A VISION OF THE USMC ADVANCED BASE FORCE
A VISION OF THE USMC ADVANCED BASE FORCE JOHN S. NAYLOR 5 NOVEMBER, 2025 The fleet has sailed from here, in search of the enemy. The craggy, desert island’s deep-water harbor bustles as small craft move from shore to ship, some delivering supplies and repair parts to the destroyer tender just off the beach. Further out, two colliers swing at anchor, awaiting the return of the fleet. Ashore, the sounds of Marines and sailors at work compete with the constant rush of the trade winds blowing across the baking hills. Seabirds at the trash dump keen; the sound of boats’ bells and ships’ whistles travel over the water. The canvas walls of the Navy maintenance shops rustle in the constant wind. Inside, out of the sun, machinists fabricate repair parts for damaged plants and condensers. Across the company road a Marine work detail expands the latrine trench behind the bivouac tents; others stack supplies outside the supply tents near the new wharf where corpsmen transfer the sick and woun...