This chapter describes the
organization and functioning of chemical units (brigade to team)
and chemical staffs (theater army to battalion). The primary focus
of this manual is warfighting, however chemical units and battle
staffs may be employed in operations other than war (chapter 6)
The mission of chemical units
is to provide decon, NBC reconnaissance, large-area smoke, and
staff support to commanders to enhance their warfighting capabilities
or support contingency requirements. Most chemical units are 100
percent mobile. Basis of allocation is determined on the number
and type of units being supported and METT-T. Appendix A provides
details of specific unit organization.
CHEMICAL BRIGADE
The chemical brigade normally
supports a corps and consists of a brigade headquarters and headquarters
company (HHC) and two to six chemical battalions. The brigade
HHC consists of the brigade headquarters, containing the commander's
immediate staff (S1, S2, S3, S4, and communications) and the headquarters
company, which provides administrative and logistical support
to the headquarters.
The chemical brigade commander,
with the advice of his staff and the corps chemical section, evaluates
and determines the chemical unit support requirements for the
corps. The brigade commander advises the corps commander concerning
the employment of chemical assets. The brigade staff develops
the scheme of support based on the NBC situation and METT-T.
The brigade HHC is 50 percent
mobile and provides its own organizational maintenance and mess
support and establishes and operates internal and external radio
and wire communications nets. The chemical brigade headquarters
normally receives logistical support from a corps support group
(CSG) designated in the corps operations order or plan (OPORD/OPLAN).
The corps support command (COSCOM) provides points of contact
for all classes of supply, maintenance, and field services.
CHEMICAL BATTALION
The chemical battalion consists
of a battalion headquarters and headquarters detachment (HHD)
and two to five chemical companies. The battalion headquarters
contains the battalion commander's principal staff (S1, S2/3,
S4) and the headquarters detachment, which provides administrative
and logistical support to the headquarters.
There are two types of chemical
battalion headquarters. One is designed to operate as part of
a chemical brigade. The other, the chemical battalion (enhanced)
(theater army), is designed to be assigned to a theater army area
command (TAACOM), and to be the senior chemical headquarters in
that command.
The roles, functions, and
responsibilities of the chemical battalion are directly affected
by the command or support relationship established with the supported
unit (see chapter 4, Battle Command). When a chemical battalion
is attached or under the operational control of a division, the
division chemical officer may relinquish operational control of
the division's assigned chemical company to the chemical battalion.
This establishes a single point of contact for chemical unit support.
The HHD is 50 percent mobile
and provides its own organizational maintenance and mess support
and establishes and operates internal and external radio and wire
communications nets. The chemical battalion (enhanced)(theater
army) will normally receive support from an area support group
(ASG). The ASG provides points of contact for all classes of supply,
maintenance, and field services.
CHEMICAL COMPANIES
Chemical Decontamination
Company
The chemical decon company
provides equipment decon support to units. The company consists
of a company headquarters, a maintenance section, and five decon
platoons. The company is 100 percent mobile. Each decon platoon
is organized with a platoon headquarters and three decon squads.
The decon squads are equipped with the M12A1 power-driven decon
apparatus (PDDA).
The company may provide decon
support to units in a corps' rear area, the communications zone
(COMMZ), or a division's area of operations (AO). The company
may also provide specialized decon support such as aircraft or
terrain decon. FM 3-5, NBC Decontamination, provides detailed
information concerning decon operations.
Motorized Smoke Generator
Company
The motorized smoke generator
company provides large-area smoke support for tactical operations.
The company consists of a company headquarters, a maintenance
section, two smoke platoons, and a support platoon. The company
is 100 percent mobile. Each smoke platoon is organized with a
platoon headquarters, and three smoke squads. The smoke squads
are equipped with the motorized smoke system. The support platoon
may operate in a centralized or decentralized mode. When the company
is organized to conduct company-level smoke operations, the support
platoon operates as a platoon under the control of the support
platoon leader. In decentralized operations, smoke platoons operate
independently with support squads task-organized to each platoon
under control of the smoke platoon leader.
