Military

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.

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 -

• Interface/coordinate with the ASCC/ARFOR commander, JFC, and supporting CINC support planners to identify the appropriate TFOM mix required to accomplish theater opening.
• Develop and provide missions, policies, guidance, priorities, and allocations for all TFOP activities/organizations IAW appropriate ASCC/ARFOR commander policies and directives.

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 -

• Provide TFOP survey, liaison, and reconnaissance party (SLRP), APA off-load preparation party (OPP), and advance party elements.
• Exercise control over the theater-level CSS operations directed by the ASCC/ARFOR commander. This includes support to other Services. The headquarters module with assistance from functional command elements refines TFOM requirements and updates the LPT and distribution plan.
• Coordinate theater and strategic-level support requirements.
• Plan physical security for RSO&I nodes.
• Plan, manage, and acquire HN real estate. Manage initial local procurement, contracting, and HNS activities.
• Manage ASCC/ARFOR force generation operations.

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 -

• Establish connectivity with the GTN which allows access into the WPS and Consolidated Aerial Port System (CAPS) essential to the theater reception process. In addition, they establish other theater automated data processing (ADP) systems for force tracking IAW JFC/ASCC guidance.
• Establish and conduct Army or commercial/HNS contract port operations at Army/common-user SPODs. Port operations include beach/port preparation or improvement, cargo discharge, harbor craft services, ship-to-shore cargo movement, movement control, cargo marshaling, documentation, and port clearance.
• Establish and conduct air terminal operations at APODs. Air terminal operations include movement control, cargo transfer, unit/cargo marshaling, cargo documentation, and port clearance.
• Establish/supervise contracts for transition of military port operations to commercial/contract/HNS.

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 -

• Establish and operate initial staging bases using Army Force Provider, contracted, or HNS resources.
• Provide equipment deprocessing and property transfer of pre-positioned unit equipment to assist AMC/USAMMA and unit personnel as required.
• Establish staging areas for APS, transitioning unit personnel, and supplies.
• Establish/supervise contracts for transition of selected military staging area operations to commercial/contract/HNS elements.

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 -

• Establish operational-level supply, services, and soldier support; receive and store APS; and provide personnel accountability for filler, casualty replacements, and transitional personnel.
• Establish tactical-level maintenance, supply, medical, and soldier support to meet DS-level support requirements for the TFOMs.
• Acquire, build, repair, and/or maintain CSS facilities of the initial theater-level infrastructure.
• Provide physical security to TFOP facilities and operations.
• Establish initial ASCC/ARFOR theater-level distribution management capability. Modules estimate theater support requirements.

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 -

• Establish and operate in-theater force/materiel tracking information management systems that interface with strategic/joint/ASCC ITV and TAV ADP systems. TFOMs install, as directed, ITV interrogators at DTs, along LOCs, and at sustainment support nodes. They validate air, sea, rail, and highway deployment rates for the force.
• Establish ASCC/ARFOR movements management activities and conduct initial movement control operations. Modules coordinate port clearance and inland theater movement of forces and materiel stocks.
• Identify MSRs and their capacities.
• Establish and operate the theater distribution infrastructure consistent with the JFC's battlefield framework. They provide transportation (Army, HNS, contract, or commercial) support for port clearance and onward movement of units and materiel to AAs and operational/tactical SSAs.

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.

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.

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.