The PLA at Home and Abroad - Strategic Studies Institute - U.S. Army

in creating a logistics system more geared to joint
military operations using both horizontal and vertical
support links. Common use materials and logistic services
were successfully provided by the joint logistics
departments. Multiple services logistics units were
eliminated, which reduced support redundancy. Duplicate
logistic facilities and services were also eliminated.
Collectively, these changes helped increase
logistics efficiency and achieve higher standards in
materials and services provided. Logistics support
to units also became more responsive as a number of
links within the support system were greatly reduced
allowing for closer support, which rationalized support
distribution and also speeded up logistics operations.
Additionally, significant savings were realized
through a reduction in transportation mileage, and
the consolidation of rear area warehouses used by the
three services. 65
The Jinan MR joint logistics pilot test beginning
in 2004 achieved several positive results, which appear
to have promoted more jointness throughout the
force. First, as the new JLD changed its name from
an MR JLD to MR (War Zone) JLD, the proportion of
personnel serving in the JLD from other services was
increased. MR-based service logistic commands were
eliminated. Service facilities were amalgamated into
joint facilities, including war zone-based warehouses,
hospitals, convalescent homes, material organizations,
and infrastructure that were put under the JLD. 66 The
vast majority of units now fall within several tens of
kilometers of these facilities. 67
Among the other achievements recognized in reform
arising from the Jinan MR pilot joint logistics test
are:
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