Logistical Foresight: Sustaining the Joint Stand in Force in the First Island Chain
Abstract
The United States has long had the freedom of maneuver to ship and fly massive numbers and amounts of troops and material needed to win a war anywhere on the globe. Chinas development of an anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategy, however, prevents the United States from freely maneuvering forces and material along the first island chain in the Pacific, where the U.S. has treaty allies and key partners. In the event of a conflict, Chinas A2/AD strategy creates a contested environment where the People's Liberation Army dominates the air and sea domain. The best method the United States has to counter China's network of A2/AD sensors and missiles is to have a stand in force dispersed geographically within the first island chain with allies and partners. This research examines how the United States and China arrived to its current state as peer competitors. Using the United States experience in the Philippines from December 1941 -April 1942, this research shows the best method to sustain a force when lacking sea and air dominance is to have pre-positioned war time material stocked to allow a force to complete its mission.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 04, 2024
- Accession Number
- AD1227840
Entities
People
- Felix Iii Guerra
Organizations
- National Defense University