Planes, Trains, Automobiles ... and Now Helicopters: Integrating Air Support for Faster Resupply and Distribution.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Planes, Trains, Automobiles ... and Now Helicopters: Integrating Air Support for Faster Resupply and Distribution.
Authors:	Jackson, Mikhail "MJ"
Source:	Military Review. Jan/Feb2026, Vol. 106 Issue 1, p1-8. 8p.
Subjects:	Rotorcraft, Logistics, Delivery of goods, Airplanes, Supply chain management, Air freight, United States. Army
Abstract:	The article focuses on the integration of rotary- and fixed-wing air support into U.S. Army sustainment operations to enhance faster and more effective resupply, particularly in the contested and geographically vast Indo-Pacific theater. It argues that traditional reliance on ground transportation is increasingly insufficient and operationally risky, advocating for a deliberate, doctrinal, organizational, training, materiel, leadership, personnel, and facilities (DOTMLPF) approach to institutionalize air-enabled logistics. Lessons from recent I Corps exercises demonstrated initial underutilization of rotary-wing assets, highlighting the need for embedded aviation coordination elements, improved training on air mission planning, investment in emerging technologies like unmanned aerial vehicles, and leadership education to shift cultural perceptions of aviation as a sustainment enabler. The article concludes that comprehensive integration of air support into sustainment operations will improve agility, operational reach, and mission success across future conflict scenarios. [Extracted from the article]
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Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	The article focuses on the integration of rotary- and fixed-wing air support into U.S. Army sustainment operations to enhance faster and more effective resupply, particularly in the contested and geographically vast Indo-Pacific theater. It argues that traditional reliance on ground transportation is increasingly insufficient and operationally risky, advocating for a deliberate, doctrinal, organizational, training, materiel, leadership, personnel, and facilities (DOTMLPF) approach to institutionalize air-enabled logistics. Lessons from recent I Corps exercises demonstrated initial underutilization of rotary-wing assets, highlighting the need for embedded aviation coordination elements, improved training on air mission planning, investment in emerging technologies like unmanned aerial vehicles, and leadership education to shift cultural perceptions of aviation as a sustainment enabler. The article concludes that comprehensive integration of air support into sustainment operations will improve agility, operational reach, and mission success across future conflict scenarios. [Extracted from the article]
ISSN:	00264148