Evaluating Possible Airfield Deployment Options Middle East Contingency

In the interests of preserving economic stability, the United States is likely to continue in its role as guardian of global access to energy supplies in the Middle East. Ultimately, however, the success of U.S. strategy in this region will pivot on ready military access to bases and other facilities throughout the area. Yet given the volatility that has long characterized the region together with ongoing military and political changes there, U.S. planners can no longer rely on timely or unconstrained access to such facilities. The United States and its allies thus have a compelling need for a broader range of potential deployment options in the region. Accordingly, this report examines the operational capabilities of commercial and military airfields throughout the Middle East and the Black and Caspian Sea regions. Evaluated in this context were the distance of various airfields from projected missile threats; the effect of such distance on combat sortie rate; the ability of various bases to sustain high-tempo combat operations; and the presence of requisite support infrastructure. The report concludes with recommendations on which bases in these areas best meet the current and anticipated operational requirements of U.S. and coalition forces.O'Malley, William D. is the author of 'Evaluating Possible Airfield Deployment Options Middle East Contingency' with ISBN 9780833029997 and ISBN 0833029991.