Strategic Lift: Can the United States Conduct Two Nearly-Simultaneous Major Regional Contingencies.
Abstract
This monograph examines whether or not the U.S. possesses the strategic mobility assets required to win successfully two nearly simultaneous major regional conflicts (MRCs). The current National Security Strategy (NSS) states that the U.S. must have the ability to win two nearly simultaneous MRCs. The two MRC strategy requires a tremendous amount of strategic lift assets. The U.S. has historically lacked sufficient strategic lift capability. Recent studies and statements by high ranking military officers indicate the U.S. lacks sufficient strategic lift assets to execute two nearly simultaneous MRCs. This monograph is divided into eight sections. Section one, the introduction, establishes the purpose of the study and the significance of the research question to the U.S. military. Section two presents a theoretical and historical perspective to the problem of strategic deployment. Section three discusses current strategic lift assets, and examines the strengths and weaknesses of each leg of the mobility triad. Section four presents case studies of three recent nearly simultaneous operations, the 1994 deployment to Haiti (Operation Uphold Democracy), the October 1994 redeployment to Kuwait, and the concurrent tension on the Korean peninsula. Section five analyzes the ability of the U.S. to deploy and sustain forces in two nearly simultaneous MRCs. Two criteria, speed and sufficiency, are used to evaluate strategic lift assets. Section six presents an analysis of future strategic lift assets. Section seven answers the research question and presents conclusions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 19, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA300970
Entities
People
- Darrell K. Williams
- Mark R. Pires
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College