Spc. Alex Parrack assists loading Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System equipment onto a M1075A1 Palletized Load System truck at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif. Blauer Bund

Transforming Theater Sustainment

Roman.SchlosserbB Newsletter, Feature

Transforming Theater Sustainment to Win in a Contested Logistics Environment

Executive Summary of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command White Paper

As the U.S. Army pursues transformational change to execute Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) in a contested logistics environment against strategic rivals, theater sustainment faces unprecedented challenges:

Soldiers with the 24th Composite Truck Company and Task Force Spartan work together to change tires on an M1000 Heavy Equipment Transporter semitrailer 24 December 2021 during Operation Provider Caravan in Saudi Arabia. Blauer Bund
Soldiers with the 24th Composite Truck Company and Task Force Spartan work together to change tires on an M1000 Heavy Equipment Transporter semitrailer 24 December 2021 during Operation Provider Caravan in Saudi Arabia. © Sgt. 1st Class Mary S. Katzenberger, U.S. Army
  1. Russia and China’s anti-access/area denial (A2AD) strategy will require contested power projection, across all domains, from points of origin to the tactical edge. Our adversary’s theory of victory relies on attaining localized success, undermining political support, and delaying military response to achieve strategic objectives.
  2. The contested logistics environment requires an adaptive sustainment network that leverages artificial intelligence to adapt faster than the enemy attacks, a networked sustainment model that creates options, and uses a variety of multi-modal and unmanned transportation capabilities to sustain the force.
  3. In LSCO, ultimate victory will go to the side with secure prolonged endurance. All wars become wars of attrition, eventually. The side that creates multiple dilemmas for its adversary, sustains the massing of operational effects at critical points over time, and regenerates combat power faster than the enemy will win.
  4. Collective defense requires collective sustainment. Allies are our greatest strength. While we face active threats from adversaries opposed to the rules-based international order, we are stronger together. Warfighting with allies requires building partner capacity, synchronized planning, interoperability, and convergence.
Spc. Alex Parrack assists loading Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System equipment onto a M1075A1 Palletized Load System truck at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif. Blauer Bund
Spc. Alex Parrack assists loading Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System equipment onto a M1075A1 Palletized Load System truck at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif. © Sgt. Taylor Cleveland/Mississippi Army National Guard

We have an opportunity to leverage existing contingency operations through a campaign mindset to change how the Army sustains theater operations in conflict. The world is becoming increasingly unstable, and we must transform to meet the challenge.

Anm. Red.: This summary is also available in a German translation.

Text: MAJ Chris Ingram, Strategist, 21st Theater Sustainment Command
Approved by MG Ronald Ragin, Commanding General, 21st Theater Sustainment Command