Logistik - en begränsande funktion för manöverkrigföring?

Uppsatsen belyser huruvida logistiken som funktion kan påstås ha varit begränsandeför möjligheterna att tillämpa manöverkrigföring inom ramen för den amerikanskledda koalitionens operation Iraqi Freedom under 2003. Framförallt koncentrerasfrågeställningarna till logistikledning, analys av tjänstegrenar samt materielsystemsstandard och användbarhet. Som grund för den empiriska undersökningen ligger enbeskrivning av den amerikanska logistikmodellen för gemensamma operationer ochmilitärteoretikern Robert R Leonhards tolkning av manöverteorin. Den empiriskadelen omfattas av en fallstudie där operationen Iraqi Freedom diskuteras.This paper is an attempt to find out if the logistic part of Operation “IraqiFreedom-03” has been a limitation to the possibilities of conducting warfightingas the principles of maneuvre warfare prescribe. “Operation IraqiFreedom” is used as a case study to answer the main questions of this paper.The first part of the paper describes the American view of logistics on theoperational and tactical levels. The main focus is to describe the “in-theatrelevel” and is based on doctrines for logistic support of joint operations and fieldmanuals.The theoretical framework of this paper is based on the theory of manoeuvrewarfare and I have chosen to use Robert R Leonhard’s interpretation of thetheory. Leonhard has been used because of his influence on the Americandevelopment of doctrines during the periods after operation “Desert Storm-91”and to the present day. This is concentrated to the second part of this paper.In the third part, which is the case study of Operation “Iraqi Freedom”, Idescribe how the operation was conducted. What were the operationalconditions? How did the used equipment work in the sandy environment? Iwant to give an overview of the occurred limitations and how they affected themaneuvring units.My key findings are that the U.S Armed Forces really are trying to develop alogistical concept that can support the “in-theatre” units. By implementing theprinciples of “Focused logistics” they are close to a very solid solution for thefuture. There are still factors that need to be dealt with, such as old equipmentand supporting systems that have to be replaced or improved in the futureconcept. This still implies limitations to the possibility of fighting withoutconsidering the “logistic tail”. The main problem, however, as is shown in thecase study is the lack of understanding for the logistics, which has been shownby the commanders of the maneuvring units.Avdelning: ALB - Slutet Mag 3 C-uppsHylla: Upps. ChP 02-0