ATP-4-90 Brigade Support Battalion Download
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Brigade Support Battalion and the Operational Environment 18 June 2020 1-19 The GSB is a joint and multinational-capable organization in that it can accept, integrate, and employ the augmentation of assets from other Services and nations. In a joint special operations task force, the GSB commander may assume the role of deputy commander for support in addition to commanding the battalion. As the deputy commander for support, the GSB commander develops the sustainment concept of support for the joint special operations task force, including elements from the Marine Corps Special Operations Command, Naval Special Warfare Command, and Air Force Special Operations Command. Group Support Battalion Capabilities The GSB provides rapidly deployable multifunctional logistics and medical support. In developed theaters of operations, the GSB synchronizes its support with conventional forces. Due to the dispersion of supported units, the GSB coordinates with conventional force sustainment brigades, the expeditionary sustainment command, and the theater sustainment command as needed. This support enables area support to each special operations task force, advanced operations base, and special forces operational detachment. Area support enables special operations forces elements in the vicinity of conventional force bases to receive sustainment support. The special operations sustainment brigade provides a key link to conventional forces by embedding Army special operations forces liaison elements and Army special operations forces support operations teams in tactical and operational conventional force sustainment structures. The GSB and FSCs may require Army logistics augmentation to provide logistics support during sustained operations or for a capability not organic to the special forces group. The augmentation may be necessary when the special operations task forces are set up in undeveloped theaters, when they do not establish special operations task force bases at fixed facilities, or when a high percentage of special forces operational detachments are committed simultaneously. The GSB is often required to execute split-based operations outside the continental United States. Group Support Battalion Task Organization The GSB controls consolidated logistical facilities at the joint special operations task force and projects sustainment operations by ground and air assets. Group support battalions have an HHC, sustainment and distribution company, maintenance company, one technical and information support company, advance skills company, signal detachment, military intelligence company, and a tactical unmanned aircraft system platoon. Medical units providing area support and a special operations medical detachment in the special operations sustainment brigade provide medical coverage to a GSB. FSCs are assigned to special forces battalions. Headquarters and Headquarters Company The HHC of the GSB provides organic battalion-level administrative and supply support for all assigned and attached personnel and coordinates external support for the special forces battalions through the SPO section. The SPO section in the GSB is the hub of multifunctional logistic operations to support the special forces group. It performs continuous sustainment preparation of the OE, develops and synchronizes the overall sustainment support concept, plans and coordinates for ground/air resupply, plans for landing zones in the vicinity of the special operations task force, and develops logistics synchronization matrices. The SPO section plans the allocation of resources in conjunction with the supported chain of command. The SPO staff is made up of operations, intelligence, movement, electronic warfare, procurement, petroleum, ammunition, supply, maintenance, food service, and mobility (including strategic air and ground) experts. The SPO section of the GSB provides centralized, integrated, and automated command, control, and planning for logistical management operations in the special forces group. Sustainment and Distribution Company The sustainment and distribution company is a multifunctional logistics company consisting of supply, service, distribution, and airdrop support platoons. The company provides maintenance, classes I through IX supplies, water production, base support, aerial delivery, ammunition holding, medical support, and transportation. The sustainment and distribution company is independently deployable and capable of ATP 4-90