UNITED24 - Make a charitable donation in support of Ukraine!

Military

Chapter 5

Support Platoon

5-1. General

The Support Platoon provides organizational and intermediate DS maintenance on organic TACSAT Company equipment. The platoon leader and platoon sergeant are the TACSAT Company commander's maintenance staff. C-E and COMSEC equipment are maintained by the C-E maintenance/COMSEC section. Vehicles and power generator equipment are maintained by the motor maintenance section.

5-2. Structure

The Support Platoon is critical to the success of the TACSAT Company. It is the fix-it element that ensures mission accomplishment.

a. Mission. The mission of the Support Platoon is to provide intermediate DS maintenance for C-E and COMSEC equipment and organizational level support for other equipment organic to the TACSAT Company.

b. Assignment. The sections of the Support Platoon operate under the control of the platoon headquarters.

c. Organization. The Support Platoon consists of a platoon headquarters, a C-E/COMSEC section, and a motor maintenance section.

(1) The platoon headquarters has a platoon leader, platoon sergeant, equipment records and parts specialist, and a prescribed load List (PLL) clerk.
(2) The C-E/COMSEC section has a C-E repair technician, COMSEC technician, microwave systems supervisor, cryptomaterial NCO, and repairmen.
(3) The motor maintenance section has a motor sergeant, senior wheel vehicle mechanic, power generator equipment repairperson, and mechanics.

5-3. Command and control

The Support Platoon leader is responsible for the supervision of the support platoon. He or she keeps the TACSAT Company commander informed of its operational status. The platoon leader is responsible for accomplishing the platoon missions. Conflicting requirements should be resolved based on circuit or system priorities. Priorities should not be established independent of command guidance or the appropriate systems control element.

a. Platoon personnel.

(1) The platoon sergeant, as senior NCO, acts in the name of the platoon leader when dealing with other NCOs. He or she assists the platoon leader to ensure mission accomplishment.
(2) In addition to organizational C-E maintenance, the C-E repair technician is responsible for directing, coordinating, planning, and supervising all activities within the C-E repair section. The microwave systems supervisor assists the C-E equipment repair technican.
(3) The COMSEC technician operates and maintains the unit COMSEC account and is responsible for the training of the cryptomaterial NCO and the COMSEC equipment repairmen. The cryptomaterial NCO assists the COMSEC technician in the operation and maintenance of the COMSEC account.
(4) The motor sergeant is responsible for the maintenance of organic wheeled vehicle and power generator equipment.

5-4. Employment

a. The Support Platoon supports the company headquarters, the two satellite platoons, and its organic equipment. Equipment of dispersed terminal teams that cannot be evacuated will be maintained by maintenance support teams. The platoon headquarters provides command and control, administrative, and logistical support to operating elements.

b. The Support Platoon performs organizational maintenance on organic equipment. It provides intermediate DS level maintenance for organic COMSEC and C-E equipment.

5-5. Operations

Support Platoon operations require accurate recording of equipment failures. This must include specific identification of equipment serial number, faults, frequency of occurrence, and any other data which might have influenced the problem. Operators must be continuously trained in new diagnostic and repair procedures. Parts inventory and ordering procedures to maintain proper PLL must be accurate and current.

a. Capabilities.

(1) The C-E maintenance/COMSEC section provides organizational and intermediate DS maintenance for the C-E and COMSEC equipment. Maintenance support teams provide onsite repair or replacement of terminal team's equipment.

(2) The motor maintenance section provides organizational maintenance for vehicles, generators, and refrigeration equipment. Members may be assigned to maintenance support teams.

b. Limitations. Administrative, billeting, food service, and logistical support must be provided by the TACSAT Company. DS supply and intermediate DS maintenance for organic equipment except C-E will be provided by the TAACOM. Transportation of maintenance support team personnel and critical equipment evacuation or replacement flights must be provided by TA aviation assets.

c. Defense. Members of the Support Platoon may be used for rear battle operations. They must be ready to react quickly to maintenance needs. They should be used to augment the existing security force. Support platoon personnel can continue their assigned mission in an NBC environment for a limited period. Extended operations in an NBC environment require higher headquarters support.

d. Mobility.

(1) Support Platoon headquarters has the following:

(a) Truck Cargo: 2-1/2 ton 6 X 6 W/E.
(b) Trailer Cargo: 1-1/2 ton 2 Wheel W/E.

(2) C-E maintenance/COMSEC section has the following:

(a) Truck Cargo: Tactical 5/4 ton 4 X 4 w/Commo Kit.
(b) Truck Cargo: Tactical 5/4 ton 4 X 4 W/E M1008.
(c) Truck Cargo: 2-1/2 ton 6 X 6 W/E.
(d) Trailer Cargo: 3/4 ton 2 Wheel W/E.

(3) Motor maintenance section has the following:

(a) Truck Cargo: Tactical 5/4 ton 4 X 4 W/E M1008.
(b) Truck Cargo: 2-1/2 ton 6 X 6 W/Winch W/E.
(c) Trailer Cargo: 3/4 ton 2 Wheel W/E.
(d) Trailer Cargo: 1-1/2 ton 2 Wheel W/E.

5-6. Deployment

The Support Platoon will normally be deployed with the TACSAT Company headquarters. The Support Platoon will be used throughout the theater in support of the dispersed terminal teams. If the TACSAT Company headquarters is not forward deployed, platoon operations and basing plans must be revised to ensure rapid response to all terminal sections. SCCC repairmen can provide technical assistant (chap 6).



NEWSLETTER
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list