ATP-4-90 Brigade Support Battalion Download
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Chapter 5 5-8 ATP 4-90, C1 09 November 2021 AREA SUPPORT Area support is not a support relationship and it is not synonymous with general support. Area support is necessary to support units which are not in the original support concept and for which the order has not established a support relationship. Area support is provided as capabilities allow and is secondary to the priority effort and existing support relationships. Normally, BSB units provide area support to units upon request unless supporting that unit will jeopardize the priority effort. If requested support is beyond supporting unit’s capability or not authorized by supporting unit’s headquarters, the requesting unit will coordinate with its parent unit for support. The BCT may task the BSB to provide area support to division or corps units in, around, and traversing the BCT’s area of operations. The BSB may need to provide area support for small, units such as—a special forces operational detachment A, air defense batteries, or civil affairs. BSB commanders will determine procedures for supporting units with no established support relationship. Alternatively, the BCT commander may require units to verify authority to support and priority for all unplanned units. In that instance, the supporting unit would notify the BSB SPO, who would contact the brigade S-4 and XO for guidance. When providing area support to a unit, the BSB SPO coordinates with the supported unit’s commander, XO, or S-4, to integrate their requirements into the sustainment concept of support and to synchronize support operations.