The DISCOM provides division-level
logistics and HSS to all organic and attached elements of the
division. The COSCOM logistics task force operating in the division
area will provide logistics to the nondivision units in the division
area. The DISCOM commander is the principal logistics operator
of the division. He exercises full command authority over all
organic units of the support command. The division G4 has coordinating
staff responsibility for logistics planning. He develops division-level
plans, policies, and priorities. The relationship between the
division G4 and the DISCOM commander must be extremely close because
of the similarities of interests. The DISCOM support operations
section and the MMC provide planning and coordination to ensure
sustainment support for all division and attached units.
The DISCOM provides the following
logistics and HSS:
- Support of Class I, II, III,
IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, and IX supplies.
- Operation of ammunition transfer
points within the division. (Under MOADS, the corps DS ammunition
company operates the division rear ATP. See Chapter 6.)
- DS maintenance and reinforcing
unit maintenance support for all common and missile materiel organic
to the division, and AVIM support for all aviation materiel.
- Materiel (supply and maintenance)
management for the division.
- Transport for personnel, supplies,
and equipment to accomplish division logistics and administrative
missions. Also provide supplemental ground transportation to support
emergency requirements.
- Supervision and coordination
of DISCOM transportation operations.
- ADP system software support
for division logistics activities.
- Materiel salvage facilities.
- A limited capability to carry
reserve supplies.
- Logistics information and
advice to the division commander and his staff, except construction.
- Echelons I and II health service
support to units assigned and attached to the division. This includes
emergency medical care, advanced trauma management, and sick call.
Also provided are intradivision ground evacuation, emergency dental
care, and optometry support. In addition, direct support and unit-level
medical maintenance are provided as well as coordination of Echelon
III (corps) HSS.
- Planning, coordinating, and
conducting rear operations within its assigned areas of responsibility.
- Receipt, storage, and distribution
of unclassified maps.
The DISCOM is dependent on
the following:
- Corps transportation to bring
supplies forward to the DSA and BSAs (Class IV, V, and limited
III).
- The division AB or corps medium
helicopter units for airlift needed to support logistics requirements.
- Additional water support distribution,
- Nondivisional field service
units for laundry, bath, clothing exchange, and graves registration
services. (Only when there are no authorized organic augmentations.)
- Appropriate elements of the
corps for financial, legal, personnel, and administrative services.
- Corps aeromedical evacuation
units for aeromedical evacuation support
Sustainment planning begins
with the commander's statement of his intent in conducting the
battle. This planning is done concurrently with the development
of the tactical plan. Coordination with the division G1/G4 ensures
that the tactical schemes of maneuver and fire support are supportable.
The ADC-S orchestrates this planning with the DISCOM commander
and the division rear CP staff. In the brigade AO, the FSB works
with the brigade S4 to plan sustainment.
Some of the critical factors
to consider in support planning are --
- Mission.
- Number, types, and capabilities
of support units and quantities of resources available. See Appendix
C for discussion of heavy/light mixes.
- Commander's priorities for
support.
- Consumption factors for planned
operations.
- Critical weapon systems whose
continuous operation is crucial to the success of the battle.
- Threat to CSS operations in
the rear and forward areas.
- Major tactical contingencies
requiring support. See Appendix D for the DISCOM support in LIC.
- Location of supporting and
supported activities.
- Effects of terrain and weather
on supported activities.
- Casualty estimates.
- Future operations.
The tenets of AirLand Battle
doctrine -- initiative, agility, depth, and synchronization
-- are basic to operational and tactical success on
the battlefield. These tenets establish the framework for arranging
sustainment. Sustainment must be carried out to assist the maneuver
commander to attain those tenets. Sustainment then seeks to overcome
the natural inhibiting effects of the logistics "tail."
It also enables the maneuver commander to take advantage of opportunities
to achieve tactical or operational advantage.
Sustaining the battle requires
commanders and staffs to adhere to the sustainment imperatives.
These imperatives are anticipation, integration, continuity, responsiveness,
and improvisation.
The agility of a force, its
ability to seize and retain the initiative, and its ability to
synchronize its activities in-depth all depend to a great extent
on how well the DISCOM anticipates requirements. For the sustainment
planner, anticipation means maintaining and accumulating those
assets necessary to support the commander's operation at decisive
times and, places. Anticipation also demands that DISCOM planners
be flexible enough to accommodate any likely operational or tactical
contingency.
