Modeling ordnance movements into the Asian Pacific Theater

Abstract

This thesis explores the capabilities of ordnance movements into the Asian Pacific Theater. Through simulation, logistics modeling, and data analysis, this thesis identifies critical factors and capabilities that are important to the effective movement of ordnance by combat logistics ships through Guam during a military contingency. The experimental design incorporates the effects of competing requirements on the ordnance resupply process in Guam. The objective is to facilitate an evaluation of systems, identify possible improvements to fully exploit capabilities, and gain insights into the process methodology. Results indicate that the inclusion of competing requirements to the system degrades both Auxiliary Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ship (T-AKE) service level and the overall throughput of the system by nearly 25%. Analysis of critical factors contributing to this degradation indicates that the T-AKE arrival cycle is the largest contributing factor to the system's effectiveness. The results also indicate that competition is a contributor to the effects on the system, but is never the most influential aspect, and the decision of where to process ordnance is significant for the best-performing scenarios in the experiments. Lastly, the analysis clearly shows that improving the system's performance is not dependent on the distance of ordnance storage facilities from the wharf.