One reason our military budget is so large is that we have to spend so much just to get our troops and equipment to the fight overseas and sustain them there even before we train and equip one member of our military. We got used to not thinking about that. That's a problem if we don't want isolated troops surrendering in large numbers overseas.
Yeah:
The U.S. military’s reliance on commercial providers for sealift and airlift is not viable should a conflict arise, and the Defense Department is hoping partnerships with allies will improve its sustainment processes, a Pentagon official said Feb. 11.
During peacetime, commercial industry provides the military 90 percent of its sealift and personnel airlift, and about 40 percent of its cargo airlift requirements, said Leigh Method, who is currently performing the duties of principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for sustainment.
We've also gotten used to the luxury of doing maintenance back in the continental United States instead of overseas. But what was a sanctuary in the "end of history" era is no more.
Power with no projection is no power at all. We started addressing the problem. But we have to scale it up significantly.
And the problem gets even worse.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
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NOTE: Photo from the U.S. Army.
