Revolution in Military Logistics: No More Mountains to Move?
Abstract
The United States supports deployed forces by building significant supply stocks in theaters of operations. Early logisticians experienced increased requirements for ammunition and foodstuffs that made sustainment directly from the industrial base difficult. Refinement of rail and water transportation systems enabled Civil War era logisticians to create remote support bases for deployed forces. The Army refined this method of support in the World Wars and perpetuated it during both the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars. This method of operations has its drawbacks. Forward depots are prime candidates for contusion and overstockage. Notable examples of supply contusion and lack of cargo visibility occurred on the beaches at Normandy, and the area around Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam. Deployment to the Persian Gulf War saw a similar buildup, with its associated supply confusion. Units found that parts arrived more quickly when ordered directly from CONUS, although like items were in theater. Army leaders are seeking to leverage Information Age technology to prevent this situation from happening in future conflicts. TRADOC Pamphlet 525-5, Force XXI Operations, calls for the Army to forge links between the United States' robust industrial sustainment base and negate the requirement for Army-managed stockpiles. This concept proposes a tme producer-to-foxhole sustainment system. The enablers for such a system will be rapid information management, coupled with reliable, fast strategic airlift. The notion is that a properly cataloged replacement assembly at New Cumberland Army Depot could be delivered to the user faster than an improperly cataloged part that is in the theater.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 08, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA294990
Entities
People
- Scott M. Bergeron
Organizations
- United States Army War College