Appendix A
Theater Force Opening Package
MISSIONForce projection requires a TFOP that is rapidly deployable, modularly configured, and designed to open an Army theater CSS infrastructure. The TFOP must have the capability to establish the Army theater distribution system and conduct those operational-level support tasks required to meet ASCC early entry support responsibilities. More specific details on the TFOP are in FM 63-4.
A-1. The TFOP is a modularly configured, early entry, multifunctional support task force comprised of functional CSS and selected CS modules called theater force opening modules (TFOMs). The mission of the TFOP is to deploy early to a force projection theater and establish the physical, resource, communications, and automation networks necessary for an effective and efficient Army theater distribution system. It also conducts the initial reception, staging, and onward movement of Army resources and other resources as designated by the ASCC/ARFOR commander. The mission and major functions of the TFOP are described in subsequent paragraphs. The ASCC/ARFOR commander determines the specific mission, organization, and command and support relationships of early entry support forces in a particular operation. |
CONTINGENCY PLANNING
A-2. Preparation for theater opening begins before the actual deployment of TFOP elements into an area of operations. The TFOP has the capability to conduct home station (power projection platform) contingency planning and interface with appropriate ASCCs and supported/supporting JFCs preparing for TFOP employment. This includes the capability to -
|
COMMAND AND CONTROL
A-3. As directed by the ASCC/ARFOR commander, the TSC deploys a headquarters early entry module (EEM) to establish TFOP command, control, communications, and automation(C3A). It interfaces with tactical, joint, and strategic/national CSS systems and synchronizes Army deployment activities theater-wide. This includes the capability to -
|
THEATER RECEPTION
A-4. TFOP transportation, supply, ordnance and other required TFOMs establish initial ASCC/ARFOR theater APOD, SPOD, and theater staging base reception nodes within the theater. This includes the capability to -
|
THEATER STAGING
A-5. TFOP transportation, supply, Force Provider, engineer (if directed by the ASCC), maintenance, personnel, and medical TFOMs establish and conduct initial ASCC/ARFOR theater staging operations. This includes the capability to -
|
FORCE SUSTAINMENT
A-6. TFOP transportation, supply, engineer (as directed by the ASCC), military police, personnel, maintenance, and medical TFOMs establish theater-level sustainment capability and conduct operational- and tactical-level sustainment operations. This includes the capability to -
|
THEATER ONWARD MOVEMENT
A-7. TFOP transportation, engineer (as directed by the ASCC), and military police TFOMs establish an onward movement and distribution capability through theater support operations and control center elements. This includes the ability to -
|
A-8. As previously indicated, the TFOP is a tailored, early entry, multifunctional support task force comprised of CSS and selected CS modules as identified by the ASCC. A typical TFOP needed during the initial stages of deployment includes transportation, engineer, supply and field service, contracting, ordnance, military police, personnel, finance, and medical modules, as well as any other modules required to meet the mission assigned by the JFC/ASCC. The JFC may also elect to include strategic CSS cells from the AMC, the DLA, and the Military Traffic Management Command (MTMC). A-9. The composition of the TFOP varies throughout the stages of a force projection operation and depends on numerous factors including the type of operation, the nature of the supported ARFOR, the available infrastructure in the theater, availability of contracted support, support provided to and by other Services and allies, and the nature of the threat. TFOP out-sized equipment requiring sealift to force projection theaters is integrated into cargo manifests of current APA vessels. More details on TFOP organization are in FM 63-4. |
TFOP COMMAND AND CONTROL
A-10. The C2 element of the TFOP is the initial EEM that deploys to force projection theaters. It is typically comprised of the TSC headquarters EEM and national strategic-level CSS elements from an AMC logistics support element (LSE), a DLA contingency support team (DCST), and a MTMC port management module as directed by the JFC/ASCC. As directed by the ASCC/ARFOR commander, functional commands also provide C2 of TFOP elements. The technical chains between forward elements of functional commands and their parent commands remain in tact. The same is true of the national strategic-level elements. Relationships between the TSC and functional commands will be discussed in FM 63-4. |
FUNCTIONAL TFOMS
A-11. Under the template, functional mission-oriented TFOMs of the TFOP are typically configured under tailored battalion-level transportation port, terminal, and motor transport; medical; engineer; multi-functional logistics; and other support task forces as directed by the ASCC/ARFOR commander. Other organizations such as elements of an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), civil affairs (CA) teams, NBC companies, military police (MP) company, and a rear operations center may also be included in the TFOP. All these TFOMs perform the operational and tactical functional missions associated with theater opening and initial entry force generation. The actual functional mission-oriented TFOM mix depends on METT-TC and available in-theater infrastructure. The actual transportation port and terminal TFOM mix depends on the specific theater reception infrastructure. Water terminal TFOMs are only required in theaters supported by a SLOC. A-12. The CSS group (typically an ASG) headquarters provides basic command and staff planning, supervision, and life support functions for its subordinate battalions/battalion task forces as directed by the ASCC/ARFOR commander. It also normally provides life support to the TFOP elements. |
NEWSLETTER
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|