S UPPORT O PERATIONS S ECTION

3-34. The BSB SPO section is responsible for coordinating logistics to the SBCT. This section provides the technical supervision for the external logistics mission of the BSB. It is the key interface between the supported units and the BSB. The SPO performs logistics preparation of the battlefield and advises the commander on the relation of support requirements to support assets available. This section coordinates and directs external support requirements, provides technical expertise to supported units, and synchronizes support requirements to ensure they remain consistent with current and future operations. Requirements are determined in coordination with the brigade S1 and S4, BSB S2/S3, and the logistics representatives of the SBCT customer (combat and combat support) units within the BSA. The SPO plans and monitors support operations and makes necessary adjustments to ensure support requirements are met. The section coordinates with the S1 and S4 to track available logistics assets and coordinates with the S2/S3 for the support locations and schedules of supported units. The SPO monitors daily battle loss reports to anticipate requirements. The section requests and coordinates augmentation with the higher support headquarters. The SPO prepares and distributes the external service support SOP and annexes that provide guidance and procedures to supported units. The section provides input to the supported units on the logistics estimate and service support annex. The SPO is composed of a number of functional cells.

3-35. The SPO acts as the distribution management support element for the BSB, functioning as a distribution management center (DMC). They synchronize operations within the distribution system to maximize throughput and ensure priorities are executed according to the SBCT commander’s guidance. The distribution managers maintain SU of the distribution system and act as the fusion center for distribution-related information. They work closely with the battalion sections and elements, including limited contracting, medical logistics, transportation, and mortuary affairs (MA). Distribution management resources also include a limited management capability to monitor MTS, FBCB2, TC- AIMS II, BCS3, legacy STAMIS/ global combat support system – Army (GCSS-A), and daily battle loss reports to anticipate requirements. Requirements that exceed BSB capabilities are coordinated with higher supporting headquarters and use reach operations. The SPO takes information from the distribution system to create a synchronized picture of the flow of units, personnel, and materiel into and throughout the AO. Distribution managers work closely with other elements of the SPO as well as with the battalion and supporting higher headquarters planners to ensure adequacy of plans and orders. 3-36. The SPO provides collaborative, centralized, integrated, and automated C2 and planning for all distribution management operations within the SBCT. This section collaborates and coordinates with logistics operators in the fields of supply, field services, maintenance, AHS, contracting, financial management (FM), and movement management for the support of all units assigned or attached to the SBCT. Its primary concern is customer support and increasing the responsiveness of support provided by subordinate units. It continually monitors support and advises the BSB commander on the ability to support future tactical operations. With automated intelligence, the SPO has access to substantial information and receives information in near real-time, including coordination with the supporting sustainment and medical brigades, DLA, and USAMC AFSB for external support. The SPO possesses the capability to view the situation and combat power in the maneuver units. This allows the section to identify problems quicker, anticipate many requirements, and allocate resources more efficiently. BCS3 provides the section with the visibility of the logistics status from the BSB to EAB. This staff section serves as the POC for supported units. It directs problems to appropriate technical experts within subordinate cells. The duties and responsibilities of the SPO include the following:

Conduct continuous logistics preparation of the battlefield. Provide execution-focused logistics and AHS support.

Plan and coordinate for aerial resupply and plan for landing zones (LZs). Develop the logistics/AHS synchronization matrix.

Brigade Support Battalion HHC

z Manage all common user land transportation (CULT) vehicle throughput to and retrograde from the maneuver battalions.

z Coordinate and provide technical supervision for the BSB logistics mission including supply activities, maintenance support, HSS, and coordination of transportation assets.

z Identify tentative force structure to be supported.

z Coordinate all logistics/HSS reach operations with supporting higher headquarters

SPO/distribution elements.

z Coordinate with SBCT S3 air for air routes for supply and AHS support. z Provide centralized coordination for units supporting the SBCT.

z Analyze BCS3 reports and contributes to the logistics report.

z Advise the BSB commander on the status of logistics and AHS operations. z Coordinate logistics and AHS support for units passing through the SBCT AO.

z Analyze contingency mission support requirements and plan and coordinate support. z Revise customer lists for support of tactical operations.

z Coordinate external logistics.

z Develop supply, service, maintenance, and transportation support SOPs.

