The Challenges Faced by Military, Naval Support Transportation and Flow of Support During the Past Wars.
Lack of Navel Vessels that were Fast
The Navy is a key branch of the military. This arm of the military specializes in water combat, and it is essential for all nations across the globe to have a well trained and equipped naval force. This is because it serves to compliment the efforts of all the other branches of the military (Creveld 2004, p. 12). In fact, a well equipped naval force facilitates the putting up of a formidable fight when the need arises. Over the years, countries have engaged in a broad range of naval warfare. As a result, nations have sought to enhance the various ways, which they use to carry out various aspects of the naval warfare so as to improve on their proficiency.
In the past, such as before the world wars, militaries used to rely on dhows and ships that were not engine propelled during naval warfare. These are attributes that brought about negative implications on the proficiency of this military unit. This is largely because of the impossibilities to respond to an attack within a comparatively short duration. Transportation serves as one of the key elements of naval warfare (Creveld 2004, p. 12). This is because this type of war is usually fought in the water and it requires the development of special equipment as well as training so as facilitate the fruition of a comparatively high degree of proficiency when engaging in this form of warfare. Speed is a crucial aspect with regard to military transportation.
In the contemporary universe, militaries have sought to eradicate these problems. This is mainly because the modern universe is considered to be fast paced. This necessitate that militaries should be capable of responding and countering attacks within the shortest time possible. As a result, contemporary naval systems have developed a broad range of naval vessels that can be used during naval warfare (Hester 2009, p. 62). Such vessels are usually considered as weapon. As a result, nations strive to safeguard them because they serve as both a symbol of preparedness as well as national pride. All of the modern naval vessels are powered by engines. This facilitates militaries to transport their troops, materials, and equipment within a reasonable short period.
Lack of Capacity to Transport Large Volumes of Materials, Equipment, and Troops
In the past, the nature of naval vessels that were employed for purposes of transportation did not have the capacity to facilitate the transportation of large volumes of materials and equipment, as well as troops. As a result, naval warfare was sought of incapacitated based on the lack of sufficient warfare resources. This is because there were battles that demanded the presence of large troops, but this is an objective that could not be realized. This was simply because the military did not have enough naval vessels to transport the troops or it lacks a sufficient population of personnel (Kane 2001, p. 42). There were also numerous occurrences whereby navies lost wars or battle primarily because they could not transport the necessary equipments or they count not transport such equipment on time. These were shortcomings that are mainly attributed to the lack of well equipped naval forces.
In the contemporary globe, most of the powerful navies have addressed such shortcomings through the development of naval academies. These academies provide specialized training for persons that are willing to serve in the navy. Through the development of such academies militaries strive to ensure that they will always have adequate personnel (Kane 2001, p. 42). In addition, some of the individuals who are trained in such institutions take part in the development of high technology, naval vessels that facilitate the transportation of large volumes of equipment and troops.
Lack of Proper Logistics Coordination
In the past, the navy did not carry out their logistics in a coordinated manner. This provided room for inefficiencies within this arm of the military. The formulation of a highly coordinated logistics system for the navy serves as both a powerful instrument for offense and defence (Creveld 2004, p. 82). This is largely because through the development a highly coordinated logistics system the navy manages to reduce its inefficiency.
In modern naval warfare, navies have embraced the development of the highly coordinated logistics system (Joint Publication 4-0 2013, p 38). Through the development of such systems, navies have been extremely powerful. This is because such logistics systems have facilitated the navy to become a major player in wars that are also being carried out on land and air. When a war or battle is taking place on air and/or land, the navy can provide support. This is because modern naval vessels have landing decks as well as they can be used as portable bases where troops can group and reorganize themselves. These are all attributes that have served to revolutionize the manner in which naval warfare is carried out.
