TA.7 COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT BOS
(Trends are numbered sequentially for cross-reference and are not in any priority order.)
Positive Performance
SUBJECT: Maintenance
OBSERVATION (AV DIV): Troop-level maintenance is strong.
DISCUSSION: Scheduling services to best support key missions is being conducted.
SUSTAINMENT TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: Ensure scheduled services are conducted.
(TA.7.3.2
Fix/Maintain Equipment)
SUBJECT: Maintenance skills
OBSERVATION (AV DIV): Soldiers at the JRTC display a superior knowledge of aircraft maintenance skills.
DISCUSSION: Aircraft mechanics demonstrate the ability to perform both real world and notional repairs in a tactical environment. Additionally, AVUM units have made great strides in planning for deployment.
SUSTAINMENT TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: Most maintenance slices now deploy with the appropriate tools, test equipment, and repair parts to support 40 or more aircraft.
(TA.7.3.2
Fix/Maintain Equipment)
SUBJECT: Vehicle maintenance and sustainment operations
OBSERVATION (BDE C2 MP): Vehicle maintenance and sustainment operations continue to be a positive trend.
DISCUSSION: The success of vehicle maintenance operations can be attributed in part to platoons bringing their organic mechanics to JRTC. Sustainment operations continue to be a positive trend at the JRTC. From prior coordination before the deployment to operational sustainment during the rotation, the platoon sergeant shoulders the bulk of the sustainment operation to include not only all classes of supply but also personnel.
SUSTAINMENT TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: The success of the operational readiness (OR) rates can be attributed to the platoon sergeant's knowledge of the supply and replacement system and rapport with the supported brigade.
(TA.7.3.2.1
Fix/Maintain Equipment)
SUBJECT: Casualty operations (CASEVAC)
OBSERVATION (BDE C2 MP): Casualty evacuation operations at the JRTC were a positive trend.
DISCUSSION: The success of CASEVAC can be attributed in part to the high concentration of combat lifesavers within the platoons. In addition to the combat lifesavers, the platoons are bringing platoon medics who are highly skilled and respected by their platoons.
SUSTAINMENT TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: Maintain the level of medical training in the unit and ensure a high number of combat lifesavers.
(TA.7.4.4.1
Provide Medical Treatment)
SUBJECT: Crew protection
OBSERVATION (AV DIV): Crew coordination is clearly an active program in the field.
DISCUSSION: This continues to prove a major risk reduction tool and an integral part of accident avoidance at the JRTC.
SUSTAINMENT TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: Continue Home Station training to reinforce crew training and expertise.
(TA.7.4.5
Train Tactical Unit and Personnel)
SUBJECT: Aerial resupply plan
OBSERVATION (CSS DIV): The forward support battalion (FSB) support operations officer (SOO) deploys to the JRTC with a well-thought-out aerial resupply plan.
DISCUSSION: The plan properly echelons supplies in order to support the brigade's maneuver plan. The SOO and the brigade S4 work together to respond to customer needs and to changing tactical plans. The brigade S-4 and the FSB SOO are doing a good job at both planning and executing support for the defense. The use of combat configured loads (CCLs) of Class IV/V (mines) results in timely and accurate distribution to engineer supply points and company-sized battle positions.
SUSTAINMENT TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:
1. Task-organizing palletized loading systems (PLS) and material handling equipment (MHE) to the infantry battalions has effectively increased the brigade's logistical posture while preparing for the defense.
2. It is helpful when a concept of support sketch and timeline is included in the brigade's operations order.
3. The timing of the CSS rehearsal for the defense is critical. Often units are waiting too late to conduct the rehearsal -- in some cases within 12 hours prior to the "defend no later than" time. Units should conduct the rehearsal about 48 hours prior to the "defend NLT" time.
(TA.7.5.1.2.2
Move by Air)
SUBJECT: Ammunition transfer point (ATP) operations
OBSERVATION (CSS DIV): The ATP does exceptionally well when the division ammunition officer (DAO) representative is collocated with the ATP.
DISCUSSION: The DAO representative focuses on the receipt and processing of DA Form 581 in a timely manner.
SUSTAINMENT TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: The ATP NCOIC can focus on operating and managing the ATP and provide quality service to the customer.
(TA.7.5.2
x3 Supply the Force Munitions)
SUBJECT: Class V sustainment
OBSERVATION (CSS DIV): Sustainment continues to be a strength for air defense batteries.
DISCUSSION: At Home Station, leaders, especially first sergeants and platoon sergeants, are integrating with BDE/TF S4s and support platoon leaders to develop LOGPAC procedures prior to deployment. This facilitates ease of missile requisition and distribution. During the planning process, leaders incorporate missile requisition and distribution into their overall plans.
SUSTAINMENT TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:
1. ADA leaders develop timelines and schedules to ensure missiles are in the hands of fire units when and where they need them.
2. When missile requisitions are delayed, platoon sergeants should have good cross-leveling plans to redistribute missiles where needed on the battlefield.
