British Combat Service Support during the Falkland Islands War: Considerations for Providing Operational Sustainment to Remote Areas
Abstract
This study analyzes British combat service support at the operational level during the 1982 Falkland Islands War and discusses important considerations for providing operational sustainment to remote areas. It begins with a brief discussion of the rapid deployment of the British Task Force and the constraints that resulted that resulted for subsequent operational sustainment. Then, it examines British operational sustainment from time of deployment to the end of the war. The discussion includes organization; initial planning; importance of Ascension; final plans (to include medical evacuation) and how plans changed. The study then discusses six issues from the British experience that are important for the U.S. military to consider when planning and sustaining operations to remote areas: centers of gravity; air superiority and operational sustainment; forward basing; logistics-over-the-shore operations; protecting future sustainability; and improvisation. The study concludes that the U.S. military can learn important lessons from the Falkland Islands War.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA174403
Entities
People
- Kenneth L. Privratsky
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College