Winter 1997 Napoleon said an army travels on its stomach. Today's corollary is that a modern military force also travels on its spare parts.
Spare parts are just one aspect of logistics.
Getting a firm grasp on nebulous logistical problems is the scholarly focus of research done by Ted Lewis and Jeffery Cochran. Lewis is an Air Force major and recent doctoral graduate from Arizona State University. Cochran is an associate professor of industrial and management systems engineering. He directs ASU's System Simulation Laboratory. With Cochran as mentor, Lewis developed a logistical system model that, when implemented, ensures that the right materiel is at the right place when it is needed most.