Modern Wars and its Impact on Naval Support Transportation Operations
Contemporary wars are considered to be highly intricate. This is based on the nature of modern technologies that are prevalent within the globe. The prevalence of such technologies complicates the manner in which the navy is supposed to carry out its operations. This is because some of the modern warfare dictates that the war or battle should be coordinated in proximity. As a result, the adoption of technology by navies is essential in enhancing their success with regard to naval support transport operations. A naval vessel such as a fighter ship can serve as secret base (Kennedy, 2013, p. 18). This is primarily because some of these ships are designed in a manner that facilitates it to remain invisible. This implies that they cannot be identified by the radar. This is a technology that allows naval vessels to transport troops to reinforce the armies on the ground without the knowledge of the other party.
Modern wars have also necessitated the navy personnel to be extremely proficient in matters that are even beyond the conventional naval warfare. For instance, there are various pilots who are under the navy. Their function is to fly the various fighter jets and helicopters that are found on the warships. These pilots, as well as drivers, facilitate the successful transporting of equipments and troops to the intended destination in a manner that is more efficient than ever before (Creveld 2004, p. 27). This is because the navy coordinates such strategies on its own without necessary liaising with the other branches. This is an attribute that enhances the effectiveness of the navy with regard to warfare. In the past, there were various delays in transportation due to relying on other branches for the purposes of carrying out this task.
The impact of Modern Wars on Support Flow
Modern wars have completely revolutionized the support flow. In the contemporary wars, militaries embark on high coordinated warfare. This form of warfare is usually comprised of various branches of the military. As a result, it is rare to find that the navy, air force or marines are working in isolation. The modern support flow is formulated in a manner that facilitates the incorporation of all the relevant branches of the military in a war (Hester, 2009, p. 63). This is largely because if well coordinated these branches can function in a manner that facilitates the putting up of a formidable force. This because it facilitates the war against the enemy from all possible angles, namely; land, sea and air. As a result, it is extremely likely for such a military to win such a battle.
Modern wars have also led to the development of a cross function support flow. This is a type of support flow this is comprised of components that perform unique tasks that are highly related. All these tasks can be accomplished independently, but they are developed and formulated in a way that enhances the realization of the primary objective. For instance, the SEALS are a branch of the military that is constituted of highly specialized personnel on intricate warfare (Kane, 2001, p. 53). Their work entails the carrying out of tasks that require a relatively high degree of precision, as well as anonymity. As a result, the navy might carry out the reconnaissance survey on behalf of such a unit. Thereafter, they may engage such a unit so as to realize the intended objective in the manner that is required.
The Role of Joint Logistics Support Command to Overcome the Challenges Faced by the Naval Support Transportation and Support Flow in Modern Wars.
The joint logistics support command is one of the most effective ways of managing naval transportation. This is because; through the utilization of this support armies can agree on sharing equipments. This is an attribute that can be extremely beneficial in warfare because there are certain armies that are considered strong in certain aspects of which another is weak (Kennedy, 2013, p. 74). On the other hand, the converse also holds. Through the utilization of joint logistics support, different armies can agree to work together to facilitate the fruition of a common intent. For instance, members states of the NATO usually choose to share resources whenever they are embarking on a common mission. This facilitates the effective coordination of logistics, serving as a lethal offensive as well as a defensive weapon.
The utilization of joint logistics support command facilitates the formulation of a highly proficient logistics system. This is primarily because all the various commanders of different branches of the military provide their input with regards to the key issues that need to be addressed (Hester, 2009, p. 45). It provides room for the designers of the logistics system to gain a holistic view of the various facets of the military logistics. It is extremely essential for militaries to ensure that they have developed the most effective logistics systems. This is because the nature of logistics systems that they employ during warfare will have direct repercussions on the success of the military.
Reference List
Creveld, M. v. (2004). Supplying War: Logistics from Wallenstein to Patton. New York: Cambridge University.
Hester, J. S. (2009). A Technique for Determining Viable Military Logistics Support Alternatives. New York: Georgia Institute of Technology.
Joint Publication 4-0. (2013). Joint Logistics. Washington: Joint Publication.
Kane, T. (2001). Military Logistics and Strategic Performance. New York: Routledge.
Kennedy, D. (2013). The Modern American Military. New York: Oxford.
