Page 58 - NAVAL SCIENCE 3 TEXTBOOK

Naval Logistics

World Wars I and II approached in scope what has since been ing sections we will take a brief look at some of tile areas of con-
defined as total war, in which the entire resources of the partici- cern in modern naval logistics.
pant countries are called upon for victory. Such emphasis on logis-
tics made these wars unique in the history of the world. Modern
Logistics Planning
logistics may be said to have begun in World War I, when the
United States was required to support a large American expedi- Were total war to come, the whole national economy would have
tionary force in Europe. to be mobilized efficiently. The U.S. national economy is complex.
World War II was fought thousands of miles from the United The experience of the last century has indicated that logistic prob-
States, with the exception of antisubmarine warfare along the lems of the future probably cannot be solved by plans made hur-
Atlantic seaboard; logistics became the key to victory. In fact, it riedly under stress of war.
took 12 tons of food and equipment to supply each soldier sent Believing that any future war would require total effort and
overseas, and another ton every month to keep him going. place great strain on our economy, Congress incorporated the les-
Today, just as it has since World War II, military planning must sons of World War II into the national security organization. The
consider logistics along with strategy and tactics. Strategy, as dis- National Security Act of 1947 recognizes clearly that responsibil-
cussed earlier in tllis book, is concerned with the general plan for ity for national security is a matter of concern for the entire nation
the employment of the fighting forces. Tactics involves the specific and is not confined to the military forces alone. This act pro-
maneuvers and techniques of fighting-the operational execution vides for a comprehensive U.S. security program integrating poli-
of the strategic plan. Logistics refers to the total process by which cies, procedures, and functions of all elements of the government
the resources of a nation, both material and human, are mobilized related to national security.
and directed toward achieving military goals. Thus, while strategy The secretary of defense advises the president concerning the
provides the scheme for the conduct of military operations, logis- coordination of military, industrial, and civilian mobilization.
tics provides the means. This includes manpower, effective use of natural and industrial
Logistics as it applies to the support of naval ships and the resources for military needs, and the organization of the national
shore establishment is referred to as naval logistics. In the follow- economy for war. Similar to the principles of war (discussed in

A C-2A Greyhound launches from the flight deck of the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) for a logistics mission during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
(Josue Escobosa)

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