Military

Army forces that draw pre-positioned equipment and stocks usually are conventional TOE organizations with standard Army command relationships (brigade, division, corps). APL operations are significant in that soldiers deploy to distant locations without packing, loading, and shipping the vast majority of their equipment. Soldiers are airlifted to a distant location, draw equipment from pre-positioned stocks, and move to staging bases and TAAs. As these organizations depart their home stations, the normal parent command relationships change. The changes start as the deploying force, embarked aboard aircraft under the command and control of USTRANSCOM, becomes airborne.

During peacetime, units that may draw APL stocks are under the command of their parent organization at home installation, base, camp, or station. AMC is the executive agent for APL operations less Class VIII. It delegates management responsibilities of APL materiel to the AWRSPTCMD. USAMMA manages Class VIII. As the deploying unit arrives in the area of operation, draws pre-positioned stocks, and moves to staging bases and TAAs, parent command relationships change. Responsibility for materiel transfers from AWRSPTCMD/USAMMA to the drawing unit. Administrative control (ADCON) of the unit transfers from the parent organization to the ASCC of the combatant CINC upon entry into the combatant CINC's AOR.

At the onset of an operation, the initiating directive specifies the command relationships in various phases of operations. The ASCC - the senior Army operational-level commander assigned to the unified command - is responsible for planning APL operations.

During preparation for APL operations, the ASCC or ARFOR commander commands and supports all Army forces in the deploying APL force. When the deploying force completes its move to the TAA, operational control (OPCON) of the brigade transfers to either an ARFOR commander, joint task force (JTF) commander, or multinational force commander for subsequent operations.

Numerous authorities, commands, and agencies are involved in APL operations. These offices and the critical activities performed in support of APL operations are specified below.

The CJCS serves as the principal military advisor to the NCA, providing comments and recommendations regarding military options and forces available, to include the employment of APL. The CJCS:

• Coordinates with HQDA for release of APL stocks.
• Forwards appropriate orders to unified commanders in accordance with JOPES.
• Recommends to NCA interdepartmental linkages between operational forces and support agencies.
• Recommends to NCA activation of reserve component (RC) elements as required.
• Supervises inter-unified command coordination.

Combatant commands plan for and engage in military operations. A combatant command consists of two or more military Service forces with broad continuing missions.

CINCs of combatant commands have overall responsibility to plan deployment and employment of forces in their theaters. To reduce duplication of effort and to ensure clear understanding of what is required and what each is contributing to the operation, communication between appropriate supported/supporting CINCs involved in an APL operation is essential.

The CINC in whose theater the operation occurs is responsible for planning and conducting the operation. He--

• Develops COAs and makes recommendations, to include the use of APL equipment.
• Executes NCA orders.
• Issues specific rules of engagement (ROE) within his AO based on NCA guidance and directives.
• Exercises combatant command (COCOM) of assigned and attached forces within the theater.
• Ensures security within the theater, to include NBC and theater missile defense.
• Coordinates with supporting CINCs, supporting agencies, and commands.
• Coordinates intelligence collection requirements, processes intelligence information, and disseminates intelligence information to the subordinate commanders.
• Provides security and logistics to deploying forces to include arranging for transportation of equipment.
• Designates in broad terms, the area in which APL marshaling and staging will occur.
• Coordinates life support for deploying forces.

The supporting CINCs provide personnel, equipment, supplies, and services to the supported CINC. They--

• Provide input to the supported CINC regarding options.
• Issue specific ROE within their assigned AOs.
• Provide forces to the supported CINC as directed.
• Coordinate allocation of strategic lift resources with the supported CINC.
• Assist, as required, in the development of COAs that require APL equipment and supporting airlift elements and report to the supported CINC the readiness and configuration of supporting units and equipment.
• Provide security and logistics to deploying forces to include arranging for transportation of equipment.
• Provide for exchange and support of liaison linkages with the supported CINC.

