Military

a. FARP support missions depend on the unit mission, time, ammunition mix, and bulk packaging handling requirements. The unit mission specifies the Class III/V operations of the FARP. The type of unit and its organic aircraft weapon systems define mission Class V requirements. For example, a FARP supporting an attack helicopter unit would require more TOW and Hellfire missiles than a FARP supporting an air cavalry unit. The cavalry mission may require more suppressive ammunition such as the Hydra-70. The Class V requirements of a cargo or utility unit will be limited to small arms ammunition.

b. The planned time of the mission also must be considered when the support mission of the FARP is defined. For example, the AH-64 has an around-the-clock operational capability. Therefore, ordnance loads should be the same despite the time frame of the mission. On the other hand, the AH-1 has a limited night-fighting capability.

c. As the ammunition mix changes to support the mission, so do the FARP's bulk packaging and materiel-handling requirements. Transportation and materiel-handling requirements may exceed the capabilities of equipment and personnel. Transport vehicles may exceed their cargo-carrying capacity (cube out) before exceeding their weight limitations. Table J-3 shows the cargo capacities for various types of vehicles. Ammunition is unloaded using available materiel-handling equipment. This may be the TOE-authorized forklift or the HEMTT-mounted crane. Transporting the variable reach forklift may require a flatbed trailer, an item not readily available to the unit. When either the forklift or the crane is unavailable or unserviceable, ammunition pallets must be manually broken down while on the bed of the transport vehicle. This can be a laborious and time-consuming operation.

a. Resupply operations must keep pace with the tempo of the battle. However, resupply is best accomplished during lulls in combat or when vehicles can be protected from enemy observation and indirect fires. Resupply actions should start as soon as the operation permits. These actions are affected by unit resupply time and capability, current situation, expected usage rates, and/or mission changes.

b. Periodic status reports on bulk POL are processed through the unit S4 and then sent to the division materiel management center to forecast user needs. The request for POL will be submitted 72 hours in advance of the required delivery time. Bulk Class III is provided by elements of the corps petroleum supply battalion in the corps storage area (CSA). An emergency reserve of Class III is maintained at the division main Class III supply point in the division support area (DSA). The corps delivers Class III supplies, using throughput distribution, as far forward as the brigade support area (BSA). However, the supplies may be delivered farther to the combat trains (FARP) in specific situations. The aviation unit will use its vehicles to transport the fuel from the transfer point to the FARP. The Class III transfer points should be located with the division main Class III point and the BSA Class III transfer point. Aviation units in the corps rear area will receive Class III from the CSA transfer point. Two methods are used to distribute Class III: unit distribution and supply point distribution.

c. If demand exceeds the unit's supply capabilities, limited aerial resupply may be available from other division or corps cargo and utility aircraft. During emergencies, the corps may deliver supplies as far forward as the battalion trains area; however, this will require extensive coordination. Figure J-11 shows the flow of Class III supplies.

d. Fuel is tested by the supplying unit. In addition, it also must be tested by the receiving unit. FM 10-68 and FM 10-70 contain the procedures for sampling and testing fuel. Petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL) products should not be transloaded between carriers if it can be avoided.

e. The battalion S4 normally uses DA Form 581 (Request for Issue and Turn-in of Ammunition) to request ammunition. The form is forwarded to the appropriate materiel management center or designated ammunition transfer point (ATP) representative. Once the request has been authenticated, the ammunition is issued by supply point distribution to the battalion or brigade Class III and V platoon trucks. This is accomplished either at the ATP or the corps ammunition supply point (ASP) consistent with the controlled supply rate in effect.

f. Within the division, each forward support battalion can operate one ATP. The corps direct support ammunition company provides an additional ATP, which is located in the DSA. The ATPs normally are located in the BSA. They contain high-tonnage, high-usage ammunition to support all the division units operating in the brigade area. The ammunition is transported to the ATP via throughput distribution from the corps on stake and platform trailers. It is then transferred to the battalion trucks or off-loaded for future transfer. All other ammunition is kept in the ASP in the CSA; this area normally is located directly behind the rear of the division area. Figure J-12 shows the flow of Class V supplies.

a. Two factors determine the amount of fuel required in the FARP. The first is the total number of aircraft to be supported. For planning purposes, 100-percent availability must be assumed. This will provide fuel for unplanned aircraft that may need support. The second and probably the most important factor is the expected duration of the mission. The mission fuel requirement can then be calculated as follows: mission duration x number of aircraft x fuel consumption in gallons per hour (GPH). Table J-4 shows the fuel consumption rates for helicopters that may need fuel in the FARP. SB 710-2 contains more information about fuel consumption rates.

b. The example below shows how to calculate the mission's Class III (JP8) requirement for an attack helicopter battalion. The mission is expected to last 3 hours.

