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Uncertainty in the Security Environment Makes Establishment of Large Forward Bases Difficult to Justify; Smaller Low-Footprint Posture Is Preferable

• A planning and decision support tool for future Army forward basing choices needs to include an assessment of the political reliability of the host state to ensure unconstrained use of the base.

The Army Has Many Good Choices for Basing Its Forces in All Regions of the World

• Several specific locations emerged consistently from our analysis as improving responsiveness. Minimal adjustments by upgrading these locations may have substantial impact for robustness of forward presense and ability to respond to crises.
• Choices regarding new bases depend on assessment of trade-offs between the costs associated with upgrading the facilities at proposed locations and the marginal benefits in responsiveness. Given the limited gains in responsiveness, robustness and strengthening defense relationships provide more valid justifications for the infrastructure improvements that might be needed.
• Assessing the utility of forward basing locations for purposes of steady-state security cooperation does not offer clear results akin to those for assessing responsiveness; depending on the scope and size of the effort, it is not a given that basing forces in country — other than rotating training teams — is necessary for the effectiveness of security cooperation.

The U.S. global defense posture — the size, location, types, and capabilities of the U.S. forward-based military forces — is an integral and critical component of the U.S. security strategy, allowing the U.S. military to respond quickly and effectively to threats and contingencies. Forward deployed Army forces and the military infrastructure associated with them play an important role in the ability of Army forces to project power, deter adversaries, and engage with partner forces. As the security environment continues to evolve, the United States needs to assess continuously the applicability of its global defense posture to the emerging needs. This report develops a methodology and a framework for global Army positioning in the context of the global defense posture of the United States. The key element of the framework is the interplay of missions assigned to Army forces, types of bases, and base locations. The report uses the framework to assess U.S. Army forward stationing from a perspective of maximum responsiveness and effectiveness in addressing potential crises and increased security cooperation. The report identifies locations in several states in which either increased or new Army presence may be useful in advancing national security goals. Further action depends on determination of a need for greater robustness, faster responsiveness, or deepening a critical security and defense relationship in a given region. The framework presented in this report could be used by combatant commands for assessing optimal forward presence. The methodology has the potential to be developed further as a decision support tool for DoD's future posture decisions.

• Chapter One

  Introduction

• Chapter Two

  Global Posture: Key Elements

• Chapter Three

  Assessing Utility of Basing Options for Short-Warning Missions

• Chapter Four

  Assessing Utility of Basing Options for Steady State Requirements

• Chapter Five

  Findings and Recommendations

• Appendix A

  Political Reliability and Accessibility Methodology and Findings

• Appendix B

  Force Packages and Potential Base Locations

• Appendix C

  Global Posturing Model