ATP-4-90 Brigade Support Battalion Download
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Support Operations 18 June 2020 3-11 a thorough understanding of the BCT commander’s intent, the BCT mission, and desired end state. The BSB commander restates the BSB mission including his intent, guidance and desired end state. The SPO and the BSB S-3 ensure that sustainment planning is synchronized with the BCT operations concept and across all warfighting functions. This is critical to ensure the concept of sustainment tasks will not conflict with, hinder, or be hindered by BCT operations or control measures. Continuous coordination and communication between the SPO and BCT S-4 throughout the planning process are necessary to maintain awareness of changes in the BCT operations concept. The BSB order uses the standard five-paragraph format with paragraph 3, execution, and associated annexes providing the details of the concept of operations. This describes the manner in which subordinate units cooperate to accomplish the sustainment mission and establishes the sequence of actions the BSB units will use to achieve the end state. It identifies the tasks to be executed, (supply, distribution, medical, maintenance, and recovery), a time and location for execution, and the subordinate units responsible for each task. The BSB SPO and S-3 must be cognizant of BCT task organization changes to make recommendations to the BCT commander on shifting logistics capability from one FSC to another. This is especially critical in supporting the main effort. It may be necessary to move capability (such as field maintenance and recovery) from one FSC to another to support the main effort battalion. During the planning process the BSB SPO identifies sustainment capability gaps and shortfalls and coordinates with the DSB for mitigation. Coordination may include the need for field services, bulk fuel storage and distribution, water purification, bulk water storage and distribution, general supply, transportation, and mortuary affairs support. The concept of operations also includes requirements to coordinate with the DSB or DSSB for supply replenishment. Ideally, it identifies times when and where the DSSB is expected to deliver supplies. Additional order products supporting the concept of operations (such as operation overlays, execution matrices, movement control tables, and traffic control overlays) may be included in annex C as appendices or tabs. The BSB S-3 publishes the operation order that tasks subordinate units to execute the concept of operations. Once execution begins, the BSB S-3 monitors and controls the current operations. The SPO focuses on future operations extending 24 – 48 hours to ensure the BSB is postured to execute sustainment operations to maintain the BCT momentum. Fires brigade BSBs may need to plan as far as 72 - 96 hours out. LOGISTICS SYNCHRONIZATION MATRIX The SPO normally develops a sustainment synchronization matrix to graphically display which support functions are executed when and where during a mission. A typical synchronization matrix displays support functions along the x-axis with time of support displayed along the y-axis. Within the matrix, each block contains unit identification and unit eight-digit map grid coordinates to correspond with a function and a time. This matrix ensures all sustainment functions to be executed and units to be supported (including time and location) during a mission are accounted for. It also ensures there are no conflicts in support. The synchronization may be provided to the BCT S-4 for inclusion in annex F of the BCT operation order. The BSB S-3 includes the synchronization matrix as a tab to annex C, operations, of the BSB operation order. The BSB SPO section uses the logistic status reports and running estimates to update the synchronization matrix for future operations. SUSTAINMENT OVERLAY A sustainment overlay is a graphic representation of the locations of sustainment units, support areas, MSRs, alternate supply routes, transportation facilities, unit boundaries, control measures, supply points, maintenance collection points (MCPs), mortuary affairs collection points, ambulance exchange points, and others. A sustainment overlay accompanies an operations order and be distributed throughout the BCT. The logistics planners of the BSB and BCT must synchronize the sustainment overlay with the operations overlays from the other warfighting functions to build a complete common operational picture for the BCT. The BSB sustainment overlay is captured in annex C appendix 2 of the operation order. ATP 4-90