Army Prepositioned Stock and Ready and Agile Logistics Enable Success at DEFENDER 24

By Captain Michael J. Mastrangelo

Article published on: October 1, 2024 in the Fall 2024 Edition of Army Sustainment

Read Time: < 6 mins

West Virginia National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 150th Cavalry Regiment, and contractors from the 405th Army Field Support Brigade’s Coleman Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 worksite in Mannheim, Germany, conduct a joint inventory of APS-2 cavalry regiment equipment set at an APS-2 Equipment Configuration and Hand-off Area at the Libava Training Area in Libava, Czechia, at the start of DEFENDER 24, May 2. (Photo by Cameron Port

Over the last five years, the Army has demonstrated logistics readiness and agility by deploying on short notice to undeveloped locations to protect U.S. interests abroad. While the Army’s ability to respond in crisis remains at the forefront of public perception, there is a growing emphasis on the importance of agile logistics systems, specifically the ability to project combat power anywhere in the world on a shortened timeline.

Army prepositioned stock (APS) provides commanders with the confidence to use prepositioned equipment to conduct wet-gap crossings required in areas such as the Suwalki Gap. The Suwalki Gap is a small area that separates Belarus, a Russian ally, and Kaliningrad. The Suwalki Gap provides a strategic advantage in collective security and deterrence. The geographic position of the countryside referred to as the Suwalki Gap also serves as the borderline between Russia and the Baltic members of NATO.

The DoD retains the ability to mobilize combat power due to the key programs in the strategic mobility triad: airlift, sealift, and APS. APS is arguably the most vital portion of the strategic mobility triad for short-notice response mobility and deployments, especially when assessing the need for capabilities that meet the requirements for operations in the European region.

Prepositioned unit sets are serviced and maintained under the APS program. Army field support brigades (AFSBs) manage the unit sets. Responsibility for specific unit sets is further disseminated to battalions by their modified table of organization and equipment (MTOE). For example, each battalion within an AFSB maintains and issues unit sets aligned with the arriving battalion and company MTOE. Each APS site is given a number to identify the location and theater provided for the combatant command (COCOM) as a capability in warfighting and training mobilization. The program can also sustain the warfighter during the initial phase of contingency operations. These capabilities underscore the National Defense Strategy’s need for resilient and agile logistics in what are becoming heavily contested regions worldwide.

The implementation of wet-gap crossings into NATO exercises, such as DEFENDER, has increased the need for ready equipment used in specific operations. The strategic mobility triad makes the capability of deploying a unit on short notice to conduct a wet-gap crossing possible. Units would find it difficult to bring the equipment required to conduct wet-gap crossings from their home stations.

DEFENDER is a joint training exercise designed as a show of force to test capabilities throughout the European region. A reflection of the positive impact was recently demonstrated by 20th Engineer Battalion’s participation in DEFENDER 24. APS sets allowed the unit to focus on deploying personnel by air movement — the quickest method — and reduced the movement timeline by eliminating the need to bring equipment from home stations.

The 405th AFSB was recognized recently for its ability to maintain engineer and bridging equipment and to move it from storage to an issue site in theater. This allows a deploying unit to arrive and receive ready equipment for an upcoming training exercise. The importance of prepositioning the proper equipment in the correct location was emphasized in the DEFENDER 24 exercise.

As part of DEFENDER 24, the 43rd Multi-Role Bridge Company (MRBC), 20th Engineer Battalion, deployed in mid-April and began drawing prepositioned equipment. The prepositioned unit sets were moved from Belgium to Poland in preparation for DEFENDER 24. 43rd MRBC drew a combination of equipment, primarily focused on Improved Ribbon Bridges (IRBs) and bridge-erection boats. These items of equipment are in the 43rd MRBC’s MTOE but would have presented significant challenges for movement on a deployment timeline. By early May, the 43rd MRBC could emplace a full enclosure of IRBs and build rafts for a wet-gap crossing. The wet-gap crossing was conducted with NATO allies, and over 16 days, they moved more than 400 pieces of equipment belonging to four different NATO allies. The equipment ranged from armored vehicles to artillery. Additionally, they moved personnel swiftly and effectively. The joint crossing and bridging operation demonstrated the Army’s proficiency in conducting complex maneuvers while emphasizing its ability to operate seamlessly in a joint environment with NATO allies.

During DEFENDER 24, APS was put to the test through various training exercises. Overall, agile logistics demonstrated the capabilities of the Army to conduct exercises ranging from joint forcible entries to wet-gap crossings. After arriving in Europe, organizations began drawing from the prepositioned unit sets designed to outfit them for their organic capabilities. DEFENDER 24 proved the ability to project combat power on short notice and to put troops in the right place with the right equipment.

During competition, APS allows the Army to maintain readiness with its primarily continental U.S.-based force. Additionally, it provides COCOM commanders with a baseline of capabilities as combat power is projected into their theater. Agile logistics are crucial in the decision-making process of combatant commanders and Army leadership. Maintaining forward and ready equipment, munitions, and materiel increases the speed and flexibility of the Army during times of cooperation, competition, and conflict, which allows the Army to protect critical assets against future threats.

By strategically positioning vital equipment and supplies, APS ensures that U.S. forces can respond to emerging threats in designated locations. The European region serves as a prime example for analysis. Geographic challenges as significant as the Suwalki Gap prove it is imperative to ensure the correct amount of bridging assets and equipment remain in theater. Prepositioning stocks in strategic locations ensures that Soldiers have the right equipment and materials in the right location to win on the battlefield.

Capabilities that provide combat-ready equipment create an advantageous position for U.S. troops to respond from various locations around the globe. They also enable units designated to serve as immediate response forces to train and prepare for rapid deployment. This allows specialized units to conduct unique operations essential to the designated area of operations. Aligning these prepositioned sets and sites, such as bridging equipment, in the European theater clearly defines the analysis required to employ agile logistics programs successfully. The program bridges the gap between logistical readiness at home stations and establishes a ready theater able to receive large amounts of troops. At its core, APS is a force multiplier, significantly reducing deployment timelines and enhancing deterrence capabilities.