z Establish daily logistics/AHS Support plan and synchronization matrix, planning both current

and future logistics operations.

z Collaborate with SBCT S4 and supported battalion S4s, as required, to determine and

anticipate requirements.

z Monitor daily battle loss reports to anticipate future requirements. z Recommend support priorities to the SBCT S4.

z Synchronize operations within the distribution system to maximize throughput and follow-on

sustainment and ensure priorities are executed according to directives.

z Manage distribution system within the SBCT AO. z Track and investigate high-priority requests.

z Track assets and resources (such as trucks, ambulances, and CRT and BAS workloads). z Prepare and distribute the external service support SOP and annex.

z Coordinate and provide technical supervision for BSB subordinate units.

3-37. The support operations officer must collaborate with the S1, S2/S3, S4, and S6 to establish and manage the BCS3 network and database. The SPO must maintain supply point and maintenance data entered into the system. Specific BCS3 tasks for the SPO are to—

z Set message handling tables to correctly route supply logistics messages.

z Set status thresholds for supply point items.

z Establish reporting times for subordinate field support units.

z Set support relationships to reflect which supply points support which units.

z Establish and set continuity operations (CONOPS) pairing according to guidance from the supporting G4.

3-38. The duties of the material management NCO include the following:

z Conduct continuous logistics preparation of the battlefield.

z Analyze trends and forecasts of requirements for supplies and equipment based on priorities and procedures.

z Coordinate major end item resupply activities within the SBCT.

z Coordinate activities internal to the SPO. z Assist the operations officer in his duties. z Set up the SPO work area of the BSB TOC.

Chapter 3

3-10 FM 4-90.7 10 September 2007

CSS Automation Management Office

3-39. The CSS Automation Management Office (CSSAMO) is assigned to the BSB SPO. The CSSAMO provides customer support in sustaining and operating Army CSS STAMIS. This includes installing, testing, loading, and troubleshooting of CSS software. Additional duties include wireless connectivity, limited hardware repair, user over the-shoulder training, and new equipment fielding. The CSSAMO sets up and maintains the Logistics Network, which includes the CAISI wireless on LAN and the CSS VSAT wide area networks satellite communication systems. The CSSAMO performs functional STAMIS testing, to include automation system application, operating system support, software configuration management and control, database management support, maintenance of data libraries, customer assistance visits, and hardware/software troubleshooting. CSSAMO personnel conduct small computer exchange and line replaceable units (LRUs).

Plans Team

3-40. The plans team consists of a plans officer and a movements supervisor. This team prepares detailed input to OPLANs and FRAGOs for the SPO. The plans officer works closely with the SBCT S4 and supported battalion S4s to coordinate future support requirements and locations with supported units. As required, the plans team collocates with the SBCT S4 to execute concurrent planning operations.

Medical Operations Team

3-41. The medical operations (MEDOPS) team provides AHS input for HSS and FHP to OPLANs/OPORDs. It monitors and reports current AHS readiness of the SBCT and manages Class VIII resupply. This team assists the SBCT surgeon section with coordinating and implementing the SBCT AHS support plan. When required, this team coordinates with EAB for AHS support and augmentation and facilitates patient flow and evacuation operations. The team consists of an operations officer, a medical logistics officer, and a medical operations NCO.

Readiness Support Team

3-42. The readiness support team consists of a support operations maintenance officer and a maintenance management NCO. The team plans and recommends the allocation of maintenance resources in coordination with the supported units. This team also forecasts and monitors the maintenance workload for all supported equipment by type. The team uses Standard Army Maintenance System -2 (SAMS-2) (to be replaced by GCSS-Army) to collect and process maintenance operations data and to assist in managing maintenance operations. (SAMS-2 processes maintenance information required to control workload, manpower, and supplies. SAMS-2 assists in both maintenance and readiness management.) As required, the team coordinates with the SBCT and EAB support to increase unit mission readiness.

Property Book and Class VII Section

3-43. The property book and Class VII section provides the SBCT asset visibility and management. Using the Property Book Unit Supply-Enhanced (PBUSE) system, the section manages requisitions, edits, provides document control, and issues reports. The section also manages the hand-receipt accounts for the brigade units and Class VII items. The property book and Class VII section consists of a property book officer (PBO), a supply sergeant, and a supply accounