Antarctica's Logistic Support Defined as a Military Operation Other than War

摘要

The Department of Defense (primarily the Navy) provides to the National ScienceFoundation, Division of Polar Programs, the logistic support for scientific research in Antarctica. The support of Antarctic research by the military is a long and valuable tradition, beginning with the enormous contributions of RADM Richard E. Byrd. This legacy continues with the weather, air traffic control, helicopter, aircraft, postal, radio, television, recreation, medical, dental, communications, disbursing, and religious services provided by the military. The employment of these services meet the six principles of military operations other than war. The criteria of mission, objective, unity of effort, security, appropriate force, and legitimacy in order to meet a national strategy is more appropriate than describing these services as exotic, unique or unusual. Failure to apply current and accurate terminology can result in the tactical elements of accomplishing the logistic mission overriding the national objective of an active and influential presence. When the national objective is obscured, it opens the door for the erosion of military assets and funding difficulties. (AN).