scope:

Definition and Purpose.

An Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) refers to a legal instrument entered into under the authority of Title 10, US Code (USC), Subtitle A, Part IV, Chapter 138, Subchapter I, Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreements, which authorizes the acquisition and reciprocal provision of logistics support, supplies, or services (LSSS). An ACSA is also sometimes referred to as a Logistics Support Agreement (LSA), Mutual Support Agreements (MSA), or Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA). ACSAs allow for the reimbursable exchange of LSSS between the Armed Forces and military forces of nations or international organizations with which the US has a concluded ACSA. They are used primarily during combined exercises, training, deployments, or unforeseen circumstances or exigencies, including wartime, contingency operations, humanitarian or foreign disaster relief, and peace operations conducted under Chapter VI or VII of the United Nations (UN) Charter, in which there is a need to acquire and/or transfer LSSS.

The Secretary of Defense (SecDef) implements ACSA authorities from 10 USC Section 2341 through DoD Directive 2010.9, Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreements. The Under SecDef for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD AT&L)), IAW DoDD 2010.9, paragraphs 5.1.2 and 5.1.3; designates countries eligible for cross-servicing agreements, authorizes the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) to conclude ACSA agreements, and issues implementing ACSA policy and program management guidance to the military departments. Respective responsibilities of the secretaries of the military departments and the combatant commanders (CCDRs) are found in DoDD 2010.9. The AF implements DoDD 2010.9 with AFPD 25-3.

ACSA is primarily a Combatant Command (CCMD) program. AF MAJCOMs, CMAJCOMs and NGB, or lower level components, will execute ACSA programs IAW an assigned Geographic CCMD or Functional CCMD for AMC and AFSOC.

Units operating in an AOR as a chopped, transient, or deployed force should execute ACSA transactions IAW with the deployed installation's guidance first, and if a program management is not available locally, reach-back to their assigned NAF or MAJCOM for support. For example, an AF unit deployed to Al Udeid AB should execute ACSA transactions using the 379 Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW) ACSA program (AFCENT-USCENTCOM).

An ACSA is not the primary means for obtaining LSSS. It does not replace national responsibilities for planning and acquiring logistics requirements. The intent of an ACSA is to provide commanders with a flexible tool to obtain or provide LSSS when mission needs prevent self-support.

There are other statutory authorities, programs and international agreements that allow US Forces to provide support to foreign forces. Determining which statutory authority is appropriate is scenario dependent. Supporting legal offices and AF Component ACSA managers can provide guidance on alternatives.