Deterrence Through Presence: Army Sustainment to U.S. Marine Corps Stand in Forces in the Indo-Pacific

Although the United States maintains a steady defense presence in the region,https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/10/what-is-the-u-s-militarys-role-in-the-indo-pacific-to-take-a-back-seat/”>Indo-Pacific, supporting regional peace, stability, and prosperity for over 75 years, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) continues to expand its malign influence across the region, openly challenging the post-World War II international order. The 2022 National Defense Strategy (NDS) states that the Department of Defense (DoD), will urgently act to maintain and strengthen deterrence. The PRC is our most important strategic competitor and the greatest pacing challenge for us. Further, the NDS states that DoD will work to achieve its goals through There are three main waysIntegrated deterrence, campaigning and actions that create enduring advantages 

To secure the objectives codified in U.S. strategic direction, the United States Marine Corps (USMC), developed a new operating model. As part of the USMC Force Design 2030 program, Concept of Stand-in Forces Provides forward-postured, stable-state forces that operate in contested areas. They are capable of rapidly transitioning from conflict to crisis to competition and back again. Standing-in Forces can be deployed in contested areas to act as the leading edge for a maritime defense deep to disrupt potential adversaries’ plans. SIF Marines will be deployed forward, shoulder-to–shoulder with the U.S. Allies and Partners create asymmetric strategic advantage. 

To fully understand the SIF concept, and to overcome the “tyranny of distance” The Joint Force must devise a sustainment plan to support SIF in Indo-Pacific. For the Joint Force to implement the SIF Concept and achieve integrated deterrence it must have sustainment capabilities that span all Service domains. The Army will also play an integral part in this effort.

Army Stand-in Forces Sustainment

The Army Logistics is and will remain a key component of the Army’s future. Joint operations require foundational work They must be able to support U.S. strategic objectives by being able to mobilize forward and maintain operations that are vital to them. Army sustainers will be able to create positional advantage that allows SIF freedom of movement and extends operational reach into contested environment by cultivating host-nation partnerships, operationalizing unique enable capabilities, and incorporating modernization initiatives.

With over 20 years of sustainment experience in two theaters of war since 2001, the Army’s ability to cultivate host-nation relationships and leverage forward logistics elements will prove instrumental to the SIF concept. Large-scale Army exercises like Pacific Pathways, military-to-military interactions through the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade or Oceania Engagement Teams, encourage greater cooperation with partner countries and provide opportunities to create the necessary connective tissue for logistics capability at the front edge of potential conflict. Authorities and access They are vital to theater opening, theater distribution, as well as theater sustainment in order to build and sustain combat strength. Through the country teams, Army can increase Access to Basing and Overflight to support exercises and identify infrastructure and contracting to sustain Marines ahead in a future conflict.

The Army’s unique capabilities and expertise can help set the theater and sustain SIF in the Indo-Pacific. As logistical demands rise, ships will need to be more efficient. Improved navigation channels To enter and exit ports quickly, safely, and efficiently. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can expand and deepen navigation channels to allow for larger prepositioned stock afloat vessels and commercial vessels. This allows them to deliver more supplies and push sustainment operations closer towards the front line of Marines. Although the U.S. Navy’s fleet is considered the main effort in the Pacific, Army Watercraft It is a transport vessel that has a high speed of movement and can traverse across the littorals, transporting personnel, equipment, supplies and other items to the point of use. Marine formations have critical intra-theater logistic capabilities. However, repositioning the existing fleet and purchasing new Army Watercraft Systems on a large scale can help ease the burden on Naval assets.

As modernization efforts are realized, the Army can use innovation to support SIF. Advanced manufacturing, although still in its infancy in practical application, is a potential game changer. It delivers critical supply components at the point where they are needed while decreasing the demand on the supply chains. Parts can be printed at lower cost and with shorter lead times than traditional manufacturing methods. Second, technology developed through the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) and air-launched effects platforms can deliver Marines and supplies rapidly to remote areas. The Army can conduct research and develop results that will produce tactical hybrid and electric vehicles. This reduces the need to transport fuel over highly vulnerable communication lines while offering stealthier options that are distributed with greater endurance.  

