TA.7
COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT BOS
(Trends
are numbered sequentially for cross-reference and are not
in
any priority order.)
Positive
Performance
TREND
1
SUBJECT:
Logistical support
OBSERVATION
(CSS DIV): The forward support battalion (FSB) and support battalions (SB)
provide doctrinally based logistical and tactical support to their brigade
throughout a rotation.
DISCUSSION:
The
FSB/SB provided their brigades with consistent and baseline logistical support
during their rotations. SUSTAINMENT
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:
The
FSB/SB used doctrinally based logistical and tactical concepts outlined in
FM
63-1, Support
Battalions and Squadrons, Separate Brigades and Armored Cavalry Regiments,
and
FM
63-20, Forward
Support Battalions.
(TA.7
Combat Service Support)
TREND
2
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)
TREND
3
SUBJECT:
Vehicle maintenance and sustainment operations
OBSERVATION
(BDE C2 MP): Units are succeeding in their vehicle maintenance and sustainment
operations at the JRTC.
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 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:
Success
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
Perform Preventive Maintenance)
TREND
4
SUBJECT:
Casualty evacuation
OBSERVATION
(TF 2): Units identified that the movement of casualties from the place of
injury is critical in preventing additional casualties.
DISCUSSION:
Soldiers
(who were well trained in buddy-aid) cared for casualties until they were moved
to casualty collection points where they received further treatment from medical
personnel. SUSTAINMENT
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:
None.
(TA.7.4.4.1
Provide Medical Treatment)
TREND
5
SUBJECT:
Treatment and evacuation of casualties
OBSERVATION
(LF DIV): Platoons are doing well on treating and evacuating casualties during
both the fight and reorganization/consolidation periods.
DISCUSSION:
Units
have done well using the 9-line medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) request, marking
the PZ, and transporting casualties to the helicopter. SUSTAINMENT
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES: None.
(TA.7.4.4.2.
Evacuate Casualties)
TREND
6
SUBJECT:
CASEVAC operations
OBSERVATION
(BDE C2 MP): CASEVAC operations are well done.
DISCUSSION:
This
success can be attributed in part to a high concentration of combat lifesavers
within the platoons. SUSTAINMENT
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:
In
addition to combat lifesavers, platoons are bringing highly skilled and respected
platoon medics. (TA.7.4.4.2.
Evacuate Casualties)
TREND
7
SUBJECT:
Casualty collection
OBSERVATION
(BN C2): Company and platoons are rapidly assessing their casualties, conducting
immediate first aid, and coordinating for evacuation to higher medical care
in a timely manner.
DISCUSSION:
None.
SUSTAINMENT
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:
None.
(TA.7.4.4.2.
Evacuate Casualties)
TREND
8
SUBJECT:
Host nation liaison and interpersonal communications
OBSERVATION
(BDE C2 MP): Host nation liaison and interpersonal communications continue
to be a strong trait for military police (MP) units.
DISCUSSION:
When
effectively employed in and around the local villages, MPs were an asset in
communicating and interacting with both host nation authorities and the local
populace. SUSTAINMENT
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES:
Successful
host nation liaison often supported the brigade combat team's (BCT's) intelligence
collection efforts. (TA.7.8
Conduct Civil Affairs in Area)
Needs
Emphasis
TREND
1
SUBJECT:
Ammunition management
OBSERVATION
(CSS DIV): Ammunition planning is often an afterthought.
DISCUSSION:
Lack
of planning and analysis on ammunition type and volume leads to units not having
the proper ammunition and 155mm propellants on hand when needed to support
the scheme of fires. Additionally, once the emergency push arrives at the firing
battery, proper ammunition management techniques are not followed. TECHNIQUES
AND PROCEDURES:
1.
The ammunition planning process begins during the brigade's Military Decision-Making
Process (MDMP). The fire support officer (FSO) specifies the type and effects
of fires needed to support essential fire support tasks. Concurrent planning
by the field artillery (FA) battalion S-3/battalion fire direction officer
(FDO) allows converting the effects of fires into volumes of fire. During the
FA battalion mission analysis, these requirements are presented to the battalion
XO and S-4. The XO and S-4 plan resupply to get ammunition to the firing batteries
in a timely manner during course-of-action (COA) development and wargaming.
