ATP-4-90 Brigade Support Battalion Download

Chapter 1 1-4 ATP 4-90 18 June 2020 BSB SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS TO PREVAIL IN LARGE-SCALE COMBAT OPERATIONS During large-scale combat operations, brigade combat teams execute decisive action to defeat and destroy enemy ground forces as part of the joint team. Offensive and defensive tasks are the primary focus: BCTS conduct the minimal level of stability-related tasks to comply with the law of armed conflict. The sustainment component of those tasks should be addressed during mission analysis. During large-scale combat operations, the BCT commander uses all available elements of combat power to exploit the initiative, deny enemy objectives, destroy, dislocate, disintegrate, or isolate enemy forces. This typically requires rapid movement through close or complex terrain, including urban areas, during periods of limited visibility. BCT subordinate units move in a dispersed manner to avoid presenting themselves as a lucrative target to enemy fires that adds to the complexity of sustaining them. A BCT may participate in joint forcible entry operations conducted by means of amphibious or airborne assault or a combination of the two. Large-scale combat operations introduce levels of complexity, lethality, ambiguity, and speed to military activities unlike other operations. Large-scale combat operations require the execution of multiple tasks synchronized and converged across multiple domains. Success at the tactical level requires an understanding of how the tactical fight supports the overall strategic objectives and an appreciation that every battle during large-scale combat operations is an extended, multi-domain battle. This understanding informs the BSB concept of support, which largely determines the endurance and tactical reach of the BCT. Large-scale combat operations present the greatest challenge to the BCT. It also presents challenges to the BSB’s ability to support. The operational tempo and lethality, which create significantly higher supply consumption and maintenance requirements, place extreme demands on sustainment organizations. The BCT will move rapidly over extended distances, especially during offensive operations. The BSA will displace frequently and must keep pace with the BCT while simultaneously executing required sustainment support. In operations where the BCT is conducting joint forcible entry, the BSB executes the forcible entry operations in support of the BCT. There is no sanctuary area within the BCT or division area of operations. The enemy can target the BSA and sustainment units throughout the depth of the AO with direct and indirect fires as a means to cause BCTs to culminate. BSBs should assume they are under observation and plan to displace, disperse, and react to all of the eight forms of contact during operations. Anticipating the likely OE facilitates proactive planning. Effectively reacting to contact requires drills understood in each of the BSB's subordinate elements. BSB SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS TO CONSOLIDATE GAINS Operations to consolidate gains are the activities to make permanent any temporary operational success and establish the conditions for a sustainable, stable OE allowing for a transition of control to legitimate authorities (ADP 3-0). Consolidation of gains is continuous throughout operations and is conducted by BCTs through decisive action. Consolidation of gains generally occurs simultaneously with large-scale combat, beginning in a BCT AO with similar characteristics as an AO in the close area. Operations in the consolidation area likely involve close combat operations against bypassed enemy forces and remnants of defeated units. BCT sustainment requirements initially remain similar to what they were in LSCO until the focus of operations transitions primarily to stability. The BSB anticipates the differing sustainment requirements associated with the transition to a stability focus. BCTs deliberately plan, prepare for, and execute consolidating gains to capitalize on successes attained during an operation. Tasks may include establishing area security, reorganizing subordinate units as necessary to maintain combat power, ensuring all units are in the proper tactical position, reestablishing communications with all units, performing personnel recovery as required, and executing minimum essential stability tasks. The BCT task organization may change to include horizontal and vertical engineering, civil affairs, and communications units as well as protection assets and other critical stability-related capabilities. The BCT considers these task organization changes when requesting or deploying follow-on sustainment forces and supplies. The BSB executes or coordinates execution of all the sustainment functions for the BCT during operations to consolidate gains. The BSB commander and staff also execute consolidation of gains activities to ensure any sustainment successes are solidified. During this time, the BSB commander and staff also plan and prepare for upcoming missions and ensures subordinate unit are prepared to execute required support.