FM-3-81 Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Download
Page 69 of 188
Support Area Operations 09 November 2021 FM 3-81 3-11 3-34. The corps commander can direct maneuver forces to reinforce the support area security mission as a TCF. If there is a Level III threat in the corps support area that needs more than a single battalion size TCF to mitigate the risk to an acceptable level, then the corps commander should allocate a BCT to this mission. The United States Air Force tactical airspace control personnel joint terminal attack controllers are essential to the ground commander’s ability to employ close air support mission aircraft in the support area. DIVISION 3-35. The division support area is the area in which the majority of the division’s sustainment functions occur. The division support area also facilitates the positioning, employment, and protection of resources required to sustain, enable, and support divisional forces. 3-36. The division OPORD establishes area security responsibilities for the division support area. The support area commander will have TACON of all ground forces within or transiting that area for security and defense. The order specifies the commander’s broader TACON authority for the protection, security, defense, movement control, and terrain management. 3-37. When assigned to the MEB, the division support area becomes the MEB AO. To accomplish all of the doctrinal responsibilities associated with controlling an AO, the MEB requires augmentation consisting of Army and Air Force airspace control personnel. Units located within or transiting the division support area are responsible for self-protection against Level I threats. They must coordinate with the MEB for maneuver, troop movements, and indirect fires outside of the established perimeter of any base camp to which they are assigned. 3-38. In the absence of a MEB, the division commander assigns the mission to a BCT commander. If the division commander assigns the support area to a functional brigade, significant augmentation is required for the functional brigade to accomplish all of the doctrinal responsibilities associated with controlling an AO, such as augmenting personnel and key systems to control fires and airspace. The division commander remains responsible for all unassigned areas within their AO that are not assigned to a subordinate unit, such as BCTs or the MEB.