The article is seven pages but it's an easy and interesting read by former British Infantry officer William Owen:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...n16346580/pg_1

As with distributed operations - whether you fully agree with it or not - I think some of his ideas are worthy of discussion and consideration.

I also see parallels with law enforcement. You could consider a police station a patrol base of sorts. As far as missions and operations go, you usually give cops a goal but not specific orders about how to achieve it and the first core function is "find."