Military Readiness: Effects of a U.S. Military Presence in Europe on Mobility Requirements
Abstract
The Department of Defense defines overseas presence as the right mix of permanently stationed forces, rotationally deployed forces, temporarily deployed forces, and infrastructure required to conduct the full range of military operations. Historically, these forces have been concentrated in three regions-Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Southwest Asia. Forces in Europe include the major elements of two Army divisions; six Air Force wings, which include fighter/attack, refueling, and transport aircraft; one Navy aircraft carrier battle group; and one Marine Corps amphibious group.5 Prepositioned items include Army stockpiles of equipment for three heavy brigades, equipment and supplies for the lead unit of a Marine Corps expeditionary unit, and six Air Force air base support sets. The Mobility Requirements Study 2005, issued in January 2001, determined the number and mix of mobility systems needed to support the national defense strategy at the time, which required the military to fight and win two nearly simultaneous major wars.6 This mix includes both airplanes and ships owned by Defense as well as volunteer and chartered civilian airplanes and ships that participate in the Department's mobility programs. The study investigated mobility requirements stateside as well as between theaters and within individual theaters of war. The analysis determined requirements for the three components of mobility (airlift, sealift, and ground transportation) and assumed that most forces and prepositioned equipment currently stationed overseas, including those in Europe, would remain at the levels planned, at the time of the study, for fiscal year 2005. The study also modeled the en-route airbases needed to support the movement of forces and equipment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA396734
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office