ATP-4-90 Brigade Support Battalion Download
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Brigade Support Battalion and the Operational Environment 18 June 2020 1-17 field artillery brigade BSB an may include modular supply companies, transportation companies, and ammunition companies. Company-sized medical units will normally not be attached to a field artillery brigade BSB, though a smaller medical detachment may be attached as the mission requires. Headquarters and Service Company The field artillery brigade BSB has an organic headquarters and service company (HSC) which consists of two platoons: the headquarters platoon and a support platoon. The HSC includes a SPO section responsible for planning and coordinating support requirements for subordinate field artillery organizations. The SPO communicates support requirements to the brigade S4 who, in turn, passes the requirements to the corps G4 for planning. The SPO coordinates replenishment for the field artillery brigade through a supporting sustainment brigade identified as providing general support to the field artillery brigade in the corps operation order. If additional supply and distribution capability is attached to the BSB, the BSB S3 and SPO execute distribution for the field artillery brigade. The S3 and SPO collaborate to develop and synchronize a distribution plan as previously described in this chapter and chapter 3 of this ATP. The HSC support platoon has a distribution section, an ammunition transfer and holding point (ATHP) section, a maintenance control section, a field maintenance section, and a service and recovery section. The HSC is capable of supporting itself, the brigade HHB, and signal company but is not designed to support the firing battalions or FSCs. Distribution to the FSCs is via a corps CSSB either through unit distribution or supply point distribution. Forward Support Companies There is one forward support company for each field artillery battalion in the field artillery brigade. The forward support companies are assigned to the field artillery brigade. The brigade commander, with advice from the BSB and firing battalion commanders, will determine the appropriate command relationship for the FSCs. Mission and operational variables are considered when determining the command relationship. Normally, the FSCs are attached to the field artillery battalions because they operate in dispersed fashion and regularly displace their firing batteries during combat. The FSCs may be attached to the BSB if the situation dictates. The FSC commander is responsible for executing the sustainment plan for the fires battalion in accordance with the supported fires battalion commander’s guidance. The FSCs have a headquarters section, distribution platoon, and a maintenance platoon. The distribution platoon consists of battalion and battery support squads. The maintenance platoon consists of a platoon headquarters, maintenance control section, maintenance section, service and recovery section, and the field maintenance teams. MANEUVER ENHANCEMENT BRIGADE The MEB is a multifunctional mission command headquarters that provides task organized forces to support Army division, echelon above division, joint, interagency, or multinational headquarters. Task organization is based on mission requirements for the echelon that it is supporting. The MEB operates across the range of military operations, reinforce, or complement decisive action. The MEB is designed as a headquarters capable of performing command and control warfighting function tasks with a multifunctional brigade staff organized to execute maneuver support operations. The MEB is not a maneuver brigade although it can be assigned an AO and control terrain. The MEB receives and commands forces to conduct operations. MEBs provide capabilities to enhance freedom of movement and maneuver for operational and tactical commanders. For more information on MEB, refer to FM 3-81, Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. Beyond its three organic units – HHC, network support company, and BSB – the MEB has no fixed structure. The MEB requires force tailoring or task organization for every mission it performs. The organization is tailored to respond to different mission variables. A MEB usually includes a mix of several types of battalions and separate companies, which may include civil affairs, CBRN, engineer, explosive ordnance disposal, and military police units. It may also contain military intelligence assets, a tactical combat force, and air and missile defense units. ATP 4-90