The Operational Necessity for Logistics Common Operating Picture
Abstract
It is no mystery that modern combat forces require ammo, food, water, fuel and supplies to function on the battlefield, so then, why is logistics so hard? Why, after learning many lessons from Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1991, the U.S. Military during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in 2003 still had many logistics challenges? During OIF, CENTCOM implemented the Logistics Common Operating Picture (LCOP) concept, which provided enough logistics situational awareness to reduce the Iron Mountains of Desert Storm to hills in OIF. This paper argues that the relative success of logistics during OIF indicates that LCOP is a move in the right direction, and it argues that LCOP, when synchronized with the other operating functions can be effective in helping the commander balance the factors of time, space and force. Furthermore, it concludes that LCOP will become even more essential under transformation as the U.S. military seeks to leverage technology to accelerate the pace of war with smaller lighter forces operating in a larger non-contiguous battlespace. This paper initiates its argument with a working definition of LCOP and explaining why it is important to the commander. It then analyzes relevant vignettes to show how LCOP helps the commander balance the factors of time, space and force and how it helps him synchronize the operating functions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 16, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA425990
Entities
People
- Michael A. Spencer
Organizations
- Naval War College