LOGISTICS IN ASYMMETRICAL CONFLICTS


the conventional logistics tempo com- mon during war. Medical evacuations are faster, supplies for combat troops need to be provided constantly, and equipment breakdowns are less tol- erated by commanders. Therefore, logistics commanders need to provide fast solutions and be able to sustain forces in every situation.


 Humanitarian aid—In some of the LICs we studied, humanitarian aid was the priority mission, and logistics        aid. An example is Operation Provide Relief in Somalia. During LICs that were not oriented toward humanitar- ian aid, providing supplies and medical treatment to civilians eased the pres- sure for logistics support from combat troops and local political leaders by pre- venting humanitarian catastrophes.


 Use of permanent infrastruc- ture—LICs are usually static and


enable deployed forces to use local infrastructure.


 Use of aerial logistics—Most LICs are executed in an environment in which threats to aircraft are relatively low and there usually is no shortage of aerial platforms for logistics functions such as supply and medical evacua- tions. Therefore, logistics can be much more flexible by using helicopters and airplanes to support operations and bypass enemies threatening logistics routes on the ground.


 Outsourcing—Outsourcing is an old technique used to sustain armies in foreign territory. History records countless examples of outsourcing food supply, transportation, and barracks for troops. Modern war has neglected the use of outsourcing somewhat because of the speed of modern combat, which relies on military convoys and military logistics solutions. The static nature of


LICs and their duration have made out- sourcing a useful and economic way to sustain troops.


 Extensive reliance on information technology — Reliance on information technology and other new technologies is not characteristic of conventional warfare. However, the high demand for accurate, online information for decision makers has made information technology platforms important for logistics in LICs. The United States has used newly adopted technologies, such as radio frequency identification and total asset visibility systems, as strate- gic enablers. The IDF is adopting the new Tzayad Digital Army Program as a main platform to transfer data from the field to headquarters.


IMPACT ON PRINCIPLES OF LOGISTICS


When we examined how the 13


TARGETS OF THE ENEMY


An examination of asymmetrical conflicts found that logistics forces may be caught in the line of fire and targeted by the enemy. Here, Israel transfers hundreds of truckloads’ worth of goods through the Kerem Shalom land crossing in August 2011. Hamas, the largest Palestinian militant Islamist organization, fired dozens of rockets into Israel, putting a million Israelis in the line of fire. (Photo courtesy of Israel Defense Forces.)


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Army AL&T Magazine


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