combat element, 1st MAW is utilizing expeditionary advanced bases to expand kill chain functions and bridge Marine aviation command and control (C2), sensor, and shooter capabilities across the joint force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Manuel A. Serrano))  U.S. Marines with 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, prepare to set up a Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) system during a routine unit level training exercise on Iejima, Okinawa, Japan, July 15, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Manuel A. Serrano) Gunnery Sgt. Manuel Serrano  This capability could have been used to track Iran’s remaining fleet of small boats that it has used to (https://www.twz.com/news-features/u-s-efforts-to-prevent-iranian-mine-laying-in-strait-of-hormuz-underway) harass shipping and mine the Strait of Hormuz , as well as larger vessels trying to transport oil. Other sensors, like radars and counter-drone systems, could also help identify incoming threats and provide general situational awareness. The EABO concept was employed as part of the 31st MEU’s larger role in supporting the blockade and mine clearance efforts. The 31st MEU interdicted four vessels during the deployment, three of which led to boardings. On April 19, Marines (https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/4464037/us-forces-disable-vessel-attempting-to-enter-iranian-port-violate-blockade/) boarded the MV Touska  ; on April 28, the MV Blue Star III ; and on May 19, the MT Celestial Sea . The Touska was boarded after USS Spruance fired multiple 5-inch rounds, targeting the engine room and disabling the vessel’s propulsion. The crew of the vessel was retained for about two weeks before being repatriated. Niedziocha told us that none of the crews offered any resistance. “At two in the morning, when 30 Force Reconnaissance Marines fast rope onto your vessel, [you are] just compliant with a capital C. They did exactly what they were directed to do. The overmatch that you put onto that vessel is pretty surprising. And then there’s overwatch provided by UAS and manned aircraft, so you create this bubble around the vessel. So yeah, they complied.” You can see the  Touskabeing boarded in the following video .  The U.S. just released a video of its forces boarding and seizing the Iranian container ship M/V Touska near the Hormuz Strait after it tried to break the U.S. naval blockade (https://t.co/FpB2obb3jY) pic.twitter.com/FpB2obb3jY  — Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) (https://x.com/visegrad24/status/2046107179183132914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) April 20, 2026    Two years ago, as the EABO concept was maturing, TWZ  was invited to get an exclusive look at how an advanced EABO concept would be put into action, including how squadrons operated the F-35B out of an austere combat environment while generating combat sorties. It was an unprecedented and exclusive peek into the EABO playbook and what a real fight in the Pacific with the USMC’s most advanced fighter aircraft could actually look like. You can read about that in our story (https://www.twz.com/air/we-went-to-mock-war-with-marine-f-35bs-on-a-pacific-island) here . It appears the operations in the Middle East mirrored this exercise closely. (F-35Bs on san clémente island for austere operations training during Steel Knight exercise.)  James Deboer  Now back in Japan, the ARG/MEU is getting ready for a new deployment, said the colonel. “We got back to Okinawa, I think July 22nd, and they had already begun their workup cycle in earnest to be on the water in early January to go out and do another Iron Fist [training exercise] with the Japanese, and then long periods of a crisis response,” said Niedziocha, who relinquished command in August before moving on to his new role. “Just being there, present in the First Island Chain to partner with your allies, demonstrates the resolve and commitment to deter whatever needs deterring.”  As noted earlier in this story, the EABO concept was designed with a Pacific fight in mind. Its first combat employment in the Middle East clearly offers lessons that can now be adapted to enhance EABO operations globally. Contact the author: howard@twz.com  (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) (Howard Altman Avatar)   (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman   Senior Staff Writer    Howard is a Senior Staff Writer for  TWZ  . He writes frequently about conflict, focusing heavily on the Middle East and Ukraine, and interviews with military and intelligence officials and industry leaders from around the globe. He lives near Tampa, Florida, home of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command.   (https://twitter.com/haltman)     (https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardaltman/)           (https://www.twz.com/category/around-the-globe) Around The Globe      (https://www.twz.com/category/iran) Iran      (https://www.twz.com/category/middle-east) Middle East      (https://www.twz.com/category/news-features) News & Features         Loading comments…  Comments couldn’t be loaded. Please refresh the page.         Latest in U.S. Marine Corps (https://www.twz.com/sea/marine-colonel-who-led-mideast-combat-deployment-wants-his-own-drone-boats) (USV boarding USS Essex during a test.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/us-marine-corps) U.S. Marine Corps   (https://www.twz.com/sea/marine-colonel-who-led-mideast-combat-deployment-wants-his-own-drone-boats) Marine Colonel Who Led Mideast Combat Deployment Wants His Own Drone Boats   "If the first thing you're putting through the breach isn't a robot, something's wrong." By (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman        2:01 PM  September 18, 2026      (https://www.twz.com/sea/how-marine-rifle-squads-plan-to-fight-future-wars-dominated-by-drones) (The Marine Corps introduced its new plan for ground combat.