Proposed Recommendations

The Joint Force must create new methods that maximize Army sustainment capabilities in order for the Stand-in Forces idea to become operational. This will allow the Joint Force to quickly deliver lethality and survival to Marines in an extremely contested environment. These recommendations will require a paradigm shift in logistics, using innovative technologies and lessons from past conflicts.

Prepositioned Stocks can be reimagined. Recent GAO report on DoD preposition Stocks recommended “fully implement joint oversight of DoDs prepositioned stock programs, including providing detailed information on how to implement such an oversight approach to synchronize the military services’ preposition stock strategies to avoid fragmentation.” Once adopted, DoD should also harness the lessons learned from Army Preposition Stock–2’s (APS-2) exquisite logistics support to 3^rd Infantry Division was formed at the Russo-Ukraine War’s onset to create a more holistic approach that leverages all Services stock and distribution capabilities. To support SIF Marines in remote climes, a distributed Indo-Pacific force position will require tailored logistics solutions. This includes maximising APS a-float fleets. 

Establish 3D Printing Partnerships within the Region by operationalizing the Joint Manufacturing & Technology Center. Printing critical air and land supply parts will prove integral to increasing the supply chain’s speed and flexibility to fight and win the next war. The ability to print critical components right at the point they are needed reduces logistics risks and speeds up Marines’ operational speed. The JMTC allows DoD to create additive manufacturing partnerships. This allows allies and partner to benefit from the lessons learned and to build a stronger 3D manufacturing industry base.

Flood the Zone With Army Watercraft Systems Army Watercraft Systems are critical to SIF sustainment operations and distribution. In a maritime-dominated theatre. SIF flexibility can be achieved by Army Watercraft Enabling operational reachThe use of Logistics Support vessels and Landing Craft Utility vessels, Landing Craft Mechanized ships, Landing Craft Mechanized vehicles, floating causeways, roll on/roll-off discharge facilities, tugs, and Landing Craft Mechanized boats will allow for greater flexibility, freedom, and endurance. And with the development of the Army’s Maneuver Support Vessel (Light), or MSV(L), the Army will increase payload capability and speed to support tactical units faster while increasing geographical access.

Conclusion

Since the last peer to peer military conflict, warfare has changed in an exponential way. History’s harbingers, such as the Russo-Japanese War of the early 20^Th Century and the more recent Armenian–Azerbaijan Wars provided insight into future conflicts and foreshadowed potentially devastating consequences. As these conflicts demonstrated the utility of modern military planning, the Russo-Ukrainian War is undoubtedly going to reshape how future belligerents will use new concepts and technology. Should the United States consider large-scale troop and equipment movement through a contested area against an technologically advanced enemy feasible, given the exponential advances in warfare characteristics? 

The Marine Corps SIF Concept is an important linchpin for integrated deterrence, and building an indestructible advantage in the Indo-Pacific. Harnessing the Army’s sustainment function will prove integral to the SIF concept, with victory or defeat The line In the Indo-Pacific. It is easy to make a decision. Or you can force the Marines to implement the SIF concept and create logistics infrastructure. “fight to get to the fight” Through the Pacific, with potentially disastrous consequences. 

Joshua Koncar As a Veteran, he serves as a Congressional Link at the Office Chief of Army Reserve. Thiel College undergraduate, he holds advanced degrees from The George Washington University (the U.S.). Naval War College and Liberty University. These views are solely the opinions of the author and do not reflect the views of DoD, its components or other parties. 

Jonathan Bernhardt He is currently the Coast Guard Liaison for the Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Officesssoss (JIFCO), Quantico VA. In 2004 he was commissioned at Officer Candidate School. CDR Bernhardt was a member of the marine safety and security team, as well as in expeditionary port security. He also participated in joint operations and exercises. CDR Bernhardt is a graduate of the University of Mary Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in History. She also has a Master of Public Policy from Delaware and a Masters in National Security & Strategic Studies from Delaware. “With Distinction” From the Naval War College. These views are solely those of the author.

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