Military

Site 51, IS
Site 53, IS
Site 54, IS

The United States has prepositioned munitions, vehicles and other military equipment for US Marines, Special Forces, and Air Force aircraft, including an estimated $500 million worth of ammunition the United States keeps in Israel for wartime contingencies. At least six sites in Israel are used for storage, including at least three locations called Sites 51, 53, and 54. The specific locations are classified and highly sensitive.

During the Yom Kippur war, the Egyptians nearly overran the Israeli forces. They were pushed back to their borders across the Sinai. And in the first 30 days, they used up the ammunition that they had stored for 6 months.

Army Prepositioned Stock APS-2 (Europe) consists of APS brigade and unit sets and operational projects (OPROJ). Only selected sustainment starter stocks are currently authorized for APS-2 (rations, ammunition, medical, etc). part of APS-2, the War Reserve Stocks for Allies - Israel, includes ammunition held there, owned by the US, but intended for Israeli use. War reserve stocks for allies (WRSA) assets are pre-positioned in the appropriate theater and owned and financed by the US , but released to the proper Army component commander for transfer to the supported allied force under the Foreign Assistance Act on a declaration of DEFCON 2, and under existing country memoranda of agreement (MOA). Israel provides facilities for the storage and maintenance of US military material for American or Israeli use in a crisis situation. Up to $300 million worth of dual-use military supplies are prepositioned in Israel.

WRSA is currently an OSD-directed program that ensures US preparedness to assist designated allies in case of war. A Service-funded program, it provides APS stocks to replace combat losses of equipment and repair parts, and ammunition support for combat operations. Policy and guidance is provided in annual Army guidance. The US owns and controls these stocks. Such stocks may be stored under non-US custody only with specific approval of the Secretary of Defense.

Specific equipment densities, a force structure, or a capability for the supported allied Armed Forces are recommended by the US forces, the allied government, and the supporting CINC under OSD or HQDA guidance for inclusion in the WRSA structure. Also included are appropriate data on equipment requirements, on-hand densities, existing APS, projected FMS, and production capabilities. After development, these recommendations are validated annually by HQDA committee. This review process ensures that APS recommendation meets OSD or HQDA guidance. It also ensures that the APS stocks for the program are limited to combat essential items and provide only austere levels of support.