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/us-marine-corps) U.S. Marine Corps   (https://www.twz.com/sea/how-marine-rifle-squads-plan-to-fight-future-wars-dominated-by-drones) How Marine Rifle Squads Plan To Fight Future Wars Dominated By Drones   The newly released Ground Combat Element 2040 is the Marine Corps' vision for fighting increasingly complex land battles. By (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman        5:01 PM  August 26, 2026        ()    The TWZ Newsletter  Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.   (https://twz.beehiiv.com/) Sign Up  By signing up you agree to our(https://recurrent.io/terms-and-conditions/) Terms of Service and(https://recurrent.io/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy.           More   (https://www.twz.com/air/marines-av-8-harrier-jump-jet-takes-its-final-bow) (A Marine AV-8B Harrier takes off from amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) just before sunset. Tarawa, along with embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is on a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific in support of maritime security operations and the Global War on Terrorism.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/harrier) Harrier   (https://www.twz.com/air/marines-av-8-harrier-jump-jet-takes-its-final-bow) The USMC’s AV-8B Harrier Has Flown Off Into The Sunset   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick) Thomas Newdick           (https://www.twz.com/air/new-vision-to-fill-gaps-after-av-8b-harrier-and-ah-1z-viper-retirements-laid-out-by-marines) (The U.S. Marine Corps is aiming to acquire a new single "capability" to fill gaps left by the retirement of its AV-8 Harrier jump jets, AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters, and legacy F/A-18C/D Hornet fighters.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/ah-1) AH-1   (https://www.twz.com/air/new-vision-to-fill-gaps-after-av-8b-harrier-and-ah-1z-viper-retirements-laid-out-by-marines) New Vision To Fill Gaps After AV-8B Harrier And AH-1Z Viper Retirements Laid Out By Marines   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick) Joseph Trevithick           (https://www.twz.com/air/first-usmc-mq-58-valkyrie-cca-drones-to-arrive-in-2029) (A U.S. Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, soars overhead during its second test flight at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 23, 2023. The XQ-58A Valkyrie test flight and the data collected inform future requirements for the Marine Corps in a rapidly evolving security environment, while successfully fueling joint innovation and experimentation opportunities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John McRell))     (https://www.twz.com/category/xq-58) XQ-58   (https://www.twz.com/air/first-usmc-mq-58-valkyrie-cca-drones-to-arrive-in-2029) First USMC MQ-58 Valkyrie CCA Drones To Arrive In 2029   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick) Thomas Newdick           (https://www.twz.com/land/marines-axe-adoption-of-ground-launched-tomahawk-cruise-missile) (The U.S. Marine Corps' plans to sling Tomahawk cruise missiles from remotely operated 4x4 launcher vehicles have come to an end.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/us-army) U.S. Army   (https://www.twz.com/land/marines-axe-adoption-of-ground-launched-tomahawk-cruise-missile) Marines Axe Adoption Of Ground-Launched Tomahawk Cruise Missile   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick) Joseph Trevithick           (https://www.twz.com/air/every-marine-a-drone-pilot-individual-lethality-to-go-from-meters-to-kilometers) (Every Marine A Drone Pilot: Individual Lethality To Go From Meters To Kilometers)     (https://www.twz.com/category/loitering-munitions) Loitering Munitions   (https://www.twz.com/air/every-marine-a-drone-pilot-individual-lethality-to-go-from-meters-to-kilometers) Every Marine A Drone Pilot: Individual Lethality To Go From Meters To Kilometers   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick) Joseph Trevithick           (https://www.twz.com/land/smaller-rockets-to-provide-key-artillery-firepower-boost-sought-by-army) (The Army wants to increase the magazine depth of its existing Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher vehicles, which can currently fire various 227mm rockets and short-range ballistic missiles.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/m142-himars) M142 HIMARS   (https://www.twz.com/land/smaller-rockets-to-provide-key-artillery-firepower-boost-sought-by-army) Smaller Rockets To Provide Key Artillery Firepower Boost Sought By Army   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/joseph-trevithick) Joseph Trevithick           (https://www.twz.com/air/sacked-marine-pilot-whose-f-35b-flew-without-him-after-ejecting-gives-his-side-of-the-story) (Retired Marine Col. Charles Del Pizzo told a South Carolina newspaper his version of events that led to his F-35B crashing nearly 12 minutes after he ejected.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/f-35b) F-35B   (https://www.twz.com/air/sacked-marine-pilot-whose-f-35b-flew-without-him-after-ejecting-gives-his-side-of-the-story) Sacked Marine Pilot Whose F-35B Flew Without Him After Ejecting Gives His Side Of The Story   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman) Howard Altman           (https://www.twz.com/air/kratos-close-to-a-couple-final-versions-of-xq-58-valkyrie-for-the-marines) (XQ-58 rocket launch from its rail launcher system.)     (https://www.twz.com/category/xq-58) XQ-58   (https://www.twz.com/air/kratos-close-to-a-couple-final-versions-of-xq-58-valkyrie-for-the-marines) Kratos Close To “A Couple” Final Versions Of XQ-58 Valkyrie For The Marines   By (https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway) Tyler Rogoway           (https://www.twz.com/category/sea) SEE MORE         (https://www.twz.com/) ()    The TWZ Newsletter Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.   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