Why do we need a lighter force for quicker deployment? Our Bradley Fighting Vehicles that were used in Operation Iraqi Freedom were not transported from Fort Stewart and Fort Benning to Kuwait. They were pre-positioned in Kuwait, before the 3rd Infantry Division arrived in theater.
You're correct -- a lot of our equipment
was prepositioned.
But the Army, which for the last several decades has been a "forward deployed" force, is now looking at being a U.S.-based force which will need to focus on "force-projection."
This is a strategy that's been discussed and acquiesced to at the highest levels.