At the direction of the supported or supporting CINC, the ASCC performs the following tasks that should be coordinated with appropriate level commands:

• Provide recommendations to the unified commander on proper employment of forces to accomplish an APL mission across the range of military operations.
• Designate and deploy the type forces required to support APL operations.
• Promulgate disposition instructions for forces upon completion of APL operations.
• Coordinate requirements for collection of intelligence, process intelligence information, and disseminate intelligence to designated supported and supporting commanders.
• Identify all requirements for supporting elements for the APL brigade.
• Identify training requirements to prepare the unit for conducting joint missions. See Appendix F for training and exercise considerations.
• Identify senior supporting logistics command and planning responsibilities to support APL operations.
• Conduct joint/interagency liaison to support APL operations.
• Prepare forces for APL operations.
• Assign missions to subordinate forces.
• Provide life support to deploying forces.
• Coordinate planning efforts IAW priorities and guidance established by higher authority.
• Provide deployment support, as required.
• Provide security for deploying forces as directed by the supported CINC.
• Comply with and enforce all HQDA policies regarding recovery, accountability, and disposition of remain behind equipment (RBE).
• Exercise ADCON over deploying forces.

When an Army corps or division deploys, the corps/division commander performs the following tasks at the direction of the ASCC or ARFOR commander:

• Identify additional support requirements to higher authority.
• Identify training requirements.
• Task organize forces for APL operations.
• Plan for and support - and possibly execute - APL exercises and operations.
• Liaise with the LSE, AWRSPTCMD, USAMMA, USTRANSCOM, and other supporting commands and agencies as directed.
• Assign forces to APL operation.
• Coordinate the deployment of forces and sustainment provided by external commands and agencies in support of the APL force.
• Evaluate existing plans to determine if they can serve as a base point and identify units available for deployment tasking.
• Assist the CINC in analyzing time-phased deployment plans for use in COA development.
• Direct or support TPFDD development, to include time-phasing and prioritizing of forces and sustainment assets.
• Determine preliminary quantities of basic prescribed loads and accompanying supplies, including identifying TAT and NAP, and initiate preparations for receiving APL materiel.

The deploying unit commander's responsibilities are to--

• Plan, train, execute, and support APL operations as directed, to include turn-in of APL materiel.
• Liaise with AWRSPTCMD and USAMMA site personnel, USTRANSCOM, and other supporting commands as directed.
• Review the CINC's proposed COA, commander's estimate, concept of operations, and deployment/employment plan.
• Coordinate for, or provide liaison to, external commands and agencies as required.
• Respond to increased reporting requirements.
• Respond to higher headquarters' direction to formulate plans, to organize tasks, and to establish or revise the deployment database.
• Assist the CINC in analyzing time-phased deployment plans for use in COA development.
• Participate, as directed, in the supported CINC's COA development process.
• Direct or coordinate the development of a deployment database, including time-phased and prioritized forces and accurate lift requirements for equipment and supplies.
• Coordinate with applicable transportation officials and the in-theater movement control elements for lift assets required to transport deploying personnel and TAT/NAP equipment to the APL or link-up site.
• Direct and coordinate preliminary determination of quantities of basic prescribed loads and accompanying supplies and initiate preparations for release of APL materiel.

Execution of APL operations requires the support of many diverse agencies, including HQDA, AMC, AWRSPTCMD, USAMMA, USTRANSCOM, and other major Army commands (MACOMs).

HQDA administers, equips, trains, and supports forces provided to the CINC. As with other Army forces, forces associated with APL operations are assigned to a unified combatant commander through the ASCC within the unified combatant command.

DA Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. The DA Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (DCSOPS) monitors and reviews policy on APL as needed. It provides guidance to MACOMs on unit alignment policy.

DA Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics. The DA Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics (DCSLOG) acts as overall manager of the APL program, to include required budgeting and budget execution. It provides policy overwatch and management of the APL assets.

DA Office of the Surgeon General. The OTSG serves as the executive agent for Class VIII as directed by the Chief of Staff, Army (CSA).

AMC serves as executive agent for the APS program.

