A modern seaplane case for Pacific logistics

Should the United States invest in a new generation of seaplanes for the Pacific?

There is a strong logistics case for a large amphibious transport that can support dispersed islands without fixed runways.

A waterborne transport could move personnel and supplies to islands too small for conventional airfields and could support expeditionary bases whose runway is simply a sheltered stretch of water. Vehicles and stores might remain dispersed ashore while the aircraft arrives only when needed. A Hercules-scale amphibian would be particularly valuable for the Marine Corps' distributed Pacific concept, although the United States currently favors tanking and conventional airfield support.