Operational energy (OE) management is crucial for ensuring the readiness of armed forces in contested logistics environments. This necessitates efficient resource allocation across various branches of the DoD. Currently, limited tracking and forecasting capabilities hinder the ability to allocate resources strategically. A nested approach using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software and hardware integrated with military equipment could address this challenge. This integration would facilitate real-time data collection on fuel demand, capabilities, and burn rates, enabling demand-driven supply management.
Requirements for Data-Driven Decisions for the Next Fight
10 U.S. Code Section 2926, Operational Energy, says the Secretary of Defense “shall ensure the types, availability, and use of operational energy promote the readiness of the armed forces for their military missions in contested logistics environments.” The Secretary of Defense must also staff the ability to ensure OE in a contested logistics environment, i.e., an environment “in which the armed forces engage in conflict with an adversary that presents challenges in all domains and directly targets logistics operations, facilities, and activities in the United States, abroad, or in transit from one location to the other.”
The larger aperture of allocating resources, in this case fuel, in a contested environment is to ensure energy availability to the DoD branches will prove to be vital. Currently, there is no high-level tracking and forecasting to ensure the ability to allocate resources to the centers of gravity at the right time. This would take a nested effort of all branches to use the available COTS software and hardware and integrate them into military equipment. This integration would allow data on fuel demand, fuel capabilities, and the unit’s fuel burn rate to be tracked to ensure supply met demand.
Indo-Pacific Contested Logistics Concerns
Contested logistics in the DoD, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, is a growing concern due to the likelihood of conflict with strategic rivals. In her winter 2024 article in Army Sustainment, “Keys to Contested Logistics in the Indo-Pacific,” MAJ Tanya Leonard writes that the region’s complex geography and contested environment pose significant challenges for the joint force and its partners. The Indo-Pacific contains more than half the world’s population, covers half the Earth’s surface, and includes archipelagos, oceans, and seas. It also hosts near-peer competitors China and Russia. Consequently, it is a top priority theater for the DoD.
Leaders are actively addressing these challenges, as seen in Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth’s focus on logistics at the 2022 Association of the United States Army conference. Wormuth urged the joint logistics enterprise and commercial industry to leverage emerging technologies for enhanced capabilities in the region. Additionally, she tasked Army Material Command with strategic and operational leadership and assigned Army Futures Command to establish a cross-functional team dedicated to contested logistics. Given the expanding military capabilities and influence of near-peer competitors, effectively managing contested logistics will be critical for future operations in the Indo-Pacific.
Vignette on the Rapidity of Resource Usage
During World War II, U.S. forces ran out of fuel, while the Korean and Vietnam wars had logistics that were stretched or challenged in their own myriad ways. In a 100-hour stretch during the Gulf War, the logistical fuel line could not keep up with a further push.
In a personal experience monograph from 1993, LTC Joseph Thomas highlights the persistent issues stemming from inaccurate fuel forecasts during the Gulf War, despite the presence of fuel reserves for temporary sustained operations. He stressed the need for each Service to reassess its forecasting techniques to eliminate the root cause of distribution problems. Overstated fuel forecasts during the conflict underscored the importance of accurate forecasting, necessitating comprehensive training for personnel and strict enforcement of mandatory reporting protocols. To address these challenges, the DoD should develop and enforce a standardized forecasting algorithm across all Services.
Similar challenges were observed during the Thunder Runs to Baghdad in the 2003 invasion. Commanders were compelled to implement a tactical pause starting on March 21, 2003, as the 3rd Infantry Division encircled Najaf. Critical supplies, notably fuel and ammunition, began to dwindle, prompting the division’s 230 fuel tankers to establish refuel points and commence refueling operations under fire.
These issues highlight the critical importance of accurate data for stakeholders and decision makers to safeguard operations. While the supply of energy resources during the Gulf War was not critically jeopardized within the initial 100 hours, logistical constraints became apparent after four days of sustained operations. As evidenced by experiences at combat training centers, units often find themselves in need of unforeseen supplies, such as water, fuel, food, or ammunition, after just one week.
Transportation Command Ascertains Global Bulk Fuel Mission
U.S. Transportation Command has taken over global bulk fuel management and delivery, aiming to improve fuel movement and distribution for the DoD. The goal is to enhance the DoD’s ability to rapidly supply fuel to troops worldwide. This singular entity will be able to execute the Secretary of Defense’s OE management, streamline planning, and create synergies across the spectrum of operations. It is posited that such solutions will be implemented across the DoD, with their priority being over the separate military branches, ensuring resourcing is viable for the full spectrum of military operations for tomorrow’s fight.
SPEARHEAD Project as Test Bed
Strategic, Predictive, and Enhanced Analytics for Readiness (SPEARHEAD) is an origin project to create the benchmark for data-informed decision making and to help enterprise asset distribution. The package of technology will be tested in Valiant Shield 2024 and Balikatan 2025. As a product suite, it is a multicomponent fuel system that integrates data analytics, machine learning models, artificial intelligence, and sensors to predict and monitor fuel operations in a contested logistics environment. The system furnishes a robust logistics pipeline aimed at enhancing efficiency and bolstering readiness through real-time visibility. It strategically coordinates ordering and fuel distribution to optimize force projection and logistical reach. Additionally, it facilitates the strategic placement of fuel and movement of assets, while also streamlining fuel-distribution planning through optimization and automation.
This package is a solution to challenges that include enemy targeting of critical supply chain components and communication networks, disruptions caused by severe natural events, and the logistical difficulties posed by the tyranny of distance. This system is a great broad stroke for the solution to DoD-level problems.
Solutions for Tactical-Level Resourcing
Several COTS solutions exist that can be implemented for resourcing at the tactical level to increase awareness and dissolve the fog of war for leaders. A system such as TacFuels, which was used to monitor fuel farms in Bagram Airfield, is one such solution that could be implemented into the wider array net of systems such as SPEARHEAD.
Systems such as TacFuels that can monitor fuel distribution points with sensors can save several man-hours, thereby reducing the need for manpower and increasing personnel safety, while creating accurate real-time accounting of the fuel. Systems that linked to track fuel usage with vehicles would be a great asset to decision makers, as leaders in combat training centers have seen firsthand.
Conclusion
In summary, data-driven decision making is crucial for optimizing OE management within the military. Implementing a unified approach using COTS solutions and standardized forecasting methodologies can greatly enhance resource allocation and provide decision makers with better common operating pictures. This can be further improved by integrating fuel-process modeling, predictive algorithms, and sensors to automate an actionable operational dashboard. Ultimately, achieving agile resource usage in contested logistical environments is a primary goal for the DoD as an enterprise, and adopting such solutions marks a tangible starting point for addressing this complex problem set.
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CW2 James A. Frye currently serves as the power systems technician officer in charge for 2nd Power Station, Bravo Company, 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power), Fort Liberty, North Carolina. He has also been a construction and facilities engineer technician and has been assigned to 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He received his Project Management Professional and Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt certifications. He is completing a master’s degree in project management.
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This article was published in the winter 2025 issue of Army Sustainment.
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