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21st Century U.S. Army Pre-Positioned Land (FM 100-17-2)
21st Century US Army PrePositioned Land - FM 100-17-2 Author:Department of Defense This is the latest edition of an important U.S. Army field manual (FM) dealing with the pre-positioning of land operations for the U.S. Army. In Chapter 1, it states: "The land-based Army pre-positioned stocks (APS) allow the early deployment of a heavy brigade in Korea, Europe or Southwest Asia by C+4. These prepositioned sets of equipment... more » are essential to the timely support of the United States (US) national military strategy in the areas of US national interest and treaty obligations. Fixed land based sites store Army pre-positioned sets of combat and combat support (CS)/combat service support (CSS) equipment, Army operational project stocks (such as, chemical defense equipment, cold weather clothing, and petroleum distribution equipment) and war reserve sustainment stocks. Land-based sets can be used to support a theater lodgment to allow the off-load of Army pre-positioned afloat equipment, and can be shipped to support any other theater worldwide. Since the end of the Cold War when the US reduced its forward presence overseas, the centerpiece of US defense strategy has been power projection. Power projection is the ability to rapidly and effectively deploy and sustain US forces in and from multiple, dispersed locations. Complementing overseas presence, power projection strives for unconstrained global reach. Power projection assets are tailored to regional requirements and send a clear signal of US commitment. Being able to project power means being able to act even when we have no permanent presence or infrastructure in the region. If necessary, it means fighting our way into a denied theater or creating and protecting forward operating bases. The ability to assemble and move to, through, and between a variety of environments, often while reconfiguring to meet specific mission requirements, is essential to offsetting an adversary's advantage in mass or geographic proximity. Global power projection provides our national leaders with the options they need to respond to potential crises."« less