ATP-4-90 Brigade Support Battalion Download
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18 June 2020 ATP 4-90 1-1 Chapter 1 Brigade Support Battalion and the Operational Environment The brigade support battalion (BSB) provides logistics and medical support to a brigade combat team (BCT) and multifunctional support brigades. Brigade combat teams are the primary combined arms force that provide combat power to execute close combat during large-scale combat operations. The BSB is capable of employment across the range of military operations and in any environment. This chapter provides an overview of the BSB’s role and describes how the BSB provides support to brigade combat teams and multifunctional support brigades. It is imperative for BSB commanders and staff to understand the BSB role and responsibilities within the overall combined arms approach to operations. ROLE, CORE COMPETENCIES, AND FUNCTIONS The BSB is the most important sustainment organization in the Army. It supports the brigade combat team and the other brigade formations that constitute the majority of close combat capability in the Army. The BCT area of operations is expansive and its missions diverse. The BSB and its subordinate companies normally operate within the close area of the operational construct closer to the forward line of troops than any other battalion-sized sustainment organization. This places the BSB in operational environments that are highly lethal, rapidly changing, and extremely demanding. This operational environment (OE) requires frequent movement, strong protection, and perseverance. In all, success relies on disciplined leadership founded on mission command, well-trained troops that display strong resilience, and closely synchronized staff operations. Brigade combat teams provide the division commander close combat capabilities to execute missions to achieve military objectives during engagements, battles, and campaigns. There are three standard types of BCTs – the armored brigade combat teams (ABCT), the infantry brigade combat team (IBCT), and the Stryker brigade combat team (SBCT). All six warfighting functions – command and control, movement and maneuver, intelligence, fires, sustainment, and protection – are organic to a BCT. Multifunctional support brigades reinforce brigade combat teams by providing capabilities that enable them to fight as formations: sustainment, field artillery, maneuver support, protection, and aviation. The role of a BSB is to provide sustainment support (logistics and medical support) to a BCT. The BSB core competencies are planning, synchronization, and execution of sustainment to support BCT operations. The BSB performs the following functions: distribution management and operations, transportation, supply support, field maintenance, and Role 2 medical care. Brigade Support Battalion • Role: The BSB provides logistics and medical support to a brigade combat team. • Capability: The BSB is an expeditionary, multifunctional logistics battalion with integrated medical support capable of operating at the tactical level in an assigned area of operations (AO) in support of a BCT. • Parent: Brigade combat team. • Command relationship: Organic to a BCT. • Span of operations: BCT area of operations.