The Relevance and Future of Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS) Operations

Abstract

While the United States military is unmatched in its ability to project forces anywhere in the world, this advantage is only enjoyed because of reliance on strategic airlift and sealift combined with world-class port and airfield infrastructure. As an option, Joint Logistics over the Shore (JLOTS) operations enable strategic ship offload through inadequate or damaged ports, or over a bare beach. The Department of Defense (DoD) must ensure that this capability is sufficient and integrated across the Joint Force. History has shown the advantage of projecting forces onto the shores of the enemy. However, periods between conflicts have often resulted in decreased budgets and less emphasis on capabilities such as amphibious operations and JLOTS. To continue to provide this flexible logistics option, the Services and the joint community must emphasize its importance through continued investment and increased joint collaboration. A comprehensive study to determine concepts, capabilities, and requirements for JLOTS to support future Joint force structures will ensure an accurate starting point for assessing JLOTS. Doctrine must reflect the importance of JLOTS to emerging concepts such as seabasing to ensure a seamless transition from one method of logistics delivery to another. Continued and expanded training opportunities will increase the breadth of JLOTS experience across all the Services. The platforms and capabilities existing today for JLOTS must continue to receive required funding to ensure availability when needed for the next contingency. Finally, the joint community must explore every opportunity to enhance its JLOTS capability to ensure that this capability is still viable as platforms and equipment reach the end of their serviceable life.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA581316

Entities

People

  • Rhonda L. Fisher

Organizations

  • National Defense University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Power
  • Amphibious Operations
  • Boats
  • Business Administration
  • Combatant Commanders
  • Doctrine
  • Employment
  • Maintenance
  • Marine Transportation
  • Military History
  • Military Operations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • United States Pacific Command
  • United States Transportation Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.