2.
The chief of firing battery must account for ammunition arriving at the battery
and spot- check the section chief's segregation of ammunition. Additionally,
fire direction centers (FDCs) need to track the ammunition by powder lot versus
type of ammunition lot.
(TA.7.1
Arm)
TREND
2
SUBJECT:
Preventative maintenance checks and services (PMCS)
OBSERVATION
(BDE C2 ARMOR/MECH): Operators fail to execute the daily required preventive
maintenance checks and services (PMCS). The primary reason for this failure
is the lack of supervisor involvement.
DISCUSSION:
When
the PMCS are conducted, they are often not executed to standard. TECHNIQUES
AND PROCEDURES:
Leaders
at all levels are not doing what is expected to ensure that maintenance is
performed, parts are ordered, and status is updated.
(TA.7.3.2
Fix/Maintain Equipment)
TREND
3
SUBJECT:
Staff relationships
OBSERVATION
(AV DIV): Casualty evacuation planning for the brigade and the relationship
between the aviation task force and the C medical company (MED Co) in the forward
support battalion (FSB) is poor.
DISCUSSION:
Units
often lack thoroughness in addressing casualty evacuation plans and contingencies
with casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) aircraft. TECHNIQUES
AND PROCEDURES:
The
forward support medical team (FSMT) leader is an integral part of the combat
health support (CHS) team for the brigade but is often left planning his coverage
in a vacuum due to the lack of awareness of the brigade's tactical plan.
(TA.7.4.4.2
Evacuate Casualties)
TREND
4
SUBJECT:
Brigade casualty evacuation planning and execution
OBSERVATION
(CSS DIV): Brigades need to improve in the areas of planning, coordination,
and execution of casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) operations.
DISCUSSION:
Brigades
need to improve their ability to plan, coordinate, and execute casualty evacuation
(CASEVAC) operations. CASEVAC is part of the combat operations continuum and
should not be planned as a separate function. Not having the roles defined
and practiced only serves to thwart the CASEVAC planning process. TECHNIQUES
AND PROCEDURES:
Staff
roles for the brigade S1, brigade surgeon, and the C company commander must
be defined and understood by the entire staff. These roles should be clearly
defined in the unit standing operating procedures and routinely practiced within
the staff. (TA.7.4.4.2
Evacuate Casualties)
TREND
5
SUBJECT:
Aviation employment in CSS
OBSERVATION
(AV DIV): Aviation task forces typically find themselves underemployed from
a CSS standpoint during most JRTC rotations.
DISCUSSION:
The
aviation task force usually has about 15 UH-60s and at least 4 CH-47s, in addition
to 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 CASEVEC" or other "911" missions. TECHNIQUES
AND PROCEDURES:
Execution
of the OPORD is all about planning, coordinating, and modifying the plan as
conditions change. All too often a unit has a great plan on D-Day, but the
enemy impacts on the plan as it is executed, and so goes the CSS effort, regardless
of good intentions. (TA.7.5.1.2.2
Move by Air)
TREND
6
SUBJECT:
Projecting logistical requirements
OBSERVATION
(CSS DIV): The integration and synchronization of logistical operations required
to support the brigade need refinement.
DISCUSSION:
In
order for the brigade to conduct sustained combat operations, logistics planners
and operators must: anticipate and program logistical requirements, define
staff roles, treat casualty evacuation as a combat operation, effectively displace
the brigade support area (BSA), and integrate tenants in the BSA force protection
plan. TECHNIQUES
AND PROCEDURES:
None.
(TA.7.5.2
Supply the Force)
TREND
7
SUBJECT:
Planning the CSS effort
OBSERVATION
(AV DIV): Units do a poor job of prioritizing supplies for movement.
DISCUSSION:
None.
TECHNIQUES
AND PROCEDURES:
1.
In the JRTC environment, it is recommended that the brigade S4 establish 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 S4
may need to adjust unit priorities accordingly. (TA.7.5.2
Supply the Force)
TA.6
Mobility/Survivability BOS & NBC Narrative
TA.4
Command and Control BOS Narrative
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
