ATP-4-90 Brigade Support Battalion Download
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18 June 2020 ATP 4-90 3-1 Chapter 3 Support Operations Support operations applies the sustainment capabilities against supported unit requirements. The SPO section performs mid-range planning and develops the BSB concept of operations to support the BCT. The SPO section of the BSB serves as the interface between the supported units and the supporting units including the division support brigade. The SPO officer is assigned to the BSB and is not part of the BCT staff. However, the SPO officer serves as the principal staff officer responsible for synchronizing BSB sustainment operations for all units assigned or attached to the BCT. SUPPORT OPERATIONS STAFF Support operations is the staff function of planning, coordinating, and synchronizing sustainment to support units conducting decisive action in an area of operations (ATP 4-93). The SPO section provides centralized and integrated planning for the BSB. Although the section’s structure varies slightly by type of BSB, SPO functions generally include transportation, maintenance, ammunition, medical support (except field artillery and MEB), supply and field services, and distribution operations. The SPO section coordinates and provides technical supervision for sustainment support provided to the BCT. The SPO straddles mid-range (future operations) to short range planning and execution. Figure 3-1 depicts the BSB SPO staff section. Figure 3-1. BSB support operations section THE DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT PROCESS Distribution management is the component of the overall operations process used to develop an executable plan to position units and distribute supplies from the strategic support area throughout a supported theater of operations. The distribution management processes apply to all commodities, at each