ATP-4-90 Brigade Support Battalion Download
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Chapter 7 7-8 ATP 4-90 18 June 2020 FSC task organization. The planning includes placement of the FSCs in the brigade area of operations and may include shifting FSC mechanics, particularly mechanics for primary weapon system, from one FSC to another to weight the main effort. This course of action configures the FSC maintenance assets in a way most advantageous to the overall brigade mission even though it might appear to be less advantageous to one or more maneuver battalions. Because of the challenges in shifting mechanics and their equipment while in contact with the enemy, it is generally best to determine changes to task organization before operations commence. This course of action is included in the BCT operation order support concept and annex F. It is briefed to and approved by the brigade commander during the orders process. Maintenance Control Section The maintenance control section of the FSC is the management center for all maintenance actions in the FSC and supported battalion. The maintenance control section performs maintenance management functions, dispatching operations, and tracks scheduled maintenance for the maneuver battalion and FSC’s vehicles and equipment. The maintenance control section has a small supply section that provides class IX support including shop stock and bench stock for shop operations. Shop stocks are demand-supported repair parts and consumable items that units stock based on the MTOE, table of distribution and allowances, or joint table of allowances maintenance organization. Bench stock consists of low-cost consumables, repair parts, and supplies used by maintenance shop personnel at an unpredictable rate. The maintenance control section also provides exchange of reparable items. The maintenance control officer and the FSC’s automation systems are collocated in the maintenance control section. The maintenance control officer uses GCSS-Army to produce the readiness reports and to analyze and assess maintenance status. The maintenance control officer is responsible for preparing maintenance reports for the maneuver commander. The maintenance control section tracks the calls for support and logistics task orders generated through GCSS-Army as well as manually through Joint Battle Command – Platform - Logistics, commonly called JRC-Log, communications. The maintenance control officer serves as the maintenance officer for the supported battalion and FSC. The maintenance control officer is the senior maintenance representative in the MCP and is responsible for managing the maintenance control section, maintenance section, service and recovery section, and the field maintenance teams. The recovery section provides recovery support to elements of the FSC and provides limited reinforcing recovery support to FMTs. The maintenance control section controls and assigns work to the MCP. The FSC commander may modify the task organization of the MCP’s maintenance operations based on the maintenance control officer’s analysis of maintenance requirements and the tactical situation. The FSC and field maintenance company evacuate equipment that requires sustainment-level maintenance to a national level provider. This requires coordination between the FSC maintenance control section, brigade staff, and the SPO staff. Field Maintenance Teams The supported battalion’s first level of maintenance support comes from the field maintenance teams of the FSC, which provide field-level maintenance and BDAR for all combat platforms in the supported unit’s maneuver companies. Typically, all or part of an FMT travels with the company teams near the forward line of troops. ABCTs and SBCTs have FMTs in their MTOE. The FSCs in IBCTs utilizes small internal contact teams to facilitate maintenance. These contact teams may only comprise of two personnel. The supported company commander and the maintenance control section set the FMT’s priorities in accordance with the battalion commander’s guidance. The FMT operates under the OPCON of the maneuver company. Maneuver companies’ operational plans must fully integrate FMTs into their operations. FMTs perform repairs as far forward as possible to return equipment to the battle quickly. Forward repairs are generally in the company trains that are located out of direct fire contact behind one or more terrain features. During combat, FMTs perform BDAR, diagnostics, and on-system replacement of line replaceable units. If the tactical situation permits, FMTs focus on completing duties on-site. FMTs carry a limited amount of on board combat spares to facilitate repairs forward. On-board spares are repair parts carried on a platform or a unit’s organic equipment. The technical manual or the commander authorizes units to carry on board spares. The operator or crew manage on board spares, which supply personnel consider