Strategic Mobility for the National Military Strategy

Abstract

The National Military Strategy, and the National Security Strategy it supports both place particular emphasis on the need for strategic mobility in conducting crisis response. Our current thinking on strategic mobility centers around the mobility triad of airlift, sealift, and prepositioning (both sea- based and land-based . Each leg of the triad has its own capabilities and limitations. The Gulf War was a test of the nation's mobility capability built during the Cold War, a capability that never met its requirements. As we examine the lessons of that war and look ahead, new thinking and principles must emerge. The 1992 Mobility Requirements Study by JCS is a significant step in that direction, but it is still partially anchored in Cold War thinking. Land-based prepositioning has limited utility in supporting the new National Military Strategy. What is needed is a new strategic triad of airlift, sealift (including sea-based prepositioning) and amphibious lift. Defense force structure and strategic mobility need to be built and funded hand-in-hand.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA283281

Entities

People

  • Richard W. Kokko

Organizations

  • Air War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Cold War
  • Combat Forces
  • Commercial Aircraft
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Department Of Defense
  • Deployment
  • Force Structure
  • Lessons Learned
  • Logistics
  • Maritime Industry
  • Military Equipment
  • Military Strategy
  • National Security
  • Southwest Asia
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Strategic Security Studies