Neither tactical nor operational
plans can succeed without fully integrated CSS. The commander
must assure that his overall operation is supportable at every
stage of its execution. DISCOM commanders must plan their own
activities to give the operational commander the greatest possible
freedom of action throughout the campaign or battle. They must
be bold and innovative in their operational planning by supporting
the combat force in doing more than the enemy thinks possible.
In this regard, sustainment operations must also be thoroughly
integrated into any deception plan.
Sustainment cannot be interrupted without directly diminishing the power of the combat force. Operating forces must receive continuous supply and services to sustain their fighting strength.
While operations and sustainment
both vary in intensity, operations may enter inactive periods;
sustainment does not. DISCOM planners and commanders must take
advantage of every opportunity to increase sustainment capabilities.
When the pace of combat activity diminishes, they must redirect
their efforts to replenish the sustainment base while continuing
support to combat units.
Continuity requires that the
sustainment effort never becomes hostage to a single line or mode
of support. Planners must anticipate the temporary or permanent
losses to key ports, air heads, and LOC nodes. Planners may consider
hedging through forward stockage, establishment of alternate facilities,
or a combination of both. Since the price of such hedging is a
reduction in current support, the commander must constantly balance
that cost against the risk of interruption.
In crisis or when fleeting
opportunities arise, the sustainment system must react rapidly.
Such quick reaction to increased demand is only possible with
trained DISCOM units. Trained units respond on short notice and
surge their support for brief periods.
Such efforts may temporarily
upset the support system but are often necessary to winning. The
mental and physical agility to cope with such requirements must
be built into the sustainment system ahead of time. To accomplish
this, commanders must have effective organization, careful planning,
and solid training.
No matter how carefully DISCOM
commanders and planners try to anticipate events, unforeseen contingencies
arise in every conflict. Enemy action, interruption to established
systems, and natural disasters can all upset plans and require
improvisation.
DISCOM planners have always
had to improvise when responding to unanticipated emergencies.
During these times, normal operating procedures normally cease.
Unusual sources of supply and transportation are exploited and
exceptional risks accepted.
Improvisation has long been
one of the American soldiers' greatest strengths and is viewed
as an advantage in meeting emergencies. Improvisation is not a
substitute for anticipation but rather a necessary complement
to it.
The heavy division usually
consists of six major and HSS operations. It also advises the
division subordinate commands. These commands are an commander
and staff concerning supply, maintenance, aviation brigade, division
artillery, DISCOM, and three medical, transportation, and field
services functions maneuver brigades. To accomplish the HSS missions,
DISCOM units deploy throughout the division area of operation.
The DISCOM headquarters commands
and controls organic and attached units of the DISCOM. organic
and attached units of the DISCOM. It supervises and controls all
division-level logistics and throughout the division.
The headquarters company is
responsible for providing all necessary administrative, supply,
DISCOM HHC maintenance, and field feeding support
for the company and the DMMC. The headquarters company provides
for billeting, training, discipline, and security in the company.
It also provides internal supply, food service, and unit maintenance
for vehicles, generators, and construction equipment organic to
the HHC and DMMC. It also provides administrative, food service,
and water support to the division AMCO. Details on the HHC are
in Chapter 2. The division rear CP and the DISCOM CP are collocated.
The DISCOM provides supply, maintenance, and field service support
to division rear CP personnel.
The DMMC is the primary materiel
managing element in the division. The center receives policy and
operational guidance from the DISCOM commander and advises the
commander on materiel (supply and maintenance, less medical) management.
Activities include --
- Determining supply requirements.
- Ordering and directing the
distribution of supplies received by the division (except Class
VIII).
- Developing and supervising
the division authorized stockage lists and the prescribed load
lists.
- Maintaining the division property
book and Army equipment status reporting data.
-
Operating an integrated division
maintenance management information program. The DMMC maintains
maintenance status to include problems, maintenance requirements,
and unit materiel readiness in the division.
The division aircraft maintenance
company is organic to the DISCOM. This company provides AVIM support
to the specific aircraft assigned to the division. The company
provides responsive one-stop aircraft intermediate maintenance
and supply support from its base location. It also provides maintenance
support forward to aircraft operating units. The three forward
support helicopter repair/recovery teams normally provide support
forward. When required, additional aircraft component repairers
are drawn from company resources and attached as needed to complete
a specific mission. Each team supports a specific type of aircraft.
There is one team for each of the following attack, utility, and
observation. Further discussion of the AMCO is in Chapter 8.
The main support battalion
is organic to the DISCOM. The battalion provides division-level
logistics and health service support to division units located
in the division rear. It also provides reinforcing support to
the forward support battalions. A detailed description of the
MSB's mission, organization, and functions is presented in FM
63-21.