The motorized smoke company
is normally assigned to a chemical battalion, but may operate
in direct support to a division. Motorized smoke units are less
survivable than mechanized smoke units. This must be considered
when determining how far forward motorized smoke units will operate.
The smallest deployable element
of the company is a platoon. A motorized smoke platoon can create
a smoke haze from 1,100 to 2,800 meters in width.
FM 3-50, Smoke
Operations provides more detailed information concerning smoke
operations.
Mechanized Smoke Generator
Company
The mechanized smoke company
provides large-area smoke support for tactical operations in the
forward combat area. The company consists of a company headquarters
and two smoke platoons. The company is 100 percent mobile. Each
platoon consists of a platoon headquarters, two smoke squads,
and a support squad. The smoke squads are equipped with M1059
mechanized smoke vehicles. The M1059 allows them to provide more
responsive smoke support to armored and mechanized infantry units.
The smallest deployable element
of the mechanized company is a platoon. One platoon can create
a smoke haze from 600 to 1,500 meters in width. Survivability
of the fuel support platoon/ squads must be taken into consideration
during planning. FM 3-50, Smoke Operations provides detailed
information concerning smoke operations.
Smoke/Decontamination
Company
The smoke/decon chemical company
(corps/theater army) provides large area smoke and equipment decon
support to divisions, units in the corps rear areas, or COMMZ.
The company consists of a company headquarters and four smoke/decon
platoons. The company is 100 percent mobile. Each platoon consists
of a platoon headquarters, two smoke/decon squads, and a fuel/water
support squad. The smoke/decon squads are equipped with M17 lightweight
decon systems (LDS) and motorized smoke system. Each support squad
can haul 2,400 gallons of water and 1,100 gallons of fog oil.
Each platoon can provide equipment
decon and large area smoke generation support, however, the platoons
cannot perform these missions simultaneously. Platoons cannot
immediately switch from one mission to the other and must plan
changes to mission configuration in detail.
A platoon can provide smoke
haze from 550 to 1,400 meters in width. When the platoon
is configured for decon support it can establish two operational
decon sites or one thorough decon site.
NBC Reconnaissance Company
The NBC reconnaissance company
provides NBC reconnaissance support through the area of operations
to locate, identify, mark, report NBC contamination, and identify
bypass routes around contaminated areas. The company has three
platoons, each with four recon squads. The company is 100 percent
mobile. Each squad contains two recon teams.
The NBC reconnaissance company
is normally assigned as a separate company of the chemical brigade,
but may be attached to a chemical battalion. The company's platoons
can conduct NBC reconnaissance, surveys, surveillance, sampling,
and limited conventional reconnaissance missions throughout the
corps area of operations. Recon squads may also locate potential
decon sites. FM 3-19,
NBC Reconnaissance, provides detailed information
concerning NBC reconnaissance operations.
Chemical Company (Smoke/Decontamination/Reconnaissance)
This company provides equipment decon, NBC reconnaissance, large-area smoke, and chemical staff support to armored cavalry regiments (ACR). The company consists of a chemical staff section, a company headquarters, one NBC recon platoon, and one smoke/decon platoon. The company is 100 percent mobile.
The company headquarters has
a headquarters section and a maintenance section. The NBC reconnaissance
platoon is organized with a platoon headquarters and three reconnaissance
squads, each with two recon teams. The smoke/decon platoon is
organized with a platoon headquarters, two smoke/decon squads,
and a support squad. The smoke/decon platoon is equipped with
M1059 mechanized smoke vehicles and M17 LDS. The M1059 is in the
smoke/decon squads, and the M17 LDS is in the support squad.
The smoke/decon platoon performs
missions similar to the platoons of the smoke/decon company with
the same considerations for planning. During offensive operations
or operations forward in the covering force area or main battle
area, thorough decon operations will probably not be conducted;
however, assets may be required to augment operational decon operations.
Recon assets, operating forward, locate uncontaminated avenues
of approach and contaminated areas that need to be reported to
and avoided by follow-on forces.
