ATP-4-90 Brigade Support Battalion Download

Maintenance Operations 18 June 2020 7-3 nature of events that unfold during the operation. The change from one form of attack to another (such as from an attack to a pursuit), does not require a major shift in logistics plans and procedures. However, the priorities and requirements for maintenance support may change. Offensive operations increase equipment maintenance requirements and impact sustainment information system connectivity. Maintenance planning is complicated by the fast pace of and communication limitations common to offensive operations. Maintenance planning tasks in the offense include—  Plan for extended lines of communication and the impact on class IX distribution and recovery.  Plan for maintenance collection points in depth to facilitate fixing forward while minimizing demands upon recovery assets.  Plan to shift maintenance priorities in support of the decisive operation and main effort by phases of the operation, which requires anticipating requirements 24-72 hours prior to need. An important task for maintenance planners during offensive operations is to identify MCPs. Planners develop intent graphics, generally agreed to between the BCT S4 and SPO, that show MCPs throughout the depth of the different axes of advance. During offensive operations, the MCP is located as far forward as possible. The forward support company may collocate the MCP with the company trains or combat trains to share defensive tasks. Units should disperse within the MCP for greater protection from artillery, aviation, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The BSB commander considers cross-leveling FSC maintenance capability to weight the decisive operation or main effort. Although the collective use of FSC maintenance capability is the most effective way to support brigade maintenance requirements other courses of action might be necessary. Regardless, weighting the main effort or decisive operation requires actually shifting capabilities. Doing so requires careful considerations about whether doing so:  Is worth the risk of losing the capability for the time it takes to physically move to a new location and become familiar with the maintenance tasks required, in the dark, over unfamiliar terrain, with guides?  Can shifting the maintenance assets - given above consideration - generate better OR rates in the time frame required to support the operation? The FMT can establish a temporary MCP in the company trains to provide a quick consolidation point for damaged equipment, hasty repairs, or to perform BDAR. FMT typically evacuates non-mission capable equipment to the FSC’s MCP in the combat trains. The FSC will only move non-mission capable equipment to the field trains and BSA for extensive repairs. The BSB commander typically has the authority to determine whether to utilize BDAR and may delegate that responsibility to subordinate commanders. The commander may also approve the use of controlled exchange or cannibalization when class IX resupply is delayed. Evacuating non-mission capable equipment from the MCP at the combat trains to the field trains creates challenges for the FSC and the BCT. Considerations for the evacuation of equipment are—  Identification of equipment that can be repaired quickly vice evacuation.  The expanding distance during offensive operations requires recovery relays.  Evacuation requires HET and flatbed transportation support from the DSB. The FSC and maintenance planners remain aware of time limits and manage workflow accordingly in the MCP when determining whether to begin maintenance actions. Being aware of the maneuver force’s operations, tempo, and time constraints ensures that maintainers do not initiate repairs on equipment that they cannot complete before a required move. Offensive operations generally require multiple displacements of maintenance assets to support, since the supported units are moving away from their initial positions. Elements of the FSC typically accompany the maneuver forces and must be ready to cease operations at the MCP to allow sufficient time to prepare for movement. An accurate maintenance assessment of incoming equipment determines priorities of work. Options for equipment not accepted include—  The maneuver unit can self-recover the non-mission capable equipment during the move.  The FSC can recover the equipment.  The maneuver unit can utilize BDAR to allow the equipment to move under its own power.  The units can cannibalize if authorized or abandon the equipment. ATP 4-90