Sustainment of Theater Army Forces: The Essence and the Art

摘要

This monograph examines two of the assumptions which underlie the Joint Chiefs ofStaff support planning model as they relate to sustainment of Army forces in a unified command's wartime campaign. One is that lines of communication (LOCs) are secure. The second assumption is that an intratheater means of distribution exists, which is normally associated with ports, airfields, roads, and railroads, and their operating units. These two assumptions are analyzed using theoretical, doctrinal, and historical criteria. The analysis shows that secure LOCs and infrastructure capabilities are absolute requirements to sustain Army forces in a unified command's wartime campaign. The analysis also indicates that infrastructural requirements very greatly between theaters. The requirements for secure LOCs and a theater infrastructure are the essence of sustainment of theater Army forces. The art lies in campaign design and execution that achieves them.