Force Protection for Distribution Based-Logistics in Asymmetric Warfare

Abstract

United States military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan demonstrate that adversaries are likely to persist in seeking advantage through asymmetric warfare. Within this context, emerging doctrine on Network Centric Warfare (NCW) and Effects Based Operations (EBO) must realistically apply to the U.S. Army, and more specifically, to Combat Service Support (CSS) leaders on the battlefield. In light of emerging doctrine, this monograph proposes necessary adaptations to force protection for Distribution-Based Logistics (DBL) under conditions of asymmetric warfare. Building on experience from Vietnam and contemporary operations in Iraq, this study examines the anticipated impact of the Joint Operational Environment (JOE) on CSS operations, including the key issue of tactical distribution. Among its conclusions, this study argues that the Army must insure that CSS leaders in the field have the ability to gain the required situational awareness to support and sustain the tactical commander's force momentum. In addition, the author argues that a transforming Army must balance efficiency and effectiveness to assure CSS units the necessary resources for mission accomplishment on the future asymmetric battlefield.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 26, 2005
Accession Number
ADA436192

Entities

People

  • Thomas M. Spenard

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

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

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Armored Personnel Carriers
  • Asymmetric Warfare
  • Combat Areas
  • Command And Control
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Deployment
  • Employment
  • Information Systems
  • Lessons Learned
  • Logistics
  • Military Operations
  • Network Centric Warfare
  • Personnel Management
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Vietnam War
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies