Smaller landing and logistics ships would remain in the Indian Ocean, South Atlantic, and Pacific, allowing the carrier and LHD groups to act as reaction forces. A forward-based ship could handle a limited emergency, support an ally, or establish a regional foothold before a larger formation arrived. Eight Tide-class tankers and four solid-support ships would sustain the fleet across long Pacific distances. The numbers include spare capacity for wartime losses, since a peacetime efficiency calculation could leave too little resilience once ships are damaged or sunk.
Notable Point · 17:15-20:06
Forward-based amphibious shipping and fleet sustainment
Forward-based landing and logistics ships would handle routine regional tasks, leaving carrier and amphibious task groups available as a larger reaction force.