CHAPTER
8
COMBAT
SERVICE SUPPORT (TA.7)
- Tenets
for a good brigade support area (BSA):
- Have
a single drive-through one-way route that is enforced.
- Have
LOGPACs inside the wire.
- Have
the command post (CP) centrally located, not near the dismount point.
- Have
standoff at the dismount points to prevent drive-by shootings and bombings.
- Integrate
all brigade CSS assets.
- Have
a water source for reverse osmosis water purification unit (ROWPU) operations.
- Moving
the BSA requires a plan which must be resourced with ADA, engineers, fires,
aviation, and combat forces (if required).
- Consider
brigade XO involvement with CSS operations. The XO should have the overall
perspective to get CSS correct and sustain operations. He should attend CSS
rehearsals and, time permitting, attend tenant meetings to ensure that the
brigade perspective is maintained.
- CDS
and combat off-load must be organized. At times, units have left nearly half
of their supplies lying on a DZ for too long. Someone must be in charge. Rig
and mark bundles, drill the pickups, and account for all bundles. Segregate,
prioritize, and control the bundle movement. This is a brigade/battalion issue,
not just an FSB matter. DZ locations should be posted on the brigade operational
graphic.
- Always
ensure that hazardous materiel (HAZMAT) is properly marked and packaged. Putting
HAZMAT in an unmarked container is just asking for trouble.
- Both
sensitive item and regular MILVANS should be marked and secured. Have one soldier
with the keys on the advanced echelon (ADVON).
- Railhead
operations. Try to ensure that the same soldiers who do the outload at Home
Station are the ones who do the JRTC outload. This may require them to deploy
a little longer, but it will reduce the risk of accidents and lower the friction
at the railhead.
- Consider
placing the combat health support officer (CHSO) from the FSB in the TOC. He
monitors the Charlie medical frequency, which is used for CASEVAC. He keeps
up with the battle, gets EVAC started, and alerts pilots, ambulances, and aid
stations. This process speeds the response for casualties. One unit realized
significant reductions in the died-of-wounds (DOW) category by using this method.
As long as aircraft can fly, the DOW rate should be below 10 percent.
- The
CHSO must coordinate with the TOC, S4, and S1. He must have a complete CASEVAC
plan that considers mass and contaminated casualties. This plan should be wargamed
with all the players. There must be a "dirty" route for CASEVAC.
- Consider
MREs during the entire rotation with supplements provided (soup, coffee, and
fruit). Do not allow yourself to become tied to the LOGPAC/chow schedule. Many
commanders agree that this is the best course of action.
- Position
ROWPU assets early into the AO with adequate security. ROWPU must be operational
24 hours prior to final testing and ultimate clearance for distributing water.
- Successful
evacuation of casualties is the result of a well-planned and resourced combat
operation.
- Consider
maximizing the use of sling-load operations vice ground movement for LOGPAC.
This must be rehearsed prior to JRTC. Aviation lift assets are historically
underutilized at the JRTC.
- When
considering the use of the forward logistical element (FLE), one must be able
to fully articulate its task and purpose.
- Plan
for CL III requirements of engineer assets when engineers are working in the
area of operations (AO).
- Do
not forget to consider CL VIII resupply needs for combat lifesavers.
- S1/MEDO
must brief in detail how the CASEVAC will be accomplished and must show assets
available. Brief how WIA/KIA will be moved in each phase of the operation.
- Identify
PZs during mission analysis for CASEVAC.
- Consider
who guards the EPWs from the company collection point to BSA.
- Post
guides along roads near company casualty collection points so that the forward
located ambulance (FLA) driver can locate them.
- Losses
are important, but the commander needs to know the number of remaining soldiers
and when replacements will be in the AO.
- Consider
who writes the CL IV/V movement plan and when it will be written.
- Coordinate
with the engineer and S3. Consider how to get water forward, how much, and
with what assets.
- Many
CSS units do not have a plan to evacuate casualties. The large majority view
casualty evacuation as a simple process that can be developed and executed
while casualties are occurring. 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
these resources into the plan. Those units that do have a plan tend to not
rehearse it, and during execution the plan is non-effective. Commanders need
to emphasize casualty evacuation. Casualty evacuation needs to be part of the
base operations plan and all mission support plans. Transportation is one of
the most critical commodities for CSS units and, as such, must be managed.
The use of those assets has to be factored in to the overall plan so that those
resources will be available when needed. The plan must then be rehearsed in
order to be successful. Units should look at FM
8-10-6, Medical
Evacuation in a Theater of Operations,
for guidance on planning casualty evacuation.
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