The forward support battalions are organic to the DISCOM. These units provide division-level logistics and HSS to the brigades and other division units located in the brigade areas. A detailed
description of the FSB's mission,
organization, and functions is presented in FM 63-20.
The mission is the basic consideration
in the location of CSS units and their facilities. Maintenance,
supply, and medical companies and other DISCOM units must be far
enough forward to be appropriately responsive to the requirements
of the supported units. Maintenance, for instance, takes place
not only in the BSA but wherever the weapon system is located,
if at all possible. Mechanics and mobile equipment must be there
to fix or replace components of the weapon systems. Additional
considerations are enemy capability and their proximity to support
activities and other potential targets. Figures 1-1 and 1-2 show
the deployment of DISCOM units as they may be throughout the DSA
and BSA. Brigade and division support areas normally locate toward
the rear of the units they support. Considerations for support
area locations are covered in Appendix A.
figure
The brigade support area is
that portion of the brigade rear occupied by the forward support
battalion, the brigade rear CP, and other units shown in Figure
1-1. In those instances where the maneuver battalion trains are
echeloned, the battalion field trains are included. The BSA is
normally between the division support area and the battalion areas.
The BSA is approximately 25-30 kilometers behind the FLOT. This
provides protection against enemy indirect fire weapons.
Figure 1-1 depicts units normally
found in the BSA. Both division and corps units may locate within
the BSA. Coordination for personnel and logistics support for
the brigade is done in the BSA through the interface of the brigade
S1, the S4, and the FSB. Direct coordination exists because the
brigade rear CP collocates with the FSB TOC. The FSB commander
is the BSA commander.
The commander must balance
the need for security against the need for dispersion. Specific
missions, condition of road nets, and disposition of other troops
in the area influence the distance between troop units. It maybe
necessary, because of terrain restrictions or a guerrilla threat,
to limit dispersion of logistics facilities even when an NBC threat
exists. NBC considerations are discussed in Appendix B. Ideally,
logistics activities disperse far enough to avoid the destruction
of more than one unit. However, too much dispersion tends to reduce
operational efficiency. It also increases the vulnerability of
logistics units to sabotage, pilferage, guerrilla attack, and
enemy conventional attack. Defense measures should be taken to
ensure the least interruption in support operations. All troops
must know how to use the individual and crew-served weapons organic
to their unit.
The division support area
is that portion of the division rear occupied by the DISCOM and
division rear command posts and many of the units organic and
attached to the DISCOM. See Figure 1-2. This area may also contain
combat support units and COSCOM elements operating in support
of the division. The DISCOM commander is the DSA commander. The
division rear CP normally collocates with the DISCOM CP. This
is done to help with coordination, share area communication assets,
and draw life support and security.
The DSA is normally between
the division rear boundary and the BSAs and next to air-landing
facilities and the MSR. The precise location of the DSA is contingent
on a number of factors. Some of the major factors are the tactical
plans, the location of COSCOM installations, and the MSRs. The
terrain in the area of operations, security, and access to lines
of communication must also be considered.
Like units in the BSA, elements
within a DSA are dispersed, and each element must be prepared
to provide its own protection. Employment of passive defense measures,
such as dispersion, movement, concealment, cover, camouflage,
and deception, reduce detection. Unit SOPS should prescribe active
and passive defense measures for personnel, materiel, and installations.
Appendix A, covers self-defense in detail.
DISCOM units in the DSA displace
only as necessary to maintain continuous support to the division
and for security reasons. If a move is necessary, the DISCOM commander
recommends the new locations. This is done through the operations
cell of the division rear CP. All DISCOM units in the division
rear (except the AMCO) must be capable of moving every one to
three days.
An offense may be launched
at any time and with minimum advance warning. Therefore, sustainment
planners must be continuously kept informed of operational plans
and anticipate offensive operations even while supporting other
types of operations.
The primary purpose of the
attack is to defeat enemy forces. The characteristics of the offense
are surprise, concentration, speed, flexibility, and audacity.
The attacker must be able to maneuver rapidly, penetrate deeply,
and survive powerful counterfires. The attacker must also maintain
the momentum until the objective is taken. If the momentum is
not maintained, the enemy may recover from the shock of the mount
a successful counterattack.
Effective logistics and HSS
are essential in maintaining the momentum of the attack. DISCOM
commanders must prepare and organize for an offensive operation
much the same as maneuver commanders prepare and organize for
an offensive operation. Determination of support requirements
is influenced, in part, by the phase of offensive operation employed.
