Moving Mountains: Lessons in Leadership and Logistics from the Gulf War

Business Week described the Gulf War as "the largest military logistics operation in history." It entailed an unprecedented deployment of troops & supplies halfway around the world-a management job that Norman Schwarzkopf hailed as "an absolute gigantic accomplishment." From Desert Shield to Desert Storm to Desert Farewell, the numbers were staggering: 122 million meals served, 1.3 billion gallons of fuel pumped, 12,575 aircraft processed. Here is a firsthand account of the supply effort that led to the dramatic Allied victory in the Gulf, written by the general who spearheaded the remarkable undertaking. In clear, compelling language, General Pagonis recounts the Gulf War from the first fateful telephone call, to the mobilization of 550,000 troops & the shipment of 7,000,000 tons of supplies, to the enormously complex challenge of bringing home a half-million soldiers & their equipment. Numerous leadership & logistics lessons can be gleaned from his experience. Pagonis describes his battlefield innovations, such as the log cell & Ghostbuster squad, as well as his inspirational leadership style. His highly effective management techniques apply to information flow, time management, motivation, customer service, & organizational design. Using historical examples-from Alexander the Great to Rommel to the Israeli Army-& current business practice, he makes a strong case for better leadership & better logistics, both on the military & in the private sector.