FM-3-81 Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Download
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Appendix C C-6 FM 3-81 09 November 2021 RAILWAY AND RAILHEAD SECURITY C-23. Support area commanders support the security of railheads, terminals, and railways that run through the support area and are critical to the forward movement of personnel, equipment, and materiel from the echelon (corps and division) support areas. As with air and sea ports and terminals, railheads and terminals may be collocated with a base camp located in the support area. C-24. Security forces operating in the support area support Army rail operations through local and area security. As with planning to support other intermodal operations, the support area commander and security forces need to understand the basics of those operations. (See ATP 4-14 for more information on Army rail operations.) It is important to understand the critical assets associated with rail operations (tracks, locomotives and rolling stock, switching modes, tunnels and bridges, marshalling yards) and the items (materiel and personnel) that are being transported. The basics associated with route security apply to the tracks, while those associated with local security apply to the protection of sites and specific points within the rail system. Military police may also be involved in providing security as part of the security force on the rolling stock itself (to include armored trains and cars), and many of the basics associated with convoy security will apply. See ATP 3-39.30 and FM 3-39 for additional information on military police support to the security of critical sites. C-25. Security forces support to rail security operations is to prevent the theft, damage, and interference of rail operations during the transport phase. Therefore, security forces support of rail security focuses on high- value or sensitive military equipment. The overall rail security is the responsibility of the train commander or shipper; however, security forces are integrated into rail security if a viable threat has been identified or the sensitivity of the cargo requires additional trained security personnel. C-26. When planning for security forces support in rail security operations, security forces need to consider host-nation security regulations and close coordination with host-nation law enforcement agencies or other regulatory agencies. Planning considerations for security forces rail security activities include— Developing a security plan for rail transport, including establishing preventive security assumptions/measures to ensure that transport is undisturbed. Establishing initial security rules before the rail operations begin; for example, military working dog teams or security forces conduct security checks of rail wagons and/or stocks and supplies. Obtaining a detailed threat assessment of the route before movement to identify likely threats and, based on the threat assessment, applying the correct level of security measures for rail operations. Conducting route/railway reconnaissance, if necessary. Coordinating and liaising with host-nation law enforcement activities and host-nation security forces before movement to minimize vulnerable points. When feasible, a detailed movement plan should be given to allied forces. Defining where security monitoring/patrolling are required. Determining host-nation and other national border-crossing requirements to ensure undisturbed transport via crossing points. PIPELINE SECURITY C-27. Pipelines assist in maintaining storage levels to meet daily demand and required stock objectives for the distribution of petroleum. Pipelines reduce the number of convoys and personnel required in distributing the product. The support area commander tasks security forces to provide pipeline security through local and area security tasks to protect pipelines. Security forces (normally military police) conduct mobile security patrols and employ sensors and unmanned aircraft systems to detect and defeat Level I and Level II enemy threats disrupting pipeline distribution.