The MOBS is a critical node in a global network of forward bases. 
Its deployment at the Gulf of Oman was initially a deterrent by provid- 
ing the needed military support functions should any contingency arise 
in the Southwest Asia theater. With the onset of organized insurgent 
activity, the U.S. remains party to a long-standing agreement to provide 
military assistance when invited by western-oriented countries of the 
Persian Gulf region including the UAE. 
Aside from the deployed MOBS, the only proximate basing assets 
available to the U.S. are the British Isles in the West and Okinawa in 
the East. Diego Garcia (previously available to the U.S. as part of 
British Indian Ocean Territory) has become the subject of counter-claim 
by India as a regional basing asset for their carriers and nuclear 
submarines. U.S. access to seaports and airports of debarkation 
(SPODS/APODS) for military operations near the Persian Gulf is lacking. 
Should the current insurrection be allowed to prevail, this situ- 
ation will present a threat of major confrontation with Soviet forces 
over control of Persian Gulf oil resources. Early assessments of the 
situation indicate that U.S. forces in a possible joint multi-service 
operation must be prepared for mid-intensity conflict (MIC) of 6 to 18 
months duration to terminate the insurrection. Immediate and visible 
resolution by the U.S. is viewed as critical for pre-empting or deter- 
ring initial movement by Soviet conventional ground forces supporting 
the insurgents. 
MOBS Characteristics (Section 3.2.1): Substantiating the U.S. 
strategy of Discriminate Deterrence in the Persian Gulf region, the MOBS 
represents a capability for credible military response. To facilitate 
this capability, the deployed MOBS is modularly configured as a three- 
deck 9,900- by 1,200-foot airstrip with sizable adjacent areas for the 
several support functions customarily associated with large land bases, 
including two covered lower decks. 
The top deck serves as industrial plant and parking area including 
sufficient runway for accommodating fully loaded C-5B and C-17 heavy 
transport aircraft in take-off and landing. The MOBS platform lower 
decks can readily accommodate prepositioned material and equipment for 
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