Riverines and the Global Fleet Station.

I found out where Riverine Forces fell off the tracks.  The document below is from 2007 and gives a rough sketch of the Partnership missions that we see happening all over the globe.

Back in 2007 it was called Global Fleet Station (GFS).

GFS had at its core all the elements of the recently (then) formed NECC.

The recently established Naval Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) is a key enabler of theGFS concept. NECC brings together under a single command the existing forces andcapabilities of the Seabees, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Naval Expeditionary LogisticsSupport, the Maritime Expeditionary Security Force, and Mobile Diving and Salvage. It has alsodeveloped new Navy capabilities such as Riverine, Maritime Civil Affairs, Security Training,and criminal intervention; all key elements of a full-spectrum engagement capability. Theintroduction of the new Foreign Area Officer (FAO) program further expands the Navy’senablers and capability to engage more effectively around the world in a culturally informed andmeaningful manner. In addition, the State Department new Surge POLAD program can enhanceparticipation and build awareness that can augment GFS interagency support

Read the entire document, but somewhere along the way every part of this plan came together except the Riverine forces.

Perhaps it had to do with equipment fit.

Perhaps it had to do with missions in Iraq.

Perhaps it had to do with a lack of flexibility on the part of the Riverine Command structure...but somewhere along the way, Riverine got kicked off the boat.  Why do I say that?  Because in every instance you see every part of NECC (with the exception of EOD which is quite busy in Afghanistan) afloat around the world on these missions.  Every part of NECC except Riverines.

Global Fleet Station Concept

What is the answer?

Well it certainly isn't floating a Riverine Command Boat into the well deck of an Amphib.  Flashy.  Yes.  Showboating.  Yes.  Practical.  No.

They have much smaller boats that they can operate and those should be the ones that they're demonstrating and deploying.

That is, if they actually want to deploy.

The answer is this.  Riverines are going to have to break down into detachment sized units and become part of ships crews on Destroyers and Frigates and forget the dream of having a mothership based on an Amphib that they can deploy a RCB from.

One other point needs to be made here though.

African Partnership Mission.

Riverine isn't there.

Joint Task Force Horn of Africa Mission.

Riverine isn't there.

Southern Partnership Mission.

Riverine isn't there.

The problem has been more than identified.  Solutions offered from hitching rides and deploying on MEU's, to providing detachments to Destroyers and Frigates on patrol.

Its up to the Riverine's to decide what there future holds...but unless they get deployed, it won't be a very bright one.