Heavy Division Chemical
Company
The heavy division chemical
company provides equipment decon, NBC reconnaissance, large-area
smoke, and chemical staff support to armored and mechanized infantry
(heavy) divisions. The company is organized with a division chemical
section, an NBC center, a company headquarters, four decon platoons,
a mechanized smoke platoon, and an NBC reconnaissance platoon.
The company is 100 percent mobile.
The division chemical officer
has operational control (OPCON) of the company and advises the
division commander on NBC defense procedures and on the employment
of chemical unit assets. The specific responsibilities and functions
of the division chemical section are discussed later in this chapter.
The company headquarters contains
a headquarters section and a maintenance section. Each decon platoon
is organized with a platoon headquarters and three decon squads.
The smoke platoon is comprised of a platoon headquarters, two
smoke squads, and a support squad. The reconnaissance platoon
is organized with a platoon headquarters and three reconnaissance
squads, each with two recon teams.
The company must be organized to employ its platoons to permit rapid response to changing situations based on the tactical scheme of maneuver and METT-T.
The decon platoons may conduct
thorough decon operations in the brigade and division rear area
or they may support operational decon efforts forward of the brigade
rear boundary. Decon platoons may be required to operate away
from the company headquarters for extended periods of time. It
is essential that communications, administration, and logistics
be planned in detail to maximize support.
The mechanized smoke platoon
supports maneuver forces in the forward combat area. The platoon
is equipped with M1059 mechanized smoke vehicles and can provide
a smoke haze 600 - l,200 meters in width. If the division is being
supported by a mechanized smoke company, the divisional smoke
platoon may be placed under the control of the smoke company.
The NBC recon platoon primarily
supports efforts for contamination avoidance within the division.
The platoon conducts NBC reconnaissance, surveys, surveillance,
sampling, and limited conventional reconnaissance missions. The
platoon functions are similar to those of platoons in the NBC
reconnaissance company.
Chemical Company (Airborne/Air
Assault)
The chemical company (airborne/air
assault) provides equipment decon, large-area smoke, and chemical
staff support to the airborne and air assault divisions. The company
is organized with a division chemical section, an NBC center,
a company headquarters, and three smoke/decon platoons. The company
is 100 percent mobile.
The division chemical officer
has operational control (OPCON) of the company and advises the
division commander on NBC defense procedures and on the employment
of chemical unit assets. The specific responsibilities and functions
of the division chemical section are discussed later in this chapter.
The company headquarters contains
a headquarters section and a maintenance section. The smoke/decon
platoons contain a platoon headquarters, two smoke/decon squads,
and a support squad.
Each platoon can provide equipment
decon and large-area smoke generation support; however, the platoons
cannot perform these missions simultaneously. Platoons cannot
immediately switch from one mission to the other and must
plan changes to mission configuration in detail.
A platoon can provide smoke
haze from 550 to 1,400 meters in width. When the platoon is configured
for decon support it can establish two operational decon sites
or one detailed equipment decon (DED) station.
GARRISON CONTROL
OF DIVISION CHEMICAL COMPANIES
While the division chemical
company is a separate divisional company, divisions may chose
to attach the company to a subordinate command. Such attachments
provide the company additional administrative and logistical resources
and support while in garrison. Positioning of the company is the
prerogative of the division commander. In deciding where to place
the company, the commander should consider that the chemical company
is a combat support organization and attachment to a combat support
organization would greatly facilitate garrison planning and preparation
for battlefield operations. The division engineer, field artillery,
aviation, and air defense battalion/brigades operate on similar
concepts, albeit on different scales, and share many like pieces
of equipment. An administrative/logistical relationship that exists
both in garrison and the field is preferred over one that is only
shared in garrison. Wherever the chemical company is attached
in garrison, the division chemical officer must remain involved
in the training, readiness, and employment of the company as well
as the assignment and professional development of company officers
and NCOs. As the senior Chemical Corps representative in the division,
the division chemical officer brings the experience and knowledge
that no other officer has in chemical unit operations.
CHEMICAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
Chemical service organizations
provide NBC reconnaissance, decon, and staff support to units
where these capabilities do not exist or are inadequate. These
units are normally assigned or attached to separate brigades,
corps, theater army area commands, and theater army units to provide
NBC support across a wide range of capabilities. The chemical
service organizations are 100 percent mobile using organic vehicles.
Chemical service organizations
depend on the supported unit for administrative and logistical
support. All of these units are 100-percent air mobile.
Chemical Team FA (Decontamination)
The FA team provides equipment
decon support for installations located behind the division rear
boundary or to separate brigades. The team is organized with a
headquarters section and three decon squads. The squads can operate
one detailed equipment decon station collectively or three operational
decon sites separately.
Chemical Team JA (NBC
Element)
The JA team provides NBC staff
support to augment separate brigades, corps, theater defense brigades,
theater armies, and unified commands. It is organized to provide
staffing for one 12-hour shift. Responsibilities and functions
will normally include operating the NBC warning and reporting
system (NBCWRS) and monitoring the status of the command's NBC
defense procedures and chemical assets. However, the team may
also be responsible for coordinating specific actions dependent
on the level of command.
Chemical Team JB (NBC
Element)
The mission of the JB team
is identical with that of the JA team. The JB team is organized
to provide two 12-hour shifts. The basis of allocation is one
per area support group, TAACOM, and selected separate brigades.
Chemical Team LA (Reconnaissance)
The mission of the LA team
is to provide NBC reconnaissance support to separate brigades
and theater defense brigades. It collects, examines, and identifies
NBC contamination, but has limited capability to evaluate data.
Chemical Team LB (Reconnaissance)(Special
Forces)
The mission of the LB team
is to provide NBC reconnaissance support to Special Forces (SF)
units. This support will be in the form of technical expertise
about NBC systems and employment tactics, techniques, and procedures.
Each of these airborne qualified special chemical reconnaissance
teams is assigned to an SF Group.
The special chemical reconnaissance
team is employed in one of three modes--unilaterally in a permissive
environment; as an augmentation for a Special Forces Operational
Detachment-Alpha (SFODA), or as trainers for SFODAs deploying
into denied areas. The special chemical reconnaissance team receives
additional chemical reconnaissance and SF-related training and
is familiar with SF-unique procedures. The team is uniquely suited
for rapid world-wide deployment. See FM 3-18, Special Forces
NBC Reconnaissance (LB) Team.
Chemical staffs focus on assisting
and advising the commander. The chemical staff contributes timely
decision making and supervises the execution of decisions. Chemical
staff sections at corps, division, and separate combat brigades/armored
cavalry regiments are organized as part of the commander's special
staff. These sections are not an integral part of a coordinating
staff section; however, areas of common interest and habitual
association exist. In these areas of mutual interest, the chemical
section receives guidance, direction, and coordination of actions
from the coordinating staff. All chemical staffs must frequently
work together to monitor, improve, and sustain NBC training, unit
readiness and standing operating procedures (SOPs). Chemical staffs
also plan and coordinate the employment of supporting chemical
units.
THEATER ARMY
The theater army is normally
the Army service component in a unified command. The theater army
has both operational and support responsibilities. Its exact tasks
are assigned by the theater commander-in-chief (CINC) and may
have exclusively operational missions, solely logistical missions,
or a combination of both. The chemical staff is a special staff
section with no fixed organizational structure.
CORPS
The corps headquarters is
supported by a chemical staff section, augmented by a JA Team
NBC element (NBCE) (see Figure 1-1).
Appendix C presents the duties
and responsibilities of chemical personnel in the corps chemical
staff section. The corps headquarters has the following positions--
- The corps chemical Corps chemical
staff officer (COL 74A00).
- Assistant corps chemical officer
(LTC 74A00).
- Three chemical staff officers
(MAJ 74B00).
- NBC officer (CPT 74B00).
- Senior NBC staff NCO (SGM 54250).
- NBC staff NCO (SFC 54B40).
- Three computer-plotters (SSG 54B30).
- Clerk typist (SPC 71L1O).
- Two chemical operations specialists
(SPC 54B10).
