ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the role of seapower in the nuclear age remained fundamentally the same as in previous times – that is, seapower was directed towards utilizing the strategic value of the ocean space. It examines North Atlantic Treaty Organization's efforts to assure adequate sealift for the movement of American forces and their supplies, as well as military supplies for other allied forces, to Europe in the event of mobilization or war with Warsaw Pact forces. Assessments of United States sealift requirements and capabilities generally reflected overall Alliance expectations as to when and how the American reinforcement and resupply effort would come into play. The chapter explores the three considerations, which had implicitly been at work in previous efforts to ensure adequate reinforcement sealift, became more salient with the growing emphasis on a flexible response posture. Creation of the Ready Reserve Force allowed the Military Sealift Command to buy ships from the American flag merchant marine.