c. Once the fuel requirements have been calculated, the transportation assets needed to move that fuel can be determined. The example in (2) above assumes that the Class III/V platoon of an attack helicopter battalion has seven mission-capable HEMTT tankers, as authorized on the TOE. Because each HEMTT tanker holds 2,500 gallons of fuel, six HEMTT tankers would be required to support the AH-64 battalion.

d. If fuel shortages occur during the mission, the turnaround times to resupply points become a critical planning factor. If supplies are flown in, planning may include support for those CH-47 Chinooks or UH-60 Black Hawks carrying supplies.

a. The battalion S4 is responsible for calculating the amount of ammunition needed for the mission. He bases his figures on the S3's plan and uses FM 101-10-1/1 and FM 101-10-1/2. Table J-5 shows an example of the total Class V requirements needed by an attack helicopter battalion (AH-64A, OH-58D(I), or AH-1F) for 1 day. These figures can be used to calculate how much transportation will be required.

b. The approximate number of vehicles needed to transport the Class V products can be calculated using Table J-3. The example assumes that the Class III/V platoon in an attack helicopter battalion has six mission-capable cargo HEMTTs, as authorized on the TOE. The AH-1 battalion will require seven HEMTTs to support the mission's Class V requirements. Therefore, one HEMTT will have to return to the battalion support area. On the other hand, seven HEMTTs with trailers are required to support the Hellfire needs of the AH-64 battalion. The 30-millimeter (mm) cannon would require one more HEMTT with trailer for a total of eight HEMTTs with trailers. The example illustrates that the Class V requirements exceed the transport capability of the unit and that thorough planning and prior coordination are needed to ensure that the Class V requirements at the FARP are met.

a. Three bottles of argon gas are required for the air-to-air Stinger launcher. The launcher is shown in Figure J-13. Only one bottle of argon is used at one time. Current estimates indicate that one bottle of argon will be consumed every 2 hours in a training environment. In wartime, it is predicted that one bottle will be consumed for every two missiles fired. A 3-day supply of argon must be stored in the basic loads. The bottles must be removed for recharging when-

b. Figure J-14 shows the components necessary to charge an argon bottle. They are briefly described below.

c. Two GCU systems are assigned to the aviation intermediate maintenance (AVIM) company. Empty bottles will be transported to the rear to be recharged. An additional GCU will be located at the ammunition supply point (ASP) or ammunition transfer point (ATP). When the 55B makes an ammunition resupply run, he can get the bottles at the same time and location. Another option is to have a task-organized section from the AVIM company move forward to support the FARP.

a. Planning considerations.

b. Planning options. Several transportation options are available to the commander. They are briefly described below.

a. The flexibility and mobility of today's helicopters provide a quick response capability to support rear operations. An attack unit may be employed on the FLOT; it may suddenly be told to fight at a location 50 to 100 km away. In such situations, aircraft will have to react rapidly. Aircraft may have to return to unit FARPs for initial arming and refueling before supporting the rear battle mission. If time does not permit returning to the battalion FARPs, then Class III and V support must be obtained from other sources such as other unit supply points, ATPs, and ASPs. This assumes that these units have the nozzles to refuel the aircraft and the type of ammunition required.

b. Also, fuel and ammunition may be available from other aviation units located between the FLOT and rear objective. As a last resort, fuel can be obtained from Class III distribution points. Ammunition will be available at corps ASPs and brigade ATPs. The aviation brigade S4 is responsible for identifying and coordinating with friendly elements that can provide Class III/V support to aviation units. However, corps and division units that can provide Class III/V products are likely targets of deep attacks.

a. A nonlinear battlefield may have extremely long supply lines. To ease the Class III/V logistical problems, the FARP may be located and operated out of a fixed base or an airhead and rely on the throughput of assets from higher echelons.

b. Locating the FARP at a fixed base or an airhead will give it more security from the effects of any drastic changes in the battle direction. If a FARP is located outside a fixed base, the distance between it and the BSA and the lack of secure routes may require air assets to accomplish the resupply mission.

a. The division aviation support battalion provides logistical support for the division aviation brigade. The headquarters and supply company is primarily concerned with sustainment operations. This company receives, temporarily stores, and issues bulk Class III. It also establishes and operates Class III (aviation fuel) transload sites in the BSA to resupply brigade operations.

b. In addition, the DASB establishes and operates rear area helicopter refueling sites division rapid refueling point (DRRP) to support aviation brigade units. Using the brigade (or battalion) rapid refueling point (BRRP), the ASB provides fuel to the command aviation and assault aviation companies. Figures J-15 and J-16 show the unit organization of the ASB in support of one or two attack helicopter battalions.