PACAF sets theater with prepositioned materiel

U.S. Pacific Air Forces

The Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) is moving prepositioned materiel into key locations throughout the U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility. This effort, central to the U.S. Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment scheme of maneuver, shifts critical equipment to strategic locations throughout the Pacific to increase survivability while generating combat power.

To date, more than 15 shipments totaling over $140 million in assets have been delivered to the theater, driving a 30% increase in overall operational capability.

“This movement of prepositioned materiel is a deliberate and visible demonstration of our enduring presence in this region,” said Col D. Landon Phillips, PACAF Director of Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection (A4). “We are working to sustain not just our forces, but our Allies and Partners as well. By strategically placing key assets forward, we increase our responsiveness and assure our partners of our commitment to a free and open Pacific.”

The PACAF A4 is leading this effort across multiple locations in the first and second island chains to drive streamlined asset movement, enforce strict control and visibility, and build a robust sustainment system to ensure enduring power projection and regional stability.

“Every piece of equipment we move into the theater reduces our reliance on strategic airlift during a contingency,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Hubler, PACAF A4 chief of staff. “Prepositioning materiel unshackles our warfighters from long logistical chains, allowing them to rapidly disperse, maneuver, and project combat power.”

U.S. Air Force prepositioned materiel consists of six major categories:

• Common Aviation Support Equipment provides aerospace ground equipment such as generators, lifts, aircraft maintenance supplies and parts for initial combat operations.
• Material Handling Equipment is flightline support vehicles such as forklifts, loaders and tow trucks.
• Fuels Support Equipment provides ground and aircraft fuels support such as fuel trucks, external tanks, pumps, hoses and other parts needed to maintain a working flightline.
• Life Support includes Air Rapid Response Kits, which are modular, self-supporting shelters to create forward operating base facilities such as barracks, command and control centers and storage.
• Base Resiliency provides personnel support and infrastructure such as kitchens, hangars, water purification, generators and industrial equipment needed to set up and maintain forward operating sites.
• Emergency comprises fire suppression gear, hazardous material protection, security forces equipment and medical supplies.

“This effort is how we set the theater and build deterrence through readiness,” Hubler said. “By prepositioning these equipment sets, we ensure our Airmen, alongside our Allies and Partners, have the tools to rapidly build, sustain, and defend combat power from an agile and resilient posture.”