Joint Logistics Operations in Afghanistan

With the current wind-down in Afghanistan, the United States must determine how to redeploy and transport personnel, supplies, and equipment in the most feasible fashion.  Given Afghanistan's geographic location, logistics planners face a very challenging situation in moving supplies in and out of the country.  One method to overcome the landlocked country is to move supplies via airlift.  Thus, joint operations occur where the US Army relies heavily on the US Air Force for this process to occur.  The Redistribution Property Assistance Team (RPAT) makes it happen.

For the Army, the 401st Army Field Support Brigade manages supplies to be taken from units and transported elsewhere.  When airlifts are needed, flight line liaison officers (LNOs) coordinate flight arrangements through the Air Force at Bagram Airfield. Thus, the LNO acts as the link between the two Service Branches. "My job is to make sure equipment is loaded with no issues," said CPT David McCormick, the head LNO at Bagram.  "The number one priority is to load equipment safely and securely."

LNOs set the priorities for moving equipment and Air Force personnel draw the loading plans and supervise the loading of the equipment.  The equipment loaded is generally rolling stock -mostly vehicles, or non-rolling stock - usually "kicker boxes."  Most missions involve moving cargo out of or around Afghanistan for redeployment and supporting operations, respectively.  Often times, LNOs operate on very short notice and use "opportune air" when an aircraft has extra space for cargo.  In all, this process is very crucial in the equipment management process in Afghanistan. 

Joint operations are a crucial element of the United States' overall military strategy.  Historically, there are numerous examples where the Air Force and Army coordinated operations.   Although a part of the Army at the time, the Army Air Corps was crucial in supporting ground units in both the Pacific and European Theaters.  Also,  the Army relied heavily on the Air Force not only for air strikes but also transporting personnel, supplies, and equipment during Vietnam.  In Operation Desert Farewell, the concluding phase of the First Gulf War, General William Pagonis successfully redeployed "mountains" of equipment and supplies with the help of the Air Force.  It is clear that the US Armed Forces is familiar with Joint Operations, however, Afghanistan presents a unique challenge in which the US must adapt. 

G-T-S-R is a logistic framework that stands for generate, transport, sustain, and redeploy.  The Redistribution Property Assistance Team addresses the "T" and "R" most directly.  RPAT oversees the transport of supplies and equipment via airlift, and it also serves as a crucial component of redeploying US forces out of Afghanistan.  The RPAT and LNOs are an example of US adaptation and innovation in an increasingly complex operating environment.  Perhaps this can be used as a model for future military logistics in a similar complex scenario.