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CHAPTER 1

OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW

Section I. Army Force Projection

1-1. INTRODUCTION. The world situation is ever changing. One factor that has not changed is the need, in support of US national interests, to deploy military forces to overseas locations on a routine basis and for a variety of contingency requirements. This chapter provides a brief summary of the requirements for force deployments in response to situations requiring a concentration of military capabilities outside the continental United States.

1-2. GENERAL SITUATION. The political-military situation changed significantly with the end of the Cold War and the former Warsaw Pact. Regional threats still continue to challenge peace and stability. The increase in worldwide terrorist activity also contributes to this instability. The world economic situation is highly volatile, with competition for markets and diminishing natural resources being major factors. Many nations are undergoing major internal changes and many ethnic conflicts. Traditional rivalries are re-emerging. Newly independent countries are experiencing the trauma of accepting new responsibilities in the international community. Disasters, both natural and man-made, have placed demands on the international community for assistance. Responses to regional contingencies are more frequently conducted in a multinational context, in coordination with international organizations such as the UN and its agencies.

1-3. RECENT OPERATIONS. Table 1-1, provides a partial list of past contingency missions which have involved the deployment of US forces. This list could be expanded by more than 100 entries by including all contingency operations in CONUS and overseas areas. Four of the most significant operations of recent years were:

The following is a list of a wide and growing variety of missions for military forces in the category of support or stability operations.

The reasons for the proliferation of support or stability operations show the shift in polarity resulting from the end of the Warsaw Pact. These types of operations were ongoing throughout the Cold War. The military is being used to respond to more of these type operations. It appears that the requirements for the types of operations that involve humanitarian, disaster relief, and peace operations are in fact increasing.

Table 1-1. Past Contingencies Involving the Deployment of US Forces

1-4. FORCE PROJECTION. The employment of military ground forces and combat power decides the outcome of campaigns and operations. The success of these forces often depends on sound, timely deployment and sustainment support. A well-defined, integrated, transportation system is important to the success of these operations. Movement control is one of the most critical components of a transportation system. It is also the linchpin for all transportation actions in a theater of operations. Movement control contributes significantly toward the success or failure of any operation. Effective movement control of forces, units, or logistics enhances combat effectiveness. Inadequate control results in waste, reduced efficiency, and loss of potential combat power.

Current US military strategy rests on the twin concepts of forward presence and power projection to facilitate the accomplishment of military objectives in pursuit of US policy. Complementing overseas presence, power projection is the ability of the US to apply all the necessary elements of national power (military, economic, diplomatic, and informational) at the place and time necessary to achieve national security objectives. Credible power projection requires the capability to rapidly deploy sufficient military forces to terminate conflicts on terms favorable to the US and its allies. Effective and demonstrated power projection capability can deter potential adversaries, demonstrate US resolve, and if necessary, enable successful military operations anywhere in the world.

The military element of power projection is force projection (Figure 1-1). Force projection is the demonstrated ability to alert, mobilize, and deploy rapidly in order to operate effectively anywhere in the world. The US Army is the nation's strategic land force and the strategic core of US forces for joint or multinational operations. The Army is required to be ready for global force projection with a mix of heavy, light, and special operations forces, with appropriate levels of combat support and combat service support. The Army must be capable of executing a wide range of missions spanning the spectrum of military operations from humanitarian support to major theater wars.

Section II. Strategic Mobility

1-5. MOBILITY REQUIREMENTS STUDY BOTTOM UP REVIEW UPDATE. To make power projection and force projection a reality, the Army developed force closure timelines as part of the Mobility Requirements Study to maximize strategic transportation and materiel assets. The Army's Mobility Requirements Study specifies that the US must be able to rapidly deploy 5 1/3 divisions and its associated corps support, 8,700 nautical miles, from fort to foxhole, within a 75-day period, meeting the following timelines (see also Figure 1-2):

• A light or airborne brigade-size force arrives in theater by C+4, with the remainder of the division to close not later than C+12.
• An afloat heavy combat brigade closes in the theater and is ready to fight by C+15.
• By C+30, two heavy divisions sealifted from CONUS close in the theater. These divisions can be a mix of armor, mechanized, or air assault as determined by the supported CINC.
• The remaining two divisions and a corps support command arrive in the theater by C+75.

Figure 1-1. Force Projection Process

Figure 1-2. Mobility Requirements Study Required Force Closure

1-6. THE STRATEGIC MOBILITY TRIAD. Power projection is essential for accomplishing our national military objectives. It also requires the foundation of strategic mobility in order for it to be credible. Strategic mobility is the ability to rapidly deploy troops and equipment anywhere in the world to protect US interests. Strategic mobility relies on the following components known as the strategic mobility triad (see also Figure 1-3).

• APS strategically placed on land and sea.
• A substantial sealift capability to move heavy equipment and bulk sustainment supplies where needed.
• Adequate airlift to project troops and essential equipment quickly.

An infrastructure capable of transporting personnel and equipment to ports of embarkation is critical to meet a combatant commander's required timelines.

Figure 1-3. Strategic Mobility Triad