ATP-4-90 Brigade Support Battalion Download
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Brigade Support Area 18 June 2020 4-3 Controlling a specific task within larger operations such as—the establishment of a BSA, a gap crossing, a passage of lines, a relief in place, or air assault operations. Providing a forward location for issuing orders and performing rehearsals. Controlling decisive operations or specific shaping operations. Performing short-range planning. Contributes to future operations planning. The tactical CP also continues to plan the positioning of units in the BSA and begins to outline the base perimeter in more detail than original plans. Representatives of maneuver battalion field trains and other units begin preparations for occupation, which include selecting sites for crew-served weapons. The tactical CP reports to the BSB CP when it is prepared to begin operations. It also relays any information the commander will need to change movement plans. After the quartering party, the commander divides the other elements of the BSA into serials to perform a tactical road march to the new site. The battalion S-3 divides these vehicle movements into the advance party, a number of main body movements, and a trail party. The main body begins the move in accordance with the operations order issued by the BSB main CP and the unit’s tactical SOP. The BSB S-3 plans the movement of the BSA’s main body echelons by serial. The BSB planners should not include an entire BSB subordinate company's sustainment capability in a single serial since loss of a serial would eliminate all of the BSB’s capability in a functional area. In addition, if an entire company is moving at the same time, it will have difficulty maintaining continuity of support. Instead, each BSB company moves by echelon. BSA Layout The BSB commander, brigade engineer battalion commander, and the BCT S-3 collaborate to determine if all elements in the BSA occupy a single large base or a cluster of smaller bases. The commanders must consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Terrain features, terrain patterns, natural concealment, and soil composition must be considered from practical and security points of view. Bases must be located in areas suitable to execute sustainment operations as well as being defensible. A key factor to consider is whether operations will disturb the terrain pattern enough to make it discernable to enemy surveillance. The goal is not to disturb the terrain pattern at all. The BSB and brigade engineer battalion commander will develop an informed recommendation and the commander designated to control the BSA will present the recommendation to the brigade commander who ultimately decides on the best option to support operations. Single Base Operations If a single large base is used, the unit designated to control the BSA will control the base. That unit commander will determine unit placement within the base. The BSB HHC and BSB A, B, and C companies occupy the base with the brigade engineer battalion and its subordinate elements. In addition, elements from the BCT staff, the brigade alternate CP, signal assets, field trains, and sustainment units from higher headquarters may occupy the base. Depending on mission variables, there could also be elements from Army Materiel Command present. Units occupying the BSA will change in accordance with the BCT mission and task organization. The brigade commander may place attached elements in the BSA during certain phases of an operation or for its duration. A single base is advantageous in terms of simplified C2 and perimeter security. However, a single base containing the number of units that reside in the BSA will be very large and easily detected by enemy reconnaissance. A single base simplifies targeting and attack by enemy artillery, attack aircraft, and ground forces. It also puts a significant portion of the BCT sustainment and support structure at risk from a single attack. Locations of elements in the base will vary depending on mission variables. The BSB commander and S-3 use their best judgment in positioning BSB units and assigning sectors for security of the BSB portion of the base. Troop safety guidelines also influence unit placement. The MATP is often outside the base due to net explosive weight distance factors. ATP 4-90