COMBAT
SERVICE SUPPORT
OBSERVATION: Non-organic units are not adequately supported because CSS planning for these assets lacks detail.
DISCUSSION: There are no battle rosters for non-organic personnel. DS units are unable to obtain CSS from their parent unit due to time and distance separation. The TF CSS resources are consumed by small groups of users which are attached, OPCON or DS who bring no CSS assets to augment the TF CSS element.
LESSONS: Specify in the OPORD exactly what TF units will support which non-organic assets. Merely listing the task organization and command relationships is not enough. Always conduct CSS rehearsals.
OBSERVATION: Units had difficulty establishing command and control at the mass casualty location.
DISCUSSION: Unit TACSOPs did not contain mass casualty procedures delineating responsibility for C2 at the site. Medics and combat lifesavers were utilized as litter bearers instead of to render first aid and perform triage. Site OIC/NCOICs were not designated and trained to respond to mass casualty emergencies resulting in medically trained personnel wasting their time performing administrative tasks at the site.
LESSONS: That unit TACSOPs be developed that contain mass casualty procedures delineating responsibility for C2 at the site. That medics and combat lifesavers be utilized to render first aid and perform triage while those less skilled medically should be used as litter bearers. That site OIC/NCOICs be designated and trained to respond to mass casualty emergencies so that medically trained personnel are not wasted performing administrative tasks at the site.
OBSERVATION: Units should plan and prepare an LZ/PZ at Lodgement Areas, Checkpoints, Observation Posts and other areas of troop concentration.
DISCUSSION: The nature of Stability Operations results in groupings of soldiers throughout the AOR. The road networks to these potential 'firebases' can easily be cut off by enemy action or weather and the soldiers isolated. Planning for and preparing an LZ/PZ at these locations increases the options and can ensure the rapid resupply of equipment, insertion of forces and evacuation of personnel.
LESSONS: Units should always plan for and designate LZ/PZs. Soldiers must be trained and equipped for LZ/PZ operations, with particular attention paid to marking, communications and security at the sites.
OBSERVATION: Battalions, training at the CMTC, are not prepared to conduct extended cold weather operations.
DISCUSSION: Battalions do not have the cold weather equipment required to sustain their soldiers in a cold weather environment. Battalions do not have or did not bring sufficient tents and tent stoves to protect soldiers from the elements. Some organizations that had tents opted not to set them up. Instead, they settled for allowing soldiers to sleep in vehicles. Battalions neither plan for nor conduct adequate maintenance on tracked vehicle heaters. In one battalion alone, 23 of 57 or 40 % of the tracked vehicle heaters checked were inoperative. Many of these arrived at CMTC broken. Subsequently, many others were used around the clock until they burned out. The battalions' lack of PLL and a maintenance plan ensured the heaters remained broken.
LESSONS: Have adequate tentage and stoves on hand to ensure the welfare of all soldiers. Ensure tents and tent stoves are properly erected and used. Adjust and validate existing load plans to accommodate tentage, stoves, and other cold weather equipment. Train soldiers and discipline them to use tent stoves safely. Fix broken tracked vehicle heaters and establish a system to track heater status. Maintain float heaters on hand at battalion level to facilitate rapid exchange of broken heaters. Designate and train an organizational mechanic as a heater repairman. Maintain a small but adequate heater PLL at battalion level.
OBSERVATION: Battalions, training at CMTC, are not prepared to adequately conduct field sanitation operations during extended deployments.
DISCUSSION: Battalions are ill-prepared to conduct long term field sanitation operations in a static environment. In many cases soldier hygiene is inadequate, plans for dealing with human waste are haphazard or absent, hand wash facilities are not provided at latrine and dining sites, and field feeding operations are not conducted to standard IAW FM 10-23 Field Feeding Operations. Field sanitation teams, if trained, are not employed. Soldiers are not required to wash their hands before dining; servers are not required to wear gloves. Soldiers are allowed to void human wastes virtually anywhere outside the perimeter and sometimes inside it. Slit trenches or other latrine facilities other than porta-potties are not planned for or constructed. Wash lines and soakage pits are not properly established in dining facilities. Trash and garbage is allowed to sit upon the ground.
LESSONS: Plan for field sanitation. Acquire the raw materials needed to construct adequate slit trenches, soakage pits, and incinerators and include them in unit load plans. Inspect field sanitation kits and ensure required supplies are on hand, used, and replenished. Train soldiers in field sanitation, establish the proper standard, and enforce it. Train and employ the field sanitation team. Empower the team to make corrections. Teach leaders what a proper field feeding operation looks like and enforce the standard. Get the Physician's Assistant involved.
OBSERVATION: Lodgement areas should integrate CSS for all resident elements.
DISCUSSION: Lodgement areas consisted of divisional and non-divisional units each requesting supplies through their normal supply channels. Multiple resupply convoys operated into the same lodgement areas. This resulted in multiple LOGPACS or resupply lifts, increasing risk in a possibly hostile environment with a restricted road network. No one consolidated requirements nor cross leveled supplies within the lodgement. As a result, units sometimes ran out of supplies although they were available in the lodgement areas.
LESSONS: Establish a single logistics manager for each lodgement area responsible for overall efficient and effective sustainment of all occupants. The TF HHC commander should perform this duty. All available organic, attached and DS CSS personnel and equipment should operate under his supervision. Further, he should:
- Minimize movement of CSS assets by maximizing consolidation and control. Conduct a single resupply convoy daily from BSA to the lodgement area, and a single TF convoy to company lodgements. This reduces exposure, ensures security, and establishes CSS movement discipline.
- Establish mutually supporting Class IX and maintenance systems for all occupants and their systems, including ULLS access.
- Serve as the single logistics manager, consolidating and allocating resources as required to accomplish the commander's intent.
- Maintain liaison with the FSB/BCT ALOC through the BCT A/L net and coordinate all movements, resupply and requirements with the FSB Support Operations Officer.
- Conduct daily logistics meetings with lodgement units to ensure timely forecasting and synchronization of resupply while coordinating total requirements with the TF S-4.
- Coordinate the resupply of company lodgements as required, including security movement and pre-configured company LOGPACs.
- Maintain as accurate on-hand status for all commodities, maintaining accountability and supply discipline.
OBSERVATION: Class IV stocks, both initial and sustainment are critical supply assets. The full range of field services such as latrine construction, was not exercised. Internal distribution and prioritization of Class IV stocks burdened units in maximizing utilization.
DISCUSSION: Initial stockage of Class IV material, particularly plywood and 2X4's should be provided for all mission requirements. Initial stocks may exceed shipping capability, thus local purchase for both initial establishment and Class IV sustainment are required.
LESSONS: Establish a total Class IV requirement for stability operations. Include material for all slice / attached OPCON units. Determine checkpoint, sign, latrine, fighting position and living area requirements. Plan for local procurement and establish contracting officers at company lodgement level. Include Class IV requirements in overall resupply operations.
OBSERVATION: Unit supply distribution systems must be flexible enough to meet the needs of the unit.
DISCUSSION: Units initially planned for and used supply point distribution, but quickly found that on-hand stocks were needed in all lodgment areas in order to assure continued support in all conditions.
LESSONS:
1. Units should deploy with initial stockages to sustain them until supply lines are established.
2. Supply point distribution can be used during the [buildup/creation] until secure bases are established.
3. Forward stockages of supplies is the preferable long term condition since it gives the unit flexibility and freedom to operate without constant concern over day-to day LOC security and condition.
OBSERVATION: EOD elements must be included in the force package.
DISCUSSION: There will be considerable unexploded ordnance throughout the AOR. This will pose significant danger to the soldiers deployed. An Explosive Ordnance Demolitions detachment is the unit specifically trained to deal with this threat.
LESSONS: Include EOD elements in the deploying force package.
Table
of Contents
Mobility
Public
Affairs
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
