Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasized the importance of expanding the scope of logistics planning and execution in order to ensure materiel readiness in a contested logistics environment. He stated that the goal is to fight with an unfair advantage by acting like there is a crisis without the crisis, making necessary changes proactively. Brown advocated for the establishment of a globally connected, resilient defense ecosystem through collaborative regional sustainment strategies that leverage the strengths of allies, partners, and the defense industry base. He highlighted the need for an integrated approach and emphasized the importance of communication and collaboration to address new global challenges.
Brown’s interest in logistics was sparked by reading the book, “Freedom’s Forge,” which explores the shift in the defense industrial base during the 1930s. He emphasized the importance of assessing the health of supply chains and building relationships with the commercial sector and defense manufacturing to ensure support and integration during a conflict. The chairman challenged leaders to start with the end in mind when thinking about operational planning, encouraging them to break down barriers and take risks now to minimize problems later. He stressed the importance of bringing allies and partners to the table to better balance capability with capacity and build consistent demands with the defense industrial base.
The Worldwide Logistics Symposium aimed to provide participants with a better understanding of the concerns faced by the nation’s allies and strategic partners in their operational environments. The event focused on the theme of “Resilient Logistics: An Operational Imperative,” highlighting the importance of being able to absorb pain and punishment while maintaining a healthy body through proper nutrition and exercise, much like a boxer preparing for a fight. Steven Morani, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for sustainment, emphasized the critical role of logistics in winning wars and stressed the need for resilience in the face of ongoing conflicts around the world.
During the symposium, defense leaders and industry partners heard from logistics principals from allied nations, who shared insights into the political climate, personnel challenges, budget constraints, and geographical/environmental concerns impacting their warfighting capabilities. Patrick Kelleher moderated a panel for industry association leaders to help bridge the gap between industry and the Department of Defense, with representatives discussing capabilities, concerns, and challenges in doing business with the government. The event highlighted the importance of developing depth, capacity, and capability to execute operational plans while ensuring actionable data to inform decision-making and build quality metrics, addressing challenges faced in previous conflicts and ongoing conflicts today.
