Military

The main difference between emergency and administrative procedures is time. Under emergency conditions, the drawing unit completes the APL draw as soon as possible, meeting or exceeding the HQDA ODCSOPS issue timelines shown below:

• Issue a battalion task force or a preconfigured battalion task force within 24 hours.
• Issue a 2 x 1 heavy brigade within 4 days (local issue).
• Issue a 2 x 2 heavy brigade within 6 days (local issue).
• Issue and relocate a 2 x 2 heavy brigade to a seaport within 15 days.

Two sets of circumstances facilitate meeting the above standards. First, APL site personnel maintain and store equipment in a ready-to-issue state to the maximum extent possible. Second, units drawing APL stocks sign for equipment sets at the APL site and then provide inventory discrepancies to appropriate AWRSPTCMD and USAMMA elements within 10 days, generally after arrival at the staging base. The staging base is usually located away from the APL storage site for tactical reasons, that is, to reduce the target richness of the APL storage site.

Administrative draws of equipment are more time-consuming. Specific timelines depend on the unit deployment schedule, the extent of tailoring required to configure the APS unit set to a non-standard MTOE configuration, and other considerations.

For both draw options, deploying forces and their essential TAT/NAP equipment arrive in theater primarily by air in order to maximize the inherent time advantage of employing APL stocks. Shipping immediately required equipment by sealift would negate the time advantage of using APL stocks. Airlift planners should note that NAP materiel can include major items of equipment, such as multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) radars, that APL sites do not store. The ABS identifies the materiel available in each unit set. From the ABS, deploying units can determine the equipment that they must bring with them from home stations. Direct coordination with AWRSPTCMD elements provides deploying units with current equipment statuses. All eligible APL units should have a complete set of battlebooks. Figure 3-1 depicts the flow of data between AWRDS and ABS.

Following arrival at the APOD, deploying unit personnel proceed to the APL site and draw the pre-positioned equipment. In some cases, the APL materiel must be moved to another theater for employment. In these circumstances, the supporting CINC is responsible for planning the movement of the equipment from the APL site to the appropriate APOD/SPOD. Once the unit and the APL equipment arrive in the theater where they will be employed, the ASCC or ARFOR commander provides logistics and area security for them until they are assimilated into the theater command structure at the completion of the RSO&I process.

Figure 3-1. APS Automation

Emergency draw procedures emphasize speed. AWRSPTCMD and USAMMA personnel ensure a high level of responsiveness by having equipment ready for departure to the staging base immediately upon arrival of essential elements of the deploying force. Deploying units draw pure sets of equipment without cross-leveling, tailoring, or reconfiguring them at the APL facility. There are four keys to making the emergency draw successful. AWRSPTCMD site personnel, assisted by the advance party--

• Permanently install or upload as much ancillary equipment as possible onto APL prime movers. Ancillary equipment includes basic issue items (BII), components of the end items (COEI), radio mounting kits, and some models of tactical radios. They containerize and upload as many PLL and ASL items as possible.
• Prepare APL equipment for movement prior to arrival of the main body. The degree of preparation required depends upon the method of storage. For example, equipment in deep storage requires more preparation in order to issue. Typical required activities are listed below (details are in Appendix B):

- Remove preservation and packing materials.

- Install or recharge batteries.

- Drain and replace fuel as appropriate. Specific procedures are in applicable TMs.

- Top off fuel tanks.

- Upload weapons systems.

- Inspect each item of equipment and correct minor deficiencies. For example, personnel should inflate/repair tires, add fluids, and tighten or replace belts.

• Do not engage in extensive maintenance operations except for "quick-fix" repairs specified above. All equipment that can safely move immediately departs the APL storage facility upon issue to receiving unit commanders.
• Transfer property accountability by sets of equipment. Personnel perform detailed component inventories and reconcile shortages at the staging base. To minimize ownership disagreements during the APL turn-in process, unit commanders should deploy with precise inventories of organic TAT and NAP equipment.