(TA.7.5.2
x3 Supply the Force Munitions)
Needs Emphasis
SUBJECT: Casualty evacuation planning
OBSERVATION (CSS DIV): Many CSS units do not have a plan to evacuate casualties.
DISCUSSION: A large majority of CSS units view casualty evacuation as a simple process that can be developed and executed while casualties are happening. Most do not analyze and fail to realize what it takes to properly render assistance and effectively remove casualties from the battlefield. CSS units typically do not understand that casualty evacuation will use resources normally used for other purposes and fail to incorporate them into the plan. Those units that do have a plan tend not to rehearse it, and during execution it proves to be non-effective.
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:
1. Commanders need to emphasize casualty evacuation. Casualty evacuation has to be part of the base operations plan and all mission support plans.
2. Transportation is one of the most critical commodities for CSS units and, as such, must be managed. The use of these assets must be factored in to the overall plan so that they are available when needed. The plan must then be rehearsed in order to be successful.
3. Units should look at FM 8-10-6, Medical Evacuation in a Theater of Operations, for guidance on planning casualty evacuation.
(TA.7.4.4.2
Evacuate Casualties)
SUBJECT: Litter teams
OBSERVATION (CSS DIV): Expeditious loading and evacuation of casualties is the single most important element in reducing the number of died of wounds (DOW) on the battlefield today. Units fail to recognize that medical personnel alone cannot accomplish this mission.
DISCUSSION: Although the use of non-standard evacuation platforms is increasingly being employed, litter teams are still slowing the process of evacuation. Units are failing to augment teams with non-medical personnel or failing to adequately train team members so that evacuation platforms can be rapidly loaded and unloaded.
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:
1. Commanders need to emphasize that patient evacuation is not strictly a medical mission, but rather a unit mission. Non-medical litter bearers are a force multiplier for the combat medic. Medical personnel should be used to supervise litter teams, but their expertise is better put to use in the treatment of casualties than in the actual carrying of litters.
2. All unit personnel should be trained in litter team techniques, and rotating rosters should be established to have personnel on call for litter team duty.
3. Units can train on the proper techniques for litter teams by using FM 21-11, First Aid for Soldiers.
(TA.7.4.4.2
Evacuate Casualties)
SUBJECT: Field sanitation
OBSERVATION (CSS EAD): Historically, battlefield losses to disease non-battle injuries (DNBI) significantly exceed those of injuries incurred in battle. Because of this, field sanitation measures are still one of the most critical elements of combat operations today.
DISCUSSION: Units routinely fail to leave proper distances between latrines and food service facilities and fail to establish hand-washing facilities in an expeditious manner.
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:
1. Field sanitation measures need to be enforced from the first day of an operation.
2. Units should review FM 8-250, Preventive Medicine Specialist; FM 21-10, Field Hygiene and Sanitation; and FM 4-25.12, Unit Field Sanitation Team.
(TA.7.4.4.3
Provide Preventative Medicine)
SUBJECT: Aviation employment in CSS
OBSERVATION (AV DIV): The aviation task forces typically find themselves underemployed from a combat service support (CSS) standpoint during most JRTC rotations.
DISCUSSION: The aviation task force usually has 15 or so UH-60s and at least 4 CH-47s in addition to the number of attack or reconnaissance aircraft. With the exception of several large-scale air movement or assault missions, these assets spend a majority of their time "standing by for CASEVAC" or other 911 missions.
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: Continue to reinforce this training at Home Station.
(TA.7.5.1.2.2
Move by Air)
SUBJECT: Methods of air movement on CSS
OBSERVATION (AV DIV): Other efficiencies may be realized from adopting the shuttle method, a simple though effective method for managing air movement of CSS.
DISCUSSION: During the defense, air movement priorities are usually to Class IV and V. Aircraft typically return empty from a mission.
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:
1. Crews, for example, should briefed to stop at the casualty collection point before returning to the brigade support area (BSA).
2. Many items may be retrograded quickly and safely by this method if proper planning and coordination have been conducted.
(TA.7.5.1.2.2
Move by Air)
SUBJECT: Priorities for movement
OBSERVATION (AV DIV): Units do a poor job of prioritizing supplies for movement.
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:
1. In the JRTC environment, recommend the brigade S-4 establish the priorities for movement by class of supply and by unit (with the commander's concurrence).
2. Once the priorities for use of utility and medium-lift assets are established, the aviation LNO builds an air movement table in coordination with the SPO. This table is distributed to the units and updated twice daily.
3. If weather or maintenance should interfere with scheduled deliveries, the S-4 may need to adjust unit priorities accordingly.
(TA.7.5.2
Supply the Force)
SUBJECT: Priorities for movement
OBSERVATION (AV DIV): All too often the unit has a great plan on D-Day, but the enemy can always counter any good plan.
