Tactical Lift: The Flexibility Shortfall in AirLand Operations,

Abstract

This monograph explores the capability of army tactical headquarters to fight and sustain combat brigades and task forces simultaneously. Its focus is on the tactical transportation shortfall which exists in the army today, the impact of this shortfall on Airland Battle doctrine, and some recommended solutions. Historical examples from twentieth century war are used to demonstrate the importance of transportation in providing flexibility at the tactical level. The paper questions whether current tactical headquarters possess the same degree of flexibility from motor transportation which units in World Wars I and II experienced. The paper argues that interdiction, competition, and friction will magnify current shortfalls in future wars to a level where host nation support and scavenging will be unable to resolve them. The military truck is offered as a solution to the problem of providing certainty and flexibility at the tactical level. Keywords: Combat support; Logistics support.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 04, 1988
Accession Number
ADA191791

Entities

People

  • Robert T. Dail

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Combat Forces
  • Combat Operations
  • Doctrine
  • Lessons Learned
  • Logistics
  • Maintenance
  • Materials
  • Military Equipment
  • Military History
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Multiple Launch Rocket System
  • New York
  • Procurement
  • Students
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Military Science
  • Systems Analysis and Design