In this part one of a two part LPF Post, Mark Mankowski examines the littoral manoeuvre capability with reference to the Defence Strategic Review. He considers the importance to the integrated force and provides an alternative definition, similar to the concept of ‘archipelagic manoeuvre’, which he submits better reflects the capability envisaged by the DSR.

The Australian Army Research Centre (AARC) invites your contribution to the Spring Series of the AARC Short Thoughts Competition with the theme: ‘Army’s approach to Accelerated Preparedness’. This is your opportunity to help further Australian land power debate. Submissions will be published in the Land Power Forum (LPF) and authors of the most meritorious entries will be invited to attend an Army sponsored event and will also be awarded a book voucher.

In Occasional Paper 16, Resetting the Australian Army, Dr Albert Palazzo identifies the key aspects of the Defence Strategic Review and their importance to Army, highlighting that the overall message is positive for the land force. Using a number of historical reviews to illustrate how Army has responded to government directed defence policy re-assessments in the past, Palazzo points to a trajectory for contemporary capability renewal.

In June, the AARC launched the winter series 'Short Thoughts Competition' or Army's role in train, advise and assist missions. This Post announces the winners of that competition.

In part two of Mark Mankowski's consideration of 'What is Littoral Manoeuvre', he draws on historical examples to learn more about what the concept means in the context of direction provided by the recent Defence Strategic Review. He proposes changes to how the ADF conceives of littoral manoeuvre operations to better inform options for a possible future Army amphibious capability.

The Defence Strategic Review will have encouraged many in the profession of arms to review conflict in the southwest Pacific. Sam Baumgarten explains why 'The Conquering Tide' offers an accessible entry to Pacific War history from a United States perspective.

This Land Power Forum Post examines the conduct of train, advice and assist missions through the lens of two historic examples - the 8th Military District in 1941 and Robin Force in New Caledonia. Author James Eling finds that these experiences reinforce the importance of matching assistance with the needs of the host nation.

In an uncertain strategic climate, Temma Perry underscores the value of Australian international engagement through military partnerships, training programs and assistance missions.

Amanda Plant makes the case for a targeted measles vaccination program to supplement the ADF's train, advise and assist missions.

Chris Roberts commends Elizabeth Greenhalgh's history of Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces on the Western Front in 1918. Likely to be the pre-eminent English language work on Foch for decades to come, Roberts assesses this volume as a fascinating insight into allied strategy during the war with contemporary lessons for coalition commanders.

In this part one of a two part LPF Post, Mark Mankowski examines the littoral manoeuvre capability with reference to the Defence Strategic Review. He considers the importance to the integrated force and provides an alternative definition, similar to the concept of ‘archipelagic manoeuvre’, which he submits better reflects the capability envisaged by the DSR.

The Defence Strategic Review challenges Army to project land power into the region and to engage our neighbours. Jarrod Brook asserts the strategic relevance of train, advise and assist missions to achieve this imperative.

Andrew Carr explains why the new Occasional Paper,' An Army in Forward Motion - Presence and Deterrence' offers Army timely insights that can inform efforts to shape the strategic environment in line with the direction set by government and by Army itself.

While Australian policy guidance has recently embraced deterrence as a strategic posture, there is limited guidance about the force structure and posture implications for Army. The Australian Army Research Centre's new Occasional Paper addresses this gap by developing three models to achieve strategic deterrence through the forward presence of land forces.

Not all security force assistance provided by Australia is focussed on states in conflict or categorised as 'fragile', Athol Yates considers the distinctive characteristics of training with developed and advance states, including the necessary adjustments to Army's approach.

While the Australian Army may respond to the Defence Strategic Review by continuing its ad hoc and bespoke, pathway to train, advise and assist (TAA) missions, Chris Field argues an alternate pathway. Specifically, he makes the case for a standing Australian Army Security Force Assistance Battalion (SFABn) to achieve TAA missions.

William Leben reflects on the many shared challenges facing the ADF and the UK military as they both respond to strategic disruptions.

In this Land Power Forum post, Thomas Davis explores how the Australian Army's role in train, advise and assist missions contributes to strengthening regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific. He focuses on the opportunities to leverage these missions to achieve strategic deterrence.

John Wellfare discusses the benefits of collaboration as a key tenet of train, advise and assist missions in the Indo-Pacific region. The mutual benefits of such operations are achieved most effectively when we truly view regional neighbours as joint partners.

Building solid relationships conducive to mutual force preservation is at the forefront of international missions. Luke Jones considers elements of relationship building - including strategic dialogue, training, and cultural awareness - through the aperture of train, advise and assist missions.