The corps chemical staff section
is normally augmented by a JA Team NBCE that establishes the NBC
center (NBCC). The JA Team is comprised of--
- NBC element director (CPT 74A00).
- Operations sergeant. (SFC 54B40).
- Two computer-plotters (SSG 54B30).
- Clerk typist (SPC 7lL10).
Primarily, the corps chemical
section advises the corps commander and staff concerning NBC matters.
In garrison, the chemical staff provides technical assistance
to subordinate chemical staffs and units. The chemical staff works
closely with the coordinating staff on issues such as:
- Assistant chief of staff,
G1 (personnel)--chemical casualties, status of chemical personnel,
chemical personnel assignments.
- Assistant chief of staff,
G2 (intelligence)--NBC intelligence, enemy NBC capabilities/vulnerabilities,
current and projected weather, intent to use NBC weapons.
- Assistant chief of staff,
G3 (operations)--NBC defense training, NBC vulnerability, effects
on corps operations, employment of chemical units, smoke employment.
- Assistant chief of staff,
G4 (logistics)--chemical defense equipment and supplies, maintenance
of chemical equipment, transportation of chemical assets.
- Assistant chief of staff,
G5 (civil affairs)--host nation decon, recon, and smoke support,
locally available industrial decon equipment and suitable equipment
for decon operations, training and equipping local nationals for
NBC defense.
Field Operations
During field operations, the
corps operates three command posts--tactical, (TAC CP) concentrates
on the conduct of the corps close operations. The TAC CP main,
and rear. The tactical CP consists of one integrated multi-functional
cell. The main CP concentrates on the deep battle and plans all
future operations. Additionally, the main CP synchronizes the
entire corps battle and provides continuity. The main CP has six
integrated, multidisciplined cells--headquarters, current operations,
plans, CSS, intelligence, and fire support. The cells may be massed
at one location or dispersed into four locations. If the main
CP is dispersed, the cells are grouped into headquarters/current
operations, intelligence, plans/CSS, and fire support. The rear
CP conducts rear operations and is normally collocated near the
COSCOM CP. The rear CP has three cells--headquarters, operations,
and CSS.
The corps chemical staff is
split between the TAC and main CPs to provide NBC staff support.
Rear CP chemical staff support is provided by organic chemical
personnel assigned to the rear tactical operations center (RTOC).
Table 1-1 shows the distribution of the
corps chemical staff in the CPs.
Tactical Command Post
The TAC CP is positioned well
forward and normally near the division main CP of the main effort
division. The primary function of the TAC CP is to control the
close operation. The entire CP is organized into one integrated
cell controlled by the G3. The primary chemical staff functions
of the TAC CP are--
- Assess the status and capability
of friendly units to operate in an NBC environment.
- Coordinate chemical support
(decon, recon, and smoke) for close operations.
- Provide information on the
close operation to the NBCC at the corps main CP.
- Maintain status of supporting
chemical assets.
- Maintain liaison with chemical
brigade headquarters.
- Process reports of NBC attacks
and advise on their impact to the current close operation.
Main Command Post
The primary function of the
main CP is to synchronize the overall corps operations, conduct
deep operations, and plan future operations. The corps chemical
staff officer and much of the corps chemical section staff operate
from the main CP. While most of the chemical staff operates the
NBC center (NBCC) in the current operations cell, there are members
of the chemical staff working in other cells in the main CP.
Current Operations Cell.
The NBCC is located within the current operations cell. The primary
functions of the NBCC are--
- Advising commander and staff
on NBC defense matters.
- Monitoring subordinate chemical
unit status.
- Operating the NBCWRS for the
corps.
- Conducting vulnerability analysis
of friendly forces.
- Assisting the G2 in identifying
NBC-related intelligence requirements.
- Assisting the G2 in interpreting
NBC-related intelligence.
The NBCC's routine operations
include calculating, collating, and processing NBCWRS information.
