Desert Shield represents the farthest and most rapid buildup of forces to an overseas area of operation in our nation's history. Our U.S. Army logistics systems have been outstanding in meeting the challenges presented by Desert Shield, and numerous lessons have been learned in the process. This brochure provides units deploying to Southwest Asia (SWA) with a description of the current theater combat service support structure at echelons above corps and corps and a discussion of lessons noted in the earlier deployment of units to SWA. It also serves as a source document for key message traffic and reference data containing deployment guidance and logistics information on operating in the SWA environment. Sections include the following: the logistics challenge, support operations (SWA theater), deployment, supply, maintenance, services, and annexes A-I. (Note- Annex G did not include pages G-16/17.)

N18205.12 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.