Army Sustainment Capabilities in FOrced Entry Operations: The Impact of Private Contracting on Army Sustainment's Capabilities to Sustain Forces in Forced Entry Operations

摘要

Army Sustainment is a vital aspect of success in war. Throughout U.S. military history, the ability to sustain military forces for extended periods has led to numerous military victories. The Normandy invasion and subsequent defeat of Nazi Germany was possible because of a strong U.S. industrial base and the strategic sustainment capabilities of the Allied armies. The logistics build-up of Operations Desert Shield and sustainment operations leading up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, are the most recent examples of the criticality of sustainment planning for offensive operations. Likewise, throughout U.S. military history, private contracting supported military sustainment operations. As technology and weapons sophistication developed, and U.S. Armies increased in sheer numbers, the ability of the Active Force to sustain itself lessened, and the numbers of private contractors grew exponentially. This study reveals the difficulties that Army Sustainment faces in supporting its forces without significant contractor assistance. Operations Desert Shield and Iraqi Freedom represent an imbalance of private contractors and U.S. Army sustainment capabilities. These two cases suggest a need to maintain the correct balance of military sustainment capabilities with maneuver forces in the U.S. Army. Not achieving this important task will affect our future military readiness and ability to sustain military forces in distant theaters of operations.