The major combat operations of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) have been judged from virtually all quarters as a remarkable success, although accompanied by some perceptions that this success was achieved in the face of severe logistics problems. This monograph describes how Army forces were sustained during Operation Iraqi Freedom, examines how well this support performed, and discusses the effects on operations with an emphasis on the period from the start of ground combat to the fall of Baghdad. The findings should be of interest throughout the Army as well as the broader Department of Defense supply chain, deployment planning, and force development communities. The findings have implications for the design of the logistics system, logistics process improvement efforts, future force design and warfighting concepts, and the acquisition of end items such as vehicles as well as logistics enablers such as those that provide logistics situational awareness.

"Prepared for the United States Army"--T.p.

Setting the stage. The debate over materiel sustainment performance -- The success of major combat operations -- Distribution based logistics / Fuel sustainment. Fuel supplies remained relatively robust -- Theater preparatory tasks -- Planning and resourcing refuel operations / Dry cargo sustainment. Dry cargo distribution during combat operations -- A shortfall in trucks -- Supply levels during combat operations -- Spare parts support -- Packaged petroleum, oil, and lubrication products -- Equipment readiness -- Soldier readiness / The pause in the advance at An Najaf / Effects and implications of sustainment performance during OIF. Combat operations -- Stability operations -- Implications for the future / Appendix: truck availability.