The NBCC collects all reported data and evaluates, plots, and
places it in appropriate NBC report formats. The NBCC evaluates
NBC data received from subordinate units; it plots this data on
NBC situation maps or overlays. These maps and/or overlays show
the actual areas affected by the contamination at a selected time
for a given area of interest. The maps or overlays also show predicted
downwind hazard areas. NBCC personnel recompute and adjust the
prediction several times daily based on changes, the decay rate,
additional contamination, and/or the tactical situation.
The NBCC provides information
on enemy NBC activities. NBCC personnel prepare an overlay showing
the locations, times, number, and extent of enemy NBC attacks.
This overlay provides higher commands data on number of strikes
reported and nuclear yields employed. It also gives a brief assessment
of the significance of these strikes. The NBCC uses the NBC reports
described in FM 3-3 and
FM 3-3-1 to distribute and exchange
NBC hazard information. It also ensures that the information is provided
to the chemical section.
It evaluates the impact of
NBC contamination on tactical operations. The evaluation may include
information on the degree of contamination at selected points
or areas, effects of contamination on tactical units, and protection
required by troops operating in designated contaminated areas.
The NBCC must be prepared to recommend the length of time troops
can safely operate in radiologically contaminated areas. In coordination
with the surgeons's staff, it also must be prepared to make recommendations
about the psychological aspects of prolonged operations in an
NBC environment in MOPP gear.
Once the effects of contamination
on tactical operations has been assessed, the NBCC recommends
the type and quantity of supplies and equipment required to support
decon operations. It balances these recommendations with information
received from the COSCOM chemical staff section & G4 on available
NBC supplies & equipment.
The NBCC also predicts the
casualty-producing effects of enemy nuclear bursts on friendly
forces. The NBCC prepares fallout predictions from collected NBC
intelligence. It distributes these as prescribed in the SOP or
as directed by the G2.
The NBCC receives, processes,
and plots radiological monitoring reports from subordinate units.
When radiological monitoring information concerning the corps'
area of interest is inadequate, the NBCC, in cooperation with
appropriate TOC elements, recommends locations for conducting
surveys. The NBCC may coordinate and control a corps-level radiological
survey if transportation, communications, and personnel assets
are available.
If a radiological survey is
controlled directly by the corps headquarters, the NBCC acts as
the control party. The NBCC briefs the survey parties and designates
the areas to be surveyed. Briefing includes the type, the amount,
the frequency, and the means of reporting. For detailed procedures
pertaining to radiological monitoring and surveys, see
FM 3-3-1.
Plans/CSS Cell.
The function of the plans cell is to plan future operations and
continuously develop feasible options for future execution. The
CSS cell provides CSS representation in the main CP to the plans
cell to ensure support and integration of CSS into plans. Two
members of the chemical staff operate in the plans/CSS cell to
ensure chemical support and integration of NBC defense into future
plans. They prepare the NBC estimate and integrate NBC defense
and smoke operations into future operations. They work closely
with the corps chemical officer, corps chemical staff officer,
and chemical brigade S3. The chemical plans personnel prepare
the NBC and smoke annexes.
Rear Command Post
The rear CP conducts rear
area operations. The primary function of this CP is to perform
terrain management, plan and control rear security operations,
sustain the corps fight, and plan and control corps administrative
movements. The rear CP is comprised of three cells--headquarters,
operations, and CSS. The rear CP is augmented by a reserve component
augmentation TOE (LTOE 52403 L000), an rear tactical operations
center (RTOC). The RTOC has its own chemical staff.
The chemical staff is located
in the operations cell. Its primary functions are--
- Assisting in terrain management
by maintaining a detailed and current list of all known contaminated
areas in the corps area.
- Assisting subordinate chemical
units in coordinating CSS support.
- Coordinating chemical support
for units in the rear area.
- Monitoring the status of corps
chemical units.
- Assisting in the synchronization
of NBC support in the corps rear.
- Exchanging information with
the NBCC.
- Coordinating host nation NBC
support with the G5 in the CSS cell.
- Receiving and processing NBC
reports from rear area units.
- Act as the corps NBCC when
the main CP is moving or has been destroyed.
