What does the term "sustainment" refer to in logistics?

The term "sustainment" in logistics specifically pertains to the provision of support needed to maintain operational capabilities over time. This concept encompasses a wide range of activities focused on ensuring that forces are able to continue their mission effectively, which includes maintenance of equipment, supply chain management, and logistical support to sustain readiness.

Sustainment involves managing resources, such as personnel and materials, to ensure that they remain available and effective throughout the duration of an operation. This is crucial in both military and civilian contexts, as it emphasizes the importance of ongoing support to keep systems functioning and to enable continued performance in various tasks.

The other mentioned activities, such as procuring new resources, distributing goods, or assessing past operations, serve specific purposes within the larger logistics framework but do not capture the essence of sustainment, which is all about maintaining the effectiveness and readiness of operations over the long term.