The maintenance company is
a critical component in fixing the force. To counter a potential
superiority in weapon systems fielded, the brigade must be able
to make the most of each system it has. The maintenance company
provides direct support maintenance and common repair parts service
to supported units in the brigade area. The company is organized
as shown in Figure 8-1. The organization varies with the structure
of the supported force. The company consists of a base structure
with a company headquarters, maintenance control section, service/recovery
section, class IX support section, automotive/armament platoon
(which includes an artillery system support team), and ground
support equipment platoon. In addition, the company includes a
variable number of system support teams. Each team is designed
to support a tank or mechanized infantry battalion. The company
receives one team for each maneuver battalion assigned to the
brigade. As discussed later in this chapter, these teams form
the bases for MSTs normally sent to work out of the maneuver trains
areas. The company performs the following functions:
- Provide DS maintenance to supported elements in the brigade area. This includes repair of communications, engineer, power generation, quartermaster, chemical, and utilities equipment. It also includes repair of artillery, missiles, small arms, tank turrets, track and wheel vehicles, and field artillery systems.
-
Provide limited backup recovery
assistance to supported units when required.
-
Provide technical assistance
to supported units that provide unit maintenance within the brigade.
-
Provide technical supervision
of supply of PLL items for supported units.
The overriding goal in FSB
maintenance operations is to provide forward support to of return
combat systems to the battle as soon as possible. Repairing equipment
forward reduces transportation requirements and time. It maximizes
the availability of equipment to the user. The FSB maintenance
company has been given the capability to perform the mission operations
well forward. Whenever possible, equipment is repaired on site.
However, this is not always possible and practical. The tactical
situation, extent damage, or availability of people, parts, or
tools may make recovery or evacuation more desirable.
The decision on whether to
repair or recover to a maintenance site must be made on a case-by-case
basis. As a tool to help make this decision, timelines
may be established. Sample timelines are shown in Table 8-1. If
the time to repair an item once all repairers, tools, and repair
parts are on hand exceeds the specified time, recovery or evacuation
should be considered. Timelines may be set by SOP or by logistics
or combat commanders for specific operations. All personnel-users,
maintainers, and maintenance managers-must always bear in mind
that these timelines must be flexible. If they are not accomplishing
their purpose, which is to maximize equipment available to the
user, they must be changed.
The maintenance company commander
with assistance from the maintenance control offic
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