One thing we learned on the TAACOM Staff was that greater modern combat capability equates to an
exponentially (not a simple) greater demand for support of that capability.
Bottom line, under
normal (our term, as if there ever was such a thing) combat conditions, we used to plan for a minimal logistical requirement of a
'critical priority push' to support our capabilities IAW the acronym 35mm:
- Class 3 (POL)
- Class 5 (Armaments)
- Medical (Class 8)
- Maintenance (Class 9)
Beyond that, it was what we can provide when/if available.
It appears to me that, in spite of the distances and difficulties associated with establishing and maintaining an adequate LOC to a theatre like A'stan, we still retain both a capacity and a desire to provide maximum support to our forces far beyond our actual in-theatre combat requirements.
It is also reasonable to consider that even if our in-theatre requirements to support our own forces have diminished, our need to provide similar support for our allies (NATO and host nation) may have actually increased and the demand for providing both a tail and HQ/LNO elements to coordinate/supervise/provide that tail have also increased -
especially when the need to
'out-source' so many of our current logistical requirements is the new norm.
Life at the TAACOM may have been purgatory for us combat arms types who swore we would personally hang any
loggie toad who ever prevented any combat soldier from getting the adequate levels of critical supplies needed for conducting combat operations, but it also gave us an education in just how complicated it is to adequately equip, deploy, and support those who volunteer to man the "tip of the bayonet" in a modern military force like ours.
And so it goes...
Richard