CORPS SUPPORT COMMAND
The COSCOM has a chemical
staff of eight personnel. The staff functions as part of the security,
operations, training, and intelligence (SOTI) section with the
primary mission of providing NBC staff support. The COSCOM chemical
staff section must work closely with the RTOC, the chemical brigade
headquarters, and the corps chemical staff.
The COSCOM chemical staff
section serves as an intermediate NBC warning and reporting center.
It collects data from COSCOM units and passes this information
to the corps NBCC. In turn, the corps NBCC evaluates and processes
the data. The NBCC then sends the data back to the COSCOM chemical
staff section (and RAOC) for distribution to subordinate COSCOM
units.
The COSCOM chemical staff
assists in planning for the pre-positioning of NBC defense equipment
and supplies to support corps decon and smoke operations. In conjunction
with this, the staff assesses the operational readiness of NBC
defense equipment throughout the COSCOM. The COSCOM chemical staff
section makes recommendations to the SOTI officer and the COSCOM
commander on contamination avoidance and individual and collective
protection.
If a corps chemical company
is attached to the COSCOM, the COSCOM chemical officer may have
OPCON of it. At a minimum the COSCOM chemical staff section would
have the responsibility of advising the SOTI officer on how supporting
chemical units should be employed to support rear operations.
Chemical staffing elsewhere
in the COSCOM is limited. The corps support group headquarters
has a chemical corps captain and a chemical operations NCO (MSG)
for the same purposes.
DIVISION
For divisions with organic
chemical companies, the division chemical staff section is assigned
to the chemical company. For divisions without an organic chemical
company (light infantry), the division chemical staff is assigned
to the division headquarters. In either case, the functions are
identical. The division chemical staff is organized in two sections,
the division chemical section and the NBC center
(see Figure 1-2).
Appendix C presents the duties
and responsibilities of chemical personnel in the division chemical
staff section. The division chemical staff section has the following
positions--
-
Division chemical section--
-
• Division chemical officer
(LTC 74B00).
• Tactical chemical operations
officer (MAJ 741300).
• NBC operations NCO (SGM 54Z50).
• NBC staff NCO (SFC 54B40).
• Clerk typist (SPC 71L10).
NBC Center--
-
• Chemical officer (CPT 74B00).
• NBC officer (CPT 74B00).
• Chemical operations NCO (MSG
54B50).
• NBC staff NCO (SFC 54B40).
• Operations sergeant (SFC 54B40).
• Computer-plotter (SSG 54B30).
• NBC NCO (SSG 54B30).
• Clerk typist (SPC 71 L10).
The division chemical staff
operates similar to the corps chemical staff. The main distinction
between the division and corps chemical staff is the scope of
the operations. While corps staff focuses on the operational level
of war, the division staff is concerned with the tactical level
of war.
The division establishes main,
tactical, and rear CPs. Additionally, the division may establish
an alternate CP. The division chemical staff will position chemical
personnel in the main and tactical CPs. The alternate CP may be
augmented by personnel from the division chemical staff. The division
artillery (DIVARTY) headquarters, which contains a small chemical
staff, is normally designated as the alternate CP. An NBC NCO
(SFC) from either the division chemical section or NBCC may be
sent to the alternate CP for liaison purposes. The rear CP is
normally collocated with the division support command (DISCOM)
CP. The DISCOM chemical staff provides chemical staff support
to the rear CP as necessary. If the rear CP does not collocate
with the DISCOM, personnel from the division chemical staff may
need to be sent to the rear CP.
The division chemical staff
is split between the TAC and main CPs to provide NBC staff support.
NBC staff support is provided to the rear CP by chemical personnel
assigned to the DISCOM. Table 1-2 shows the distribution of the
division chemical staff in the CPs.
TAC CP.
The TAC CP contains only those
elements and information that directly
contribute to the conduct of the current close operation. The
TAC CP is comprised of four elements--G-2, G-3, G-3
mobility /countermobility (M/CM), and fire support element (FSE).
The chemical staff works in the G-3 M/CM element
(Figure 1-3). The chemical staff coordinates
and integrates chemical operations in support of the close operation.
