Download or read book Sustaining the Forces: The Combat Logistics Problem in the 1990s and Beyond written by and published by . This book was released on 1991 with total page 28 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Navy's Combat Logistics Forces (CLF) will be hard pressed to ensure sustainability of forward deployed forces given the reduced CLF shipbuilding schedule and the dispersal of battle groups in a theatre. The current practice of tying the CLF ships to the battle group is questioned. Alternative methods of utilizing logistic ship assets are explored including regional CLF groups, using the CLF to support Army and Air Force deployed forces, and substituting merchant ships for CLF ships. The study concludes that using merchant ships to augment the CLF is cheaper than expanding the CLF but that operational deficiencies arise that may hazard the timely replenishment of the deployed battle group.