FM-3-81 Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Download
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Appendix E E-8 FM 3-81 09 November 2021 BASE DEFENSE OPERATIONS CENTER E-32. A base defense operations center is a command and control facility established by the base commander to serve as the focal point for base security and defense (JP 3-10). Other contingency locations may also establish BDOCs as the situation requires. A base camp’s commander provides and exercises base camp defense through a BDOC. Through the BDOC, the base camp commander plans, directs, integrates, coordinates, and controls all base camp defense efforts (see ATP 3-90.20). E-33. The BDOC resembles a typical command post. A command post is a unit headquarters where the commander and staff perform their activities (FM 6-0). Personnel and equipment are arranged to facilitate coordination, the exchange of information, and timely decision making. Well-designed BDOCs integrate command and staff efforts by matching personnel, equipment, information systems, and procedures against their internal layout. (See ADP 6-0 or FM 6-0 for more information on command posts.) The protection functions of a BDOC include the following: Plan and execute force protection, AT, and physical security operations according to published guidance. Conduct a protection working group and threat working group. Ensure that all units within the perimeter conduct active and passive security measures. Monitor and direct security forces. E-34. The composition of the BDOC depends on the combination of forces involved and may include other Services and multinational, host-nation, and other U.S. agency personnel, depending on the combination of forces located at each base camp. Multi-Service, other agency, host-nation, and multinational representation should be part of the BDOC when elements of their armed forces, police, or paramilitary forces are directly involved in the overall base defense effort, or when they are a major tenant organization. The BDOC normally consists of three primary sections: command, intelligence, and operations. There may be additional sections designated as deemed necessary (see ATP 2-22.2-1). E-35. Similar to a BDOC, the BCOC is a command and control facility that serves as the base cluster commander’s focal point for defense and security of the base cluster (see JP 3-10). The BCOC is established to control several subordinate base camps that may be grouped together in a cluster for mutual support for protection. The base and base cluster commanders also coordinate and integrate security operations with the BCOC as appropriate. Other contingency locations may also need to coordinate with BCOCs as the situation requires. Such coordination normally involves TACON over forces assigned or attached to the base primarily for the purpose of base defense and security. The base commander may also exercise TACON over other forces (such as medical or emergency services) residing on the base for primary purposes other than base defense. For example, when these forces perform functions related to base defense or local security missions as part of the overall base defense plan, they typically fall under TACON of the base commander (see ATP 3-90.20). This TACON relationship may not exist at other contingency locations; the echelon (corps or division) commander should provide guidance in those situations. The BDOC typically conducts 24-hour operations. Basic BDOC functions include the following: Provide organization for coordinated base camp security. Prepare plans to implement the commander’s base camp defense guidance. Monitor assigned, attached, and tenant-unit forces and resources and provide the commander information to aid, allocate, and move forces and materiel to meet base defense requirements. Inform the base commander of security concerns. Develop and execute a reconnaissance and surveillance plan to ensure proper security from standoff threats within base camp boundaries, and coordinate with the base camp and base cluster commanders for the area outside the base camp boundary. Coordinate with the base camp commander or tenant commander to deconflict security activities from combat and stability operations. Identify and share emergency response and area damage control capabilities, to include medical support, engineering, EOD, and firefighting, as required.