There are five phases of major offensive operations that the DISCOM
commander must consider. They are -
- Movement to contact.
-
Hasty attack.
-
Deliberate attack.
-
Exploitation.
-
Pursuit.
In considering the attack,
DISCOM elements ensure that all support equipment is ready and
that supplies are best located for support. They also ensure that
sufficient transportation is available to support the tactical
and logistics plans. All logistics elements are informed of their
responsibilities in the operation. Consideration must be given
to the nature of offensive operations as it affects logistics
operations. High fuel consumption may dictate making provisions
to build quantities in parallel forward locations without signaling
our intentions to the enemy. Ammunition expenditure is typically
less in offensive operations. However, responsive support is especially
critical and made more difficult by lengthening of supply lines
and by critical requirements for user resupply vehicles to stay
close to firing elements.
Class III and V are the most
important supplies in the offense. However, consideration must
be given to all classes, as well as operational procedures specifically
medical and maintenance. Supplies must be provided when they are
needed. Planning, coordination, communications, and above all,
flexibility are key elements to consider. Forward support becomes
even more important and increasingly difficult in the offense.
Likewise, DISCOM planners have to coordinate preparations with
deception plans to avoid giving away the element of surprise.
In addition to general considerations for offensive operations, DISCOM planners should consider some specific factors for each phase of offensive operation.
DISCOM considerations for
a movement to contact include the following:
- DISCOM supply elements top
off forces before the movement begins.
-
Only minimal resupply is conducted
move.
-
Ammunition expenditures are
usually to be light.
-
Repair requirements is less
in most commodities, but relatively high for vehicles. FSBs may
preplan maintenance collection points along the route to reduce
recovery requirements.
-
Field services, except GRREG,
are suspended during the move.
-
DISCOM planners must consider
potential bypassed enemy elements. They must have the latest intelligence
on the enemy situation.
Considerations for support
of a hasty or deliberate attack are generally those listed above
for offensive operations. Additional considerations include --
-
ATPs are positioned as far
forward as tactically viable if resupply is possible during the
operation.
-
DISCOM elements also place
refueling assets forward when possible.
-
Priority of support is to
the main effort with plans made to support follow-on actions.
-
Planners arrange to throughput
obstacle-breeching and bridging materiel if required.
-
Support operations elements coordinate forward echelonment of support elements with the division and brigade rear CPs.
-
They also coordinate with
the rear CP for support from maneuver elements to keep ground
LOCs open.
-
Planners arrange for aerial
resupply of critical items to the exploitation force securing
deep objectives.
A pursuit depends on open
and secure LOCs. Air resupply may be required. Other support considerations
are as follows:
-
Arrangements for air resupply
of emergency ammunition and fuel should be made in advance.
-
Medical elements must carefully
plan and coordinate evacuation procedures for extended LOCs.
-
Plans for the evacuation of
disabled equipment are critical. Prearranged collection points
may be required.
The primary purpose of division
defensive operations is the defeat of an enemy attack. The defense
must create conditions that permit the division to survive the
initial shock of an attack. Emphasis with the defense is to halt
the enemy, and then exploit the initiative and go on the offensive.
Defensive operations can take
many forms. They may range from absolutely static to wholly dynamic.
They may range from relying on firepower from fixed positions
to depending on maneuver to disrupt and destroy the attacking
force. Typically, divisions combine area defense to control, stop,
or canalize the attacker with mobile defenses to strike and defeat
the attacking force.
Sustainment considerations
are significant for DISCOM units in support of defensive operations.
Support of the defense has several characteristics:
-
Supply activity is greatest
in the preparation stage. Stockpiling should be far forward and
at successive defensive positions. Many supplies-- especially munitions
and barrier material -- will be positioned as far forward as possible.
These assets should also have as much mobility as possible. This
allows continuous support as combat power is shifted in response
to enemy attacks.
-
Stockage levels maybe two
or three times normal amounts for defensive techniques such as
stay-behind operations to create redundancy of cashes and needed
equipment that cannot be readily resupplied.
-
Positioning of facilities
should be far enough in the rear to be out of the flow of battle
and relatively secure. However, they should not be so far removed
as to render the logistics effort less effective.
-
Maintenance teams should be
placed well forward to return the maximum number of weapon systems
to the battle as soon as possible. Stay-behind forces may require
unique support arrangements to insure equipment remains operational.