US Army War Reserve Support Command. AWRSPTCMD, an AMC element, is responsible for managing and accounting for all Army-owned APS equipment and supplies worldwide, except Class VIII and hospital non-medical ASIOE. For APL, AWRSPTCMD--

• Coordinates, oversees, manages, monitors, controls, and records all equipment and supplies located at APL sites as authorized by DA DCSOPS and DCSLOG.
• Establishes and maintains control, visibility, and accountability for all Army-owned APL materiel other than Class VIII and hospital non-medical ASIOE.
• Procures, assembles, packs, preserves, inspects, loads, records, accounts for, and maintains all APL stocks.
• Inspects, condition codes, maintains, repairs, replaces, substitutes or augments, and issues APL materiel.
• Develops and coordinates issue and accountability procedures using the AWRDS system. AWRSPTCMD uses AWRDS to ensure the rapid, orderly transfer of materiel from the APL sites to the force commander.
• Performs care of supplies in storage (COSIS) on APL materiel to preclude deterioration and to maintain equipment in ready-for-issue condition (meeting TM 10/20 maintenance standards).
• Performs periodic inspections and quality assurance of all APL materiel and identifies COSIS, maintenance, repair, and replacement requirements.
• Prepares APL materiel, where applicable, for issue or transfer to the receiving unit.
• Coordinates, monitors, controls, receives, and accounts for APL materiel when released by the force commander. This includes inspecting, condition coding, repackaging, represerving, marking, documenting, and inventorying materiel to ensure the orderly, efficient return of APL stocks to AWRSPTCMD control.
• Develops a battlebook for each APL storage site or region.

AMC Logistics Support Element (LSE). The LSE is the focal point for all AMC activities in theater for planning and conducting military operations. It commands and controls assigned personnel in addition to controlling attached contractors. It integrates APS within the overall plan for support and integrates APS operations with the execution of all AMC missions in theater.

The OTSG has delegated the authority to USAMMA for the execution of accountability and management of APL Class VIII stocks. USAMMA--

• Coordinates, manages, and controls all Class VIII and hospital non-medical ASIOE stored at APL sites.
• Requests funding from HQDA in order to procure, assemble, pack, inspect, load, record, account for, conduct quality surveillance of, and maintain all APL Class VIII and hospital non-medical ASIOE stocks.
• Maintains accountability for all APL Class VIII and hospital non-medical ASIOE.
• Coordinates with AWRSPTCMD concerning the scheduling and participation in cyclic maintenance and inspection of APL stocks.
• Develops issue and accountability procedures for APL Class VIII stocks in Theater Army Medical Management Information System compatible format.
• Performs periodic quality control and maintenance inspections of APL Class VIII stocks. It identifies COSIS, maintenance, repair, and replacement requirements. It coordinates with HQDA for authorization and funding to repair or maintain not-fully-mission-capable equipment and to replace expired or quality deficient stocks.
• Coordinates with and assists the receiving unit advance party regarding the issue and accountability transfer of Class VIII APL materiel.
• Coordinates, monitors, controls, receives, accounts for, and arranges for the turn-in of former APL Class VIII and hospital non-medical ASIOE materiel when released by the force commander.
• Coordinates with HQDA for authorization and funding to restore or reassemble APL Class VIII and hospital non-medical ASIOE equipment and supplies.
• Coordinates strategic lift and movement from the APOD to the APL storage site for the USAMMA MLST to transfer accountability of Class VIII and hospital non-medical ASIOE to the receiving unit.

The Department of Defense's manager for strategic transportation, USTRANSCOM is responsible for all transportation aspects of worldwide mobility planning and centralized strategic global transportation management. Included in the latter is the responsibility to support rapid execution planning, deployment, employment, and sustainment of US forces throughout the world. Through the Global Transportation Network, USTRANSCOM integrates transportation mobility and deployment automatic data processing systems into a single system for all users. USTRANSCOM's major component commands that provide strategic transportation support are the Air Mobility Command, Military Sealift Command, and Military Traffic Management Command.

MACOMs (Forces Command, US Army Europe, Third Army, and Eighth Army) and installations are responsible for preparing forces for operational assignments, including APL operations, and providing assistance to deploying forces, as described in FM 100-17-4.