U.S. Military Equipment Prepositioned in Europe - Significant Improvements Made But Some Problems Remain: LCD-78-431a (Paperback)

The Army stores large quantities of equipment in Europe for use in an emergency by troops deployed from the United States by air. The equipment is stored under a concept known as prepositioned equipment configured to unit sets (POMCUS) which means that each U.S.-based unit's equipment is stored as a set at a particular site to which the unit would deploy. This equipment is kept combat ready through long-term storage in controlled-humidity warehouses and through periodic maintenance designed to keep deterioration to a minimum. The Army has made considerable improvement in the management of the POMCUS concept since it began intensifying its effort in January 1977. Although prepositioned equipment shortages have been greatly reduced, some shortages remain. There are also difficulties with updating authorizations of repair parts to reflect the type of equipment stored and the densities of the needed items. Equipment maintenance has improved considerably because of the successful completion of the annual maintenance programs, and more and better controlled-humidity storage facilities have protected the equipment, reducing corrosion problems. Although large maintenance backlogs no longer exist, better maintenance data collection efforts are needed to accurately forecast work force requirements. Accountability of major end items has improved through more frequent physical inventories and a more accurate equipment locator system. Accountability of components and poor inventory record information remain problems.