EUCOM J-4

SUBJECT: Throughput Assumption for the Movement of Forces into Azerbaijan.

1. Concept of Support: Movement of forces will be via sea line of communication through the
Dardanelles using two ports in the Georgia. Onward movement from the port staging areas will
be via ground convoy to designated Tactical Assembly Areas (TAAs) west of Tbilisi. Where
possible track vehicles will be rail loaded or moved by commercial truck; however, the overall
velocity of the deployment will not be delayed to support rail movement. Final movement from
the TAA to designated battle positions in Azerbaijan will be via ground assault convoy (GAC).
Air movement will be via Tbilisi, Batumi, and Poti International Airports. Unit personnel will be
integrated both in the staging area and at the TAA as required. Air Force unit movement will be
via air directly to deployment airfield whenever possible.
a. Sea Deployment: Based on discussion between the State Department and the Government of
Georgia the US can expect allocation of two berth at the Port of Batumi and one at the Port of
Poti. All other facilities will be reserved for support of the Georgian economy, although Georgia
has agreed to allow coalition forces to use berth not currently required for commercial shipping.
Georgia has so far refused to relax Net Explosive Weight (NEW) restrictions at either Port. The
government has agreed to consider allowing US Force to establish a JLOT location vicinity of
Poti with higher NEW factors. Final site location to be negotiated at a future date.
Commercial stevedores are available at both Batumi and Poti, for lift on lift off operations.
They cannot provide drivers for roll on roll off operations. Driver will have to be provided by the
Port Support Activities. No commercial stevedore support will be available for any proposed
JLOTS site.
b. Air Movement: Georgia has only a limited number of airfields capable of supporting strategic
airlifts (commercial and military). Based on discussion between the State Department and the
Georgian governments the US can expect only a limited number of landing slots at Tbilisi, (7)
Batumi (3) and Poti (4) International Airports per day. For planning considerations assume
adequate capacity to move approximately 5,000 personnel every day utilizing all three
airfields for a sustained period of 60 days. Based on projected allocation of US strategic airlift
for planning purposes assume movement of one Air Force squadron and supporting
elements every 2 days directly to the deployment locations. Assume deployment of one
IBCT every 5 days at Tbilisi. All deployments are assumed to be sequential, not concurrent.
Use of Tbilisi, Batumi, or Poti for deployment of military equipment will reduce throughput
capacity on a one for one basis.
2. Sea Deployment throughput planning factors. These factors are for initial planning only.
Actual times may vary based on the final operational construct.
a. Equipment loaded and ready to sail from CONUS -14 days.
b. Sail time from the US East Coast - 22 days.
c. Sail time from Diego Garcia - 10 days.
 d. Sail time from Guam - 22 days.
e. Time to complete JLOTS site negotiation - 7 days.
f. JLOTs emplacement time once equipment arrives - 5 days.
g. Offload ABCT or SBCT Port of Batumi using two berths - 3 days.
h. Offload IBCT/MEB or Functional Brigade Port of Batumi using two berths - 2 days.
i. Offload ABCT or SBCT Port of Poti using one berths - 5 days.
j. Offload IBCT/MEB or Functional Brigade Port of Poti using one berths - 4 days.
k. Offload ABCT or SBCT JLOTS site - 8 days.
l. Offload IBCT/MEB or Functional Brigade JLOTS site - 6 days.
m. Offload Container Ship Batumi and Poti - 2 day.
n. Offload JLOTS site - 5 day.
o. Cycle time in the staging areas for BCT/MEB or Functional Brigade - 4 days. Includes
integration of personnel and rail load as required.
p. Onward movement via rail to TAA vicinity of Tbilisi - 2 days.
q. Rail offload – 1 days.
r. Onward movement via ground convoy - 1 days
s. Cycle time in the TAA vicinity of Tbilisi - 4 days.
t. Ground assault convoy to Azerbaijan battle position - 3 days.