Strategic Sealift for Desert Shield not a Blue Print for the Future

Abstract

Although there have been several huge successes in the strategic sealift campaign in support of Desert Shield and Desert Storm, it is far from a blueprint for future contingencies. Shortfalls and lessons highlight strategic sealift as a continuing weak link in support of U.S. Navy Maritime Strategy. This research examined the Strategic Mobility Policy of the Department of Defense in the 1980's. It discusses the capabilities, limitations and effectiveness of the components of strategic sealift (Maritime/Afloat Prepositioning, Fast Sealift, Naval Defense Reserve Fleet and Ready Reserve Force) and their utility for future contingencies. There is small discussion on the impact of the decline of the Maritime industry on strategic sealift. In order to provide adequate sealift for future contingencies, The Strategic Mobility Policy for sealift should be modified to expand the Afloat Prepositioning Program to include Army equipment, reduce the National Defense Reserve Fleet and revitalize the Merchant Marine Industry.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 21, 1991
Accession Number
ADA236513

Entities

People

  • Carl T. Bright
  • Sharon R. Hale

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Birds
  • Congress
  • Department Of Defense
  • Deployment
  • Governments
  • Indian Ocean
  • Logistics
  • Maintenance
  • Maritime Industry
  • National Security
  • Persian Gulf
  • Training
  • Transportation
  • United States
  • United States Central Command
  • United States Transportation Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Military Mobilization and Reserve Forces Studies.
  • Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.