-
Consider use of preplanned/preconfigured
push packages of essential items in communications break down.
Stay-behind forces will require large quantities (two or three
times normal) of water, Class I, III, IV, V, VIII, IX, and batteries.
DISCOM units locate out of
the reach of possible penetrations. Locations are protected, concealed,
and serviced by good road nets. Units make maximum use of built-up
areas. Dispersion is consistent with support requirements, control,
and local security. Passive security measures are emphasized.
CSS operations are routinely carried out at night.
Division deep penetrations
initially focus on interdicting or fighting second-echelon regiments
of first-echelon divisions. The momentum then shifts to interdicting
or fighting regimental-sized elements of second-echelon divisions.
Use of deep operations affects
the closure time of follow-on elements. They also create windows
of opportunity for destructive actions against leading elements
of follow-on divisions before they close on defending brigades.
Division areas of interest and operation extend far forward of
the FLOT. This gives the division commander time to identify approaching
enemy forces, assess his options, and execute operations accordingly.
The deep attack takes various
forms. Some forms disrupt enemy forces in depth with fire. This
delays the enemy arrival in the battle area and prevents him from
interfering with friendly counterattack. Another form of deep
attack is more complex and more difficult to achieve. This engages
both firepower and maneuver forces whale continuing the close
battle. It prevents the enemy from massing (depriving momentum)
which subjects him to possible destruction. The last form of the
deep attack destroys or neutralizes particular enemy threats or
advantages.
Support considerations for
the deep attack are based on projected mission time length. These
considerations are as follows:
-
Short-term, highly mobile
missions into enemy territory are mission self-sufficient. The
units carry what they need and must expect no resupply for the
duration of the mission.
-
Long-term, highly mobile territory
must include the missions into enemy capability to provide limited
CSS. This is done by attaching highly mobile MSTs and health service
support elements to the attack force. The use of predetermined
air or ground rendezvous points allow evacuation of wounded and
positioning of emergency supplies and equipment.
A retrograde operation isan organized movement to the rear or away from the enemy. Enemy
action may force the operation or a higher headquarters may direct
its execution. Retrograde operations gain time, avoid combat under
unfavorable conditions, or draw the enemy into unfavorable positions.
Well-planned, well-organized, and aggressively executed retrograde
operations can inflict heavy damages to enemy troops and equipment.
At the same time they continue to maintain the division's fighting
integrity.
Retrograde operations fall
into three different types:
-
The delay is an operation
in which the division under enemy pressure, trades space for time.
At the same time, the division inflicts maximum damage on the
enemy without becoming decisively engaged in combat.
-
The withdrawal is an operation
in which the division, in contact with the enemy, frees itself
for a new mission.
-
The retirement is an operation
in which the division out of contact, moves away from the enemy.
Sustaining retrograde operations
is particularly complex because of the many activities that may
be taking place concurrently. Maneuver units at any given time
may be defending, delaying, attacking, or withdrawing. All of
these actions need support under the overall retrograde operation.
Since the retrograde is basically a movement to the rear or away
from the enemy, the following need consideration:
-
Echelonment of DISCOM elements
rearward.
-
Limiting of supplies forward
to only the most combat essential. Evacuate all other supplies
and equipment early.
-
Evacuation of supplies and
equipment to planned fall-back points along the withdrawal routes.
-
Planned destruction of all
supplies and equipment, except Class VIII (refer to FM 8-10),
that cannot be evacuated.
-
Emphasis to keep supply and
evacuation routes open.
-
Withdrawal of forward medical
treatment units as early as possible.
-
Early evacuation of patients.
Develop alternate means of evacuation; use air evacuation.
-
Evacuation of equipment for
repair.
-
Movement of all nonessential
DISCOM units and facilities to the rear as early as possible.
-
Performance of CSS functions
at night and during other periods of limited visibility.
DISCOM commanders must anticipate
that at least 50 percent or more of their work will be done in
darkness small. or under other limited visibility conditions.
Noise and light discipline controls need to be outlined in unit
SOPS. These controls need to be briefed to the unit members on
a regular basis. Additional and use of chemical trip flares.
considerations for these types of operations are--
-
Use of appropriate civilian
buildings which would reduce thermal signature
-
Use of light-proofed shelters,
both large and small.
-
Noise and light discipline
is a necessity when operating under these conditions.
-
Use of filtered lights.
-
Use of night-vision devices.
-
Use of chemical lights to
light CPs or vehicles and use of chemical trip flares.
-
Use of self-defense smoke
and obscurants.
NEWSLETTER
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