During APL draws, the AWRSPTCMD and USAMMA issue or temporarily lend equipment to receiving unit commanders via AWRDS. Units must deploy with organic communications and automated information systems (AIS). AWRDS exports data to the Standard Depot System (SDS) and to the following Standard Army Management Information Systems (STAMISs): Standard Property Book System-Revised (SPBS-R), Standard Army Retail Supply System (SARSS), and Unit Level Logistics System-Ground (ULLS-G) as shown in Figure 3-2. See Appendix D for capabilities of AWRDS.

Figure 3-2. Property Accountability Transfer

The CINC/ASCC is responsible for establishing the staging base and supporting its operation. Most activities needed to make the unit operationally ready and prepared to complete the RSO&I process occur in the staging base. (See FM 100-17-3 for more information on staging base operations.) How thoroughly personnel can perform each activity depends on METT-TC considerations, particularly time. (See Figure 3-3 for a notional staging base. Actual layouts of staging bases are based on METT-TC.) Unit activities include:

• Identifying shortages to AWRSPTCMD and USAMMA MLST representatives.
• Thoroughly inspecting equipment for mechanical deficiencies.
• Repairing equipment to TM 10/20 standards, as needed.
• Test firing and calibrating crew served weapons. Identifying sufficient space, facilities, and equipment ahead of time is especially critical for accomplishing these functions.
• Organizing forces for onward movement to the TAA and preparing to integrate into the theater command structure. Units should organize in such a way that they provide themselves a degree of force protection during movement to the TAA.
• Receiving all unit basic loads of supplies.
• Coordinating movement requirements for convoy operations and transport of track vehicles (heavy equipment transport support).

Figure 3-3. Notional Staging Base

The administrative draw is predicated on having sufficient time and security to perform precise maintenance, property accountability, weapons calibration, and organization for onward movement activities in the vicinity of the APL site. These activities include:

• Upload of Equipment and Supplies. Personnel upload BII, COEI, communications gear, and other equipment and supplies, as appropriate, upon alert notification and/or upon arrival of the unit advance party.
• Staging of Units. Units bivouac, marshal equipment, and prepare for onward movement in the vicinity of the APL facility. Deploying units can leave behind items of APL equipment under AWRSPTCMD and USAMMA control, if they determine they are unnecessary for the employment mission.
• Property Accountability. Before deploying units depart the APL site, 100 percent inventories of equipment are accomplished, shortages are filled or requisitioned, discrepancies are resolved, and equipment is hand-receipted.
• Maintenance. The drawing unit inspects equipment to verify that it meets TM 10/20 criteria. It notes deficiencies on DA Form 2404 or job orders them to the APL maintenance activity. Repairs are usually verified by test-driving vehicles and combat systems. Maintenance activities occur in the vicinity of the APL site.
• Ammunition Issue. Units draw and upload ammunition before they leave for the staging base when ammunition storage facilities are nearby.
• Weapons Calibration. Units calibrate and test fire on nearby firing ranges, where available.

Safety during all APL draws is a command responsibility of the AWRSPTCMD site commander as well as the commander of the deploying unit. Appendix E provides a checklist of typical safety considerations during APL issue operations. It is not exhaustive. Therefore, every individual involved in APL operations must aggressively identify and prevent unsafe actions.

Key to executing APL operations during a contingency is for eligible units to be properly trained and exercised in peacetime. Units designated to draw and operate with APL equipment should conduct realistic command training programs that rehearse procedures, exercise communications links, refine liaison requirements, identify voids and gaps, and allow participants who do not routinely work together to establish familiarity, set priorities, and focus on future training. Appendix F and its supporting annexes provide planning, training, and exercise considerations to help prepare units for APL missions. This appendix includes a deploying commander's checklist to assist with unit preparation and training.

The ASCC/ARFOR commander provides for sustainment of forces deploying to draw APL stocks upon their arrival in theater. He coordinates the use of base facilities and base support services. This support includes essential supplies, maintenance, field services, ammunition, and CHS. As part of the support mission, a Force Provider complex of sleeping, hygiene, eating, and morale/welfare facilities may be set up if needed.