US Military Faces Logistics Challenges in Pacific

The US military says it's ready to 'fight tonight' in the Pacific, but sustaining that fight is a major challenge. The vast distances between the US and its allies in the region make it difficult to maintain supply lines. US Forces Korea commander Gen. Xavier Brunson noted that 'we cannot win if our supply lines are 5,000 miles long.' The US Army is working to pre-position equipment and build joint interior lines to overcome these challenges. Maj. Gen. Gavin Gardner, commander of the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, said the Army has been prepositioning equipment in Australia and other locations. The military is also working to improve its ability to repair equipment in the region, rather than sending it back to the US for repair. This includes expanding contracts with local companies and building partnerships with allies to improve logistics capabilities.