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1 [1] (December 23, 2022)

handle is hein.crs/govekan0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service nforming the legislitive debate since 1914 0 Updated December 23, 2022 Defense Primer: Department of Defense Pre-Positioned Materiel As part of its global posture, the Department of Defense (DOD) maintains stocks of mission-essential equipment, supplies, and munitions deemed sufficient to attain and sustain strategic objectives in contingency plans. To facilitate rapid deployment of U.S. forces during the initial phases of operations, some of this materiel is pre-positioned at or near points of planned use in specialized facilities (i.e., ashore) and dedicated ships (i.e., afloat). Why does DOD pr-position materiel? Pre-positioned war reserve materiel (PWRM) reduces demand for strategic airlift and sealift assets by locating heavy and bulky materiel closer to the theater of operations. It sustains warfighters while supply lines are established and the industrial base surges production. PWRM may also be used to signal U.S. intentions. Materiel stored overseas may demonstrate commitment to allies and partners or enhance the deterrence of potential adversaries. As stated in the Army Operations Field Manual (FM 3-0), a robust PWRM inventory is essential to providing credible support to partner forces during a crisis. Accordingly, enhanced pre- positioning of equipment, munitions, fuel, and materiel is a core focus of both the European Deterrence Initiative (EDI) and Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI). During Operation Desert Shield in 1990-1991, PWRM enabled the delivery of Marine Corps armored units to the Persian Gulf one month before the arrival of other armored units shipped from the United States, according to the Congressional Budget Office. In 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom, DOD made extensive use of PWRM stored in the Middle East and Europe. Most recently, in 2022 DOD PWRM equipped U.S. forces supporting the NATO Response Force following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The effectiveness of large PWRM stocks, however, also makes them potential priority targets for adversary long- range weapons in conflict scenarios. Responding to such challenges, DOD's Joint Concept for Logistics envisions a comprehensive array of large and small PWRM stocks that can be selectively accessed and quickly shifted between theaters of operations, even in contested environments. Responsibilities and Management The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment establishes and maintains a DOD-wide strategic policy for WRM and PWRM. Combatant Commanders (CCDRs) determine PWRM operational requirements in accordance with strategic guidance; the Joint Staff then reviews and validates these requirements. Each military service (hereafter service) maintains and administers PWRM to satisfy such requirements and meet the needs of CCDRs. The services rely upon the Defense Logistics Agency and contractor support to maintain PWRM, but may seek host nation support for some items. Several sections of Title 10, U.S Code (U.S.C.) govern PWRM, including the following: * 10 U.S.C. §2229. Requires the Secretary of Defense to maintain a strategic policy on pre-positioned materiel and to certify annually that current PWRM meet all operations plans, in both fill and readiness. * 10 U.S.C. §2390. Authorizes sale of PWRM to non- DOD entities during declared international crisis. Requires prompt replenishment of stocks. * 10 U.S.C. §118b. The FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act, as amended, requires DOD to submit a classified report to Congress following publication of a new National Defense Strategy detailing PWRM requirements 5, 10, and 25 years into the future. Funding As with many other military functions for which DOD is both a customer and key supplier, successful management of DOD pre-positioned materiel involves both appropriated funds from Congress and defense working capital funds that purchase and manage inventories to stabilize item supplies and prices. Two defense appropriations primarily fund PWRM: Operations and Maintenance (O&M) and Procurement. Services use O&M funds for both the pre-positioned materiel itself and the necessary expenses required to operate humidity-controlled ashore facilities and ships carrying afloat assets throughout the year. O&M PWRM requirements are categorized as either mobilization or operating forces requirements in DOD budget justifications. Procurement budgets integrate PWRM requirements within agency-wide requirements for a given weapon system. For example, upgrades to a combat vehicle may include procurements sufficient for one Army Prepositioned Stock [APS] brigade along with 4 (non-PWRM) Armor Brigade Combat Teams. The European Deterrence Initiative (EDI) and Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI) budget exhibits summarize relevant DOD PWRM activities. For FY2023, EDI's enhanced prepositioning line of effort requests over $687 million for O&M and $586 million for Procurement. Selected PWRM Programs Army Pre-Positioned Stocks (APS) The Army considers APS materiel a cornerstone of the Army's ability to rapidly project power. Army Materiel Command (AMC) manages APS, while Army Sustainment Command and other AMC subordinate commands maintain the stocks through regional Army Field Support Brigades and Battalions (See Figure 1). APS contain several categories of materiel: