Priorities for Modernization: Ensuring a Robust Capability to Halt Invasions

1. Rapid deployment and employment. In addition to maintaining a modestly sized but potent force in the theater on a routine basis, the United States requires assets to ensure that forces essential to the halt campaign can arrive in the theater within days and conduct high tempo operations. Strategic airlift constitutes the backbone of this early deployment capability. It should be supplemented by adequate stocks of prepositioned materiel, particularly high-quality munitions sufficient to sustain operations until either the halt is achieved or materiel begins to arrive by sea.1 Aerial refueling aircraft will be needed in large numbers to assist in the deployment and employment of combat and support aircraft and to increase the capacity and utilization rate of the airlifters.