Why is "strategic lift" important in sustainment?

Strategic lift is a critical component in sustainment operations because it enables movement over long distances, which is essential for maintaining the flow of supplies, equipment, and personnel to where they are needed most. This capability allows military forces to project power and sustain operations across various theaters of operation, regardless of distance.

When forces are deployed, especially in a global context, they often need to transport large quantities of materiel and personnel to support both immediate combat needs and longer-term operational requirements. Strategic lift encompasses various modes of transportation, such as air, sea, and rail, which play a vital role in ensuring that logistics can support combat readiness and overall mission success.

While other aspects like resource allocation, personnel assignments, and training programs are significant to military operations, they do not encompass the critical logistical aspect of moving resources over long distances, which is the essence of what strategic lift provides in the context of sustainment.