Air Sustainment of Military Operations: Practical Problems and Prospects
Abstract
Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm are generally considered to have been logistics triumphs. Sustainment support of high priority material that require air transport, however, has been criticized. Substainment airlift required for the enormous amounts of high priority material generated for support of deployed forces was either not foreseen or severely underestimated to support material and lift requirements. The immediate results were material shortages, transportation delays, and the imposition of AD HOC systems to support sustainment operations. This paper examines many of the air sustainment lessons learned from the Gulf War. Focus is on the high priority material requirements so vital to the operational readiness of deployed forces. Flexible airlift options, both military and commercial, are reviewed. Included are lessons learned with regard to sustainment planning and command and control of sustainment operations. In each case, discussion is tailored to planning actions that operational level commanders and their logistics staffs can take to bring about more effective outcomes for air sustainment operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 08, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA279464
Entities
People
- Robert J. Ritchie
Organizations
- Naval War College