The U.S. Army is making significant revisions to its worldwide distribution of forward-deployed equipment, known as preposition stock, due to considerations of its utility and cost. Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, the acting commander of Army Materiel Command, shared these insights in an interview with Defense News, highlighting that changes to the Army Prepositioned Stock (APS) program are forthcoming.
During the discussion, Mohan emphasized the purpose of the APS initiative: to stage weapons, vehicles, equipment, and supplies at critical global points for rapid response during crises. He noted a recent trend where the Army has shifted its perspective on APS from a last-resort option to a regularly utilized resource for major training exercises.
Mohan pointed out the necessity for the APS system to adapt to “new strategic realities,” especially as the Pentagon places increased emphasis on the Indo-Pacific theater. He stated that the changes being proposed are currently undergoing validation in collaboration with combatant commands and the Joint Staff, with final approval expected from the Secretary of Defense.
In addition, Maj. Gen. Gavin Gardner, commander of the Army’s 8th Theater Sustainment Command, stressed the importance of improving logistics in the Indo-Pacific region. This includes analyzing the distribution of supplies and considering forward stocking to enhance operational flexibility and sustainment options as distances from the continental U.S. to the Pacific are challenging.
The Army is also planning to transition away from using prepositioned stocks on ships, known as APS afloat. Instead, they are relocating equipment to strategic land sites in the Pacific, including South Korea, the Philippines, and Australia. This approach aims to streamline troop deployment and improve response times to various crises, from humanitarian efforts to military actions.
Furthermore, there is an ongoing assessment of the Total Army Power Projection Equipment Sets with a focus on maintaining equipment in place for quicker deployment, especially for units located west of the International Date Line. This strategy not only enables faster response but also reduces transportation costs and enhances overall deterrence capability.
Mohan noted that the upcoming National Defense Strategy will guide these decisions, ensuring alignment with broader strategic goals, particularly within the context of land-basing in the Indo-Pacific. However, positioning Army stocks in this region presents unique challenges compared to Europe due to the absence of a strong alliance framework like NATO and the complexity of bilateral relationships.
In Europe, significant investments in APS infrastructure have been made, particularly highlighted by advanced facilities in Poland built to NATO specifications, which serve as a model for deterrence against Russia. Mohan conveyed the difficulty of establishing a similar cohesive structure in the Indo-Pacific, where diplomacy varies significantly from nation to nation.
Despite these challenges, Mohan concluded by stating the Army’s commitment to establishing a sustainable presence in the Indo-Pacific, acknowledging that navigating this landscape has historically proven to be complex for several presidential administrations.