-
The primary functions of the
TAC CP chemical staff--
-
• Advise the division commander
and G3 on the impact of enemy NBC attacks and friendly operations
in an NBC environment.
• Coordinate chemical support
(decon, recon, and smoke) for close operations.
• Maintain the status of contaminated
areas in the division area.
• Maintain status of supporting
chemical assets.
• Maintain liaison with
subordinate/supporting chemical unit headquarters.
• Provide information on the
close operation to the NBCC at the division main CP.
The TAC CP chemical section
does not normally establish priorities or allocate resources for
chemical support, but may be required by the situation to do so.
Main CP. The
main CP has three functional cells--command, G3, and G2. The division
chemical staff constitutes the NBCC in the G3 cell (Figure 1-4).
The primary functions of the main CP is to--
- Recommend allocation of resources
to the deep, close, and rear operations.
- Establish priorities for deep,
close, and rear operations.
- Plan future operations.
- Coordinate, integrate, synchronize
available assets to support current and future operations.
The primary functions of the
NBCC are to--
- Coordinate, integrate, and
synchronize the employment of all organic and supporting chemical
units to support the division fight.
- Recommend allocation chemical
resources and establish priorities for chemical support to support
the division's deep, close, and rear operations.
- Operate the division's NBCWRS.
At the division level chemical
personnel normally work with the G2 and G3 cells. The NBCC maintains
close coordination and liaison with these cells. Additionally,
the division chemical officer provides assistance to the planning
cell to prepare the NBC estimates and the NBC support plans and
annexes.
The NBCC maintains the status
of all subordinate/supporting chemical units as well as critical
NBC logistic items. The NBCC also maintains close liaison with
supporting and subordinate chemical units.
BRIGADE
The brigade chemical section
advises the brigade commander on all NBC matters. The section
coordinates with the other staff sections as necessary. The section
also operates an NBC sub-collection center (NBSCC). The NBSCC
collects, consolidates, and distributes all NBC reports from subordinate,
adjacent, and higher organizations. The organization of the brigade
chemical section varies with the type of brigade. Normally, the
brigade chemical section operates out of the main CP. The brigade
chemical officer is a member of both the current operations and
plans sections. They work in close coordination with the intelligence
and fire support sections. The brigade's army airspace command
and control (A2C2)
section requires information concerning chemical hazard areas
and planned and current smoke operations. The brigade chemical
staff also will coordinate and assist the operations support section
on NBC logistics matters.
During garrison operations,
the chemical staff section provides training to subordinate chemical
personnel and advises the brigade commander on NBC training requirements.
The section also conducts training visits and evaluations.
The chemical staff section
is responsible for developing the NBC support plan for the brigade.
The NBC support plan may be included in the basic OPLAN/OPORD
or as an annex to the OPLAN/OPORD. The brigade chemical section
prepares the NBC support plan in conjunction with the basic plan/order.
Formats for an NBC support plan are included in
Appendix F. The
role of the chemical staff officer in the planning process is
described in detail in Appendix D.
Separate Combat Brigades
The separate brigade's chemical
section is staffed with more personnel than a divisional brigade.
The duties and responsibilities are very similar to those of the
division chemical staff section. Figure 1-5 shows an organizational
diagram of the separate brigade chemical section.
Armored Cavalry Regiments
The chemical section in the
armored cavalry regiments is part of the regiment's chemical company.
The section is staffed with more personnel than a maneuver brigade
and functions like a division chemical section.
BATTALION
The battalion chemical personnel
functioning similar manner to the chemical personnel of the brigade
section. The only real difference is their scope. The battalion
chemical officer functions as the battalion commander's primary
advisor on NBC matters and as an assistant S3. Battalion chemical
personnel also include the battalion chemical NCO (SSG) and decon
specialist (SPC).
The battalion chemical officer
participates in the planning effort and prepares a chemical support
plan. The chemical support plan is typically included in the basic
OPLAN/OPORD.
In garrison, the battalion chemical personnel assist in training and conduct inspections of subordinate units to ensure all NBC defense equipment and supplies are being maintained.
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