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DTIC ADA526236: Operation Watchtower: The Battle for Guadalcanal -- A Foundation for Future USAF Expeditionary Aerospace Force (EAF) Logistics Transformation

An analysis of Operation Watchtower, the battle for Guadalcanal during World War II, provides a valuable template for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to use for the transformation of logistics in an expeditionary environment. Using Operation Watchtower as a template for USAF Logistics Transformation (LT) is relevant for two reasons. First, Operation Watchtower was the first modern day expeditionary operation for the Marines. The USAF is entering new territory and can use the Marine Corps' extensive expeditionary experience during Operation Watchtower as a guide for its own expeditionary operations. Second, the Americans achieved a successful outcome despite long lines of communications because they applied the principles of logistics and integrated warfighting functions more effectively than the Japanese did. Likewise, the USAF must ensure that LT mutually supports the EAF concept of logistics. The principles of logistics and the combination of logistics and the other warfighting functions must be validated against LT attributes to ensure that LT will effectively support USAF expeditionary operations. Although LT initiatives cannot directly impact manpower and equipment shortfalls, LT mu

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