We live in a volatile and uncertain world that continues to change at an accelerated pace. Today’s Army is an agile and complex power projection force ready to support and defend our nation’s interests around the globe and lend support to our communities at home in times of emergency. The Army watercraft community stands ready to provide a flexible and rapid response that can adapt effectively to the changing world now and into the 21st Century. The Army Watercraft Master Plan (AWMP) describes Army watercraft roles and missions, provides an assessment of the fleet, describes watercraft modernization initiatives, addresses Army watercraft preposition requirements and defines current and future requirements and force structure necessary to support Army XXI requirements. ‘Flexible and responsive’ describe the watercraft community’s vision in support of the Army’s force projection role in national defense.

Our watercraft missions are diverse, dynamic and demanding. While strategic sealift delivers over 90 percent of the tonnage required by operating military forces, Army watercraft is the critical link when that tonnage is projected over the shore, through fixed ports not accessible to deep draft vessels, or fixed ports that are not adequate without the use of watercraft. Army watercraft units execute all functions required for successful theater opening, reception, staging, onward movement and integration of the deployed force varying in size from a Heavy Brigade to a Reinforced Corps. Watercraft units play a vital role in projecting and sustaining America’s Army.

The watercraft master plan is based on the requirements derived from the Defense Planning Guidance (DPG), Mobility Requirements Study Bottom Up Review Update (MRS BURU), Army Strategic Mobility Program (ASMP) and forces approved by the Total Army Analysis (TAA) process. The plan also anticipates future changes to the strategy and mission of the military forces. Considering lessons learned from past operations, current initiatives within the DoD, and anticipated future requirements, we have determined the fleet requirements for Army watercraft through the year 2012. The AWMP implements the watercraft vision by ensuring that we have the right resources positioned in the right places to execute the national strategy embodied in the defense planning guidance.

Operational flexibility is achieved through a mix of watercraft and support equipment required to discharge containers, vehicles, ammunition, and other cargo. Army watercraft gives the Joint Commander the capability to utilize existing ports, open degraded ports or operate over an unimproved beach. The watercraft fleet is also designed to support intracoastal and riverine operations. Responsiveness is achieved by propositioning or forward stationing the proper mix of craft needed during the critical early phase of force closure. The AWMP identifies key watercraft systems which provide operational flexibility and responsiveness.

The Transportation Corps has identified a watercraft fleet that will execute the requirements of the ASMP and meet the challenges of the 21st Century. The entire watercraft team, military and civilian, Active and Reserve Component, remain decisively engaged to ensure that the proper mix of equipment and force structure are in place to provide a flexible and responsive fleet, capable of projecting and sustaining America’s forces anywhere in the world, now and into the 21st Century.

Major General, U.S. Army

Chief of Transportation