Surge Shipping and the U.S. Expeditionary Strategy: 10 Pounds in a Five Pound Bag

摘要

The military strategy of the armed forces is an expeditionary one, and growing more so. While the surface Navy is increasingly focused on direct littoral operations, deep strike, and supporting fires for Army and Marine Corps land forces, its biggest challenge may be in the open ocean. Surge sealift is the most critical factor enabling the U. S expeditionary strategy, and at the same time is extremely vulnerable - Large portions of the assault force and its immediate support are either positioned on ships overseas or must arrive promptly by sealift from the United States. Much of this shipping is unique or irreplaceable. Historically, anti-shipping wars have been contests of attrition and staggering losses are caused by even modest enemy forces. With so much U.S. military capability in such a limited amount of surge shipping, each unit becomes immensely important to protect, requiring an enormous amount of resources against a determined adversary. The U.S. Navy may find that protection of shipping diverts a large number of assets away from a littoral role. It is time to reexamine the dependence on surge shipping and the requirements for its protection.