As the U.S. military prepares for large-scale combat operations (LSCO) in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) region, the need to deliver joint petroleum over-the-shore (JPOTS) has become a critical requirement, surpassing anything seen since World War II. These capabilities are essential not only in USINDOPACOM but also in the U.S. Northern Command theater for homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities missions. To meet these demands, the joint force must work backward from the point of need for each Service, systematically identifying and addressing capability gaps to build a cohesive petroleum distribution strategy that integrates both land and sea components.
In the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) theater, the Army has already recognized overland petroleum distribution challenges and is developing materiel solutions such as the bulk fuel distribution system, tactical fuel distribution system, and Early Entry Fluid Distribution System (E2FDS) to meet LSCO requirements. However, these solutions, while effective in USEUCOM, are not universally applicable to the unique geography and operational challenges of the USINDOPACOM region.
In USINDOPACOM, distribution gaps are influenced by factors such as road network trafficability, vehicle weight limitations, and civil infrastructure constraints. Additionally, over-the-shore (OTS) petroleum reception and storage pose significant challenges due to the static, highly observable, and targetable nature of large-scale operations. The Navy’s JPOTS family of systems offers a scalable solution that surpasses current Army capabilities and addresses many of these challenges in a more agile and survivable manner.
The USINDOPACOM region’s infrastructure further complicates petroleum distribution. Over-the-pier capability is limited, and the region’s bulk petroleum storage options are insufficient. Constructing new infrastructure would require significant investment in time and resources, while adversaries could easily target existing logistical hubs in Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Singapore. The JPOTS family of systems, when paired with the E2FDS, offers a more resilient solution by enabling less observable and more mobile overland distribution.
In addition, the Air Force’s agile combat employment concept drives the need for bulk petroleum distribution across dispersed locations in USINDOPACOM. The Army, responsible for fulfilling logistics roles per DOD Instruction 4140.25, DOD Management Policy for Energy Commodities and Related Services, must use OTS capabilities efficiently to meet these operational demands. As Service-specific requirements become clearer, the integration of the Navy’s JPOTS systems with Army reception capabilities will be critical to operational success in the region.
U.S. Transportation Command, as the global bulk fuel manager, continues to refine bulk fuel delivery through tabletop exercises, developing concepts like the conveyor belt and arrival zone. These innovations shorten decision timelines for joint petroleum offices, improving fuel distribution from sea to shore. The introduction of smaller vessels and lightering techniques minimizes risk and enhances the availability of petroleum products across the area of operations.
Currently, the Army relies on the USNS Wheeler for OTS petroleum operations. While effective for certain missions, such as supporting northern Australia where the threat of targeting is low, the Wheeler’s capacity and visibility make it vulnerable in contested environments. The JPOTS family of systems offers a broader and more resilient capability for ship-to-shore operations, including submerged petroleum storage, autonomous systems, and increased survivability in high-threat areas.
The four components of the JPOTS family — sea-based petroleum distribution system, low-profile distribution system, amphibious bulk liquid transfer system, and distributed littoral offshore fuel transfer system — allow the U.S. military to manage bulk fuel storage and transfer in USINDOPACOM with greater flexibility and security. These systems provide the ability to conceal, protect, and deliver petroleum in a way that minimizes the risk to personnel and ensures sustained logistical support, even in contested environments.
In summary, integrating the JPOTS family of systems with existing overland capabilities is essential to address the scale and complexity of petroleum distribution in the USINDOPACOM region. Strategic use of these systems will allow the joint force to enhance operational reach, improve survivability, and meet the demands of modern large-scale operations in a contested theater.
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SSG Jeremiah Lee Johnson currently serves as a team leader and blended learning facilitator for the Army’s Petroleum, Water & Energy Department. He enlisted in the Army in 2018 and became a 92F Petroleum Supply Specialist. He previously served in the 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia. He deployed to Iraq with the 226th Composite Supply Company, currently known as Alpha Company, where he served as hazmat NCOIC, safety officer, quality surveillance NCO, and fire warden. He also served as hazmat NCOIC, safety officer, quality surveillance NCO, and section chief for the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He earned the Basic Army Instructor Badge, was an Instructor of the Quarter, Instructor of the Year runner-up, and is a member of the Quartermaster Association’s Order of Saint Martin. He has a bachelor’s degree.
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This article was published in the summer 2026 edition of Army Sustainment Professional Bulletin.
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