ABSTRACT
This chapter is a partial attempt to review and assess that series of events and to provide insight into how credible our rapid deployment capability is in meeting that regional military challenge. USCENTCOM's principal mission is deterrence; its strategy is based on helping friendly nations defend themselves. This is done by formulating appropriate military contingency plans, conducting combined exercises, administering security assistance training programs, encouraging regional cooperation, and providing political and economic support. The significance of the shortfalls in strategic mobility and logistic support can be best understood in the context of the limited access to regional military facilities available to USCINCCENT. Even though there exist formal agreements concluded during early 1980, because of political sensitivities among Gulf leaders there is less contingency planning reliance on the availability of these facilities than there was two or three years ago. This development argues for an even more comprehensive maritime prepositioning program.
