The Forces Of Logistics, Personnel Services, And Health...

Sustainment is defined by the Army as â€Å"the provision of logistics, personnel services, and health service support necessary to maintain operations until successful mission completion.† The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines sustain as â€Å"to provide what is needed for (something or someone) to exist, continue, etc.; to give support or relief to.† While pondering these definitions, I was led to review the Army Mission as stated in Army Doctrine Publication (ADP) 1. It states â€Å"The mission of the United States Army is to fight and win the Nation’s wars through prompt and sustained land combat, as part of the joint force.† There’s the word sustain(ed) again. The Army Mission goes on to say â€Å"We do this by – organizing, equipping, and training Army†¦show more content†¦One can only â€Å"self-sustain† for so long before requiring support from outside of oneself. This is where sustainment comes in. How do you know what you need? How do you get it? How does it get to you? Am I getting paid what I’m entitled? Will I get mail? Will there be hot chow? Am I going to be able to fill my canteen when it’s empty? These questions shouldn’t be the concern of the Soldier taking the fight to the enemy. His (or her) focus should be on their mission; fighting and winning. This is where our sustainers come in. They are our logisticians, maintainers, transporters, support, personnel, administration, finance, mail clerks, medics, and the list goes on. We in aviation play a significant role in sustainment. We have the unique roles of producer and consumer of sustainment. In the utility/cargo community, our aircraft are often used in support of sustainment operations to move equipment, parts, supplies, personnel, mail, etc. Our Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) aircraft have a sustainment function as their primary role. Aviation is a combat multiplier, this is how we fill the role of a producer. On the flip side, we are one of the major consumers of sustainment operations. It goes without saying that we consume all of the basics of a typical organization, this is not what I’m referring to. I’m referring specifically to flying hours, maintenance, fuel, and ammunition. In a Combat Aviation Brigade, we have an entire Aviation Support