DISCUSSION: By day three or four, the plan is lost and units are too busy manning the perimeter to rescue the CSS effort. At this point the infantry is running out of water, food, ammo, and patience.
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: It is all about planning, coordination, and modifying the plan as conditions change.
(TA.7.5.2
Supply the Force)
SUBJECT: Health service logistics
OBSERVATION (EAD DIV): Units lack the ability to use the Theater Army Medical Management Information System (TAMMIS).
DISCUSSION: This results in a several day lag time for operational input which is often impossible to make up. Medical supplies often reach critical stockage levels because clinical staff and medical supply personnel fail to coordinate efforts.
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:
1. Clinical staff members need to be familiar with the UAL and type of equipment on-hand for the hospital. This must be done at Home Station as part of the yearly training calendar.
2. Training should include both Professional Officer Filler System (PROFIS) and permanent party personnel. Once deployed, medical logistics personnel need to circulate through wards to check on supply levels, and clinical personnel need to gain a better understanding of the time necessary to obtain supplies through the normal requisitioning system.
(TA.7.5.2.5
Store Supplies)
SUBJECT: Enemy prisoner of war (EPW) operations
OBSERVATION (BDE C2 MP): Many units have experienced problems with EPW operations.
DISCUSSION: The problems result from a failure to develop an EPW annex or place pertinent critical information in the coordinating instructions paragraph of the base order.
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:
1. Due to limited MP assets, the brigade combat teams (BCTs) often do not require the MP platoon to conduct enemy prisoner of war/civilian internee operations. The result is that the MI company performs the mission assisted by the forward support battalion (FSB) and the brigade fails to provide the division with required information, logs, and status reports on EPW/CI.
2. Brigades do not maintain and forward the required forms for EPW/CI accountability. Military police must be involved in EPW/CI operations. If there are other operational requirements for the MP platoon, it is advisable to require at least MP supervision/counsel over the processing and reporting.
3. The platoons should enforce the guidelines for processing EPW/CI in accordance with company and division tactical standing operating procedures (TACSOP).
4. Review FM 19-4, Military Police Battlefield Circulation Control, Area Security, and Enemy Prisoner of War Operations; and STP 19-95B1-SM (task no. 191-376-4101).
5. There is a need to develop a BCT contingency EPW support package that provides tentage, survivability items, and sundry packs for EPWs as well as detained civilians. BCTs should also place the construction of the EPW cage on the BSA execution matrix to ensure proper focus and priority. There is a great need for training within the BCTs on the proper handling, searching, and tagging of EPWs.
(TA.7.7.1
Perform PW Operations)
SUBJECT: Civilians on the battlefield
OBSERVATION (EAD DIV): Units seldom include viable plans for dealing with civilians on the battlefield, a constant problem for deployed CSS units.
DISCUSSION: Every deployment includes lessons learned regarding the number of civilians with which CSS units must interact. A constant flow of refugees, homeless people, workers, thieves, sick and wounded, etc., will assemble at the gates of CSS units hoping for assistance in some form. At the JRTC, however, corps-level units often enclose themselves within their own concertina prison and fail to take advantage of the information and assistance civilian officials can provide.
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:
1. Units must be prepared to deal with the onslaught of civilians without damaging the relationship with the host nation.
2. Units must maintain a critical balance of force protection and civilian interface.
3. Units should re-look their plans and SOPs to determine ways to gain assistance (particularly intelligence) from locals while still maintaining protection for the force.
4. Units should review CALL Newsletter No. 98-11, Stability and Support Operations, and FM 7-98, Operations in a Low-Intensity Conflict, Chapter 4, Peacekeeping.
(TA.7.9
Evacuate Noncombatants from Area)
SUBJECT: Civilians on the battlefield
OBSERVATION (FS DIV): Most units are unfamiliar/untrained in dealing with civilians on the battlefield.
DISCUSSION: This ranges from unnecessary use/display of force, to permitting civilians free access to the position area and allowing them to disrupt unit activities. Another common occurrence is for the unit to call the battalion for guidance whenever civilians show up at the perimeter. Frequently, the battalion takes an inordinate amount of time to decide what it wants the unit to do with the civilians. The result is unnecessarily angering friendly/neutral civilians or allowing neutral/anti-U.S. civilians a significant opportunity to collect valuable intelligence (where the C2 nodes are, possible targets for terrorist activities, etc.). Frequently, terrorists will gain unobstructed access to a battery and will destroy the BOC/FDC or howitzer section by a detonated rucksack or car bomb.
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:
1. Develop and disseminate to the lowest level a "white/gray/black" list of all pro/neutral/anti-civilians and clear, concise guidance of what actions are to be taken with each type of civilian, as well as those civilians not on any list.
2. Establish clear procedures on what soldiers are to do upon contact with civilians. Train and rehearse all soldiers on how to deal with COBs at Home Station.
(TA.7.9 Evacuate Noncombatants from Area)
TA.6
Mobility/Survivability BOS & NBC
TA.4
Command and Control BOS
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