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(FM 100-10, Chapter 3)

The intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) impacts on combat service support planning as well as maneuver planning. IPB at battalion level is a process conducted by the S2, the products of which should routinely be used by CSS elements. Each of the five steps of the IPB can be used by the CSS planning staff to tie the IPB process with the logistical planning process.

Evaluates the threat (Step 1)

• Requisition supplies based on the commander's intent and threat analysis. Begin planning to push these supplies forward.

• Identify alternate and main supply routes (MSR) that best support the disposition of the units.

• Begin preparation for the defense of the battalion trains based on current threat analysis (Rear Battle).

Evaluate the battlefield (Step 2)

• Identify likely fire sacks that could cause excessive ammunition expenditures.

• Ensure CSS graphics are coordinated with maneuver.

• Position CSS units to reduce resupply turnaround times and best support the commander's intent.

Conduct terrain analysis (Step 3)

• Ensure trains have adequate cover and concealment.

• Verify that road networks in the area of operation can support the logistics plan.

• Plan supply routes that are coordinated with all users.

Conduct weather analysis (Step 4)

• Analyze potential effect on CSS operations.

• Anticipate requisition of supplies in response to weather in support of maneuver unit operations; plan to push forward.

Develop a decision support template (Step 5)

• Evaluate the CSS plan to support the commander's intent in countering the most probable enemy courses of action.

• Develop contingency plans that address other potential enemy courses of action.

The mission needs of the AirLand Battle rapidly can overstretch the normal process for requisitioning and receiving class IX repair parts. Units must identify critical or high demand repair parts to maintain combat vehicles during continuous operations. The factors of METT-T will ultimately determine what is transported. One successful unit carried the following PLL items on board their combat vehicles at the NTC:

• M60/M-1 Tank

  • Center guides (10 each)
  • End connectors/wedge bolts (10 complete sets)
  • Sprocket bolts (4-5 complete sets)
  • Road wheel nuts (5-10 each)
  • Track block (3-4 each)
  • Primary and Secondary Fuel filters (1 set)
  • Fuel/Water separator (1 each)
  • Breech mechanism parts (assorted)
  • Firing mechanism parts (assorted)

• M-1 Tank

  • Skirt pins (5-10 each)
  • Gasket for fuel filter housing (1 each)
  • Wear plates w/bolts (2 complete)

• M113 APC

  • Fan belts (1 set)
  • Voltage regulator (1 per plt)
  • Fuel filter (1 each)
  • U-joint bolts (2 each)
  • Neutral safety switch (1 per plt)
  • Track pins (2 each)
  • Track blocks (2 each)
  • Quill shaft (1 each-cold weather)

• M109Q2/A3 155 mm Howitzer

  • Primary and secondary fuel filters (1 each)
  • Air filters (2 each)
  • End connectors (5 each)
  • End connector wedge bolts (5 each)
  • Sprocket mounting bolts (3-5 each)
  • Breech mechanism parts (assorted)
  • Firing mechanism (2 each)
  • Road wheel lugs (3-5 each)
  • Collimator lamps (3 each)
  • Instrument lamps (2 each)
  • Batteries for aiming post lights (4 each)

Far Forward Medical Care

AirLand Battle doctrine stresses far forward medical care. Far forward medical care poses a significant challenge to both the maneuver and medical leaders. Historical analysis of battle injuries point to a lesson learned: that if immediate lifesaving treatment with early resuscitation and stabilization is completed within the first thirty minutes of injury, the patient has an excellent chance of survival thru the evacuation process.

Medical personnel on site within thirty minutes dictated the need to establish a casualty collection point (CCP) forward of the battalion aid station but to the rear of the forward line of own troops (FLOT) and improved doctrinal guidance on the evacuation process.

TRADOC Pamphlet 525-50 addresses the evacuation process and establishment of CCPs. The process starts with a maneuver unit conducting buddy aid and reporting casualties. The Battalion Surgeon or PA regulates the dispatch of additional medical assets from the combat trains to augment established CCPs and requests ambulance support from the Medical Company to come forward. The Company XO or 1SG has the responsibility to make the evacuation process happen from the point of injury to the treatment team located in the CCP. He can do this by requesting treatment teams to move to the actual point of injury or forming litter teams from the FLOT to the closest point to which aid vehicles can be brought forward. Another option is to use organic vehicles such as those in the maintenance section assist in the evacuation process, especially during mass casualty situations.

Once back at the CCP the decision of air or ground evacuation will be based on METT-T and the patient's condition.

The desired choice for urgent patients is air ambulance which will operate as far forward on the battlefield as the tactical situation permits.

Far forward medical care requires close coordination of casualty evacuation planning with the TF TOC to include intelligence interface to selected CCPs sites that provide optimum coverage of high casualty area. Far forward medical care also requires medical personnel who are proficient in terrain driving and battlefield survival tasks. Medical evacuation and treatment of casualties presents a significant leadership challenge to both maneuver and medical leaders.

The location of the enemy prisoner of war (EPW) collection point within the battalion task force area often violates control or security considerations. Many successful units locate the EPW collection point approximately 50 meters from the Admin/Log Center (ALC) but within the perimeter of the combat trains. This location permits adequate security, prevents the EPWs from gaining access to overall ALC operations, and allows the S1 to maintain positive control of rapid EPW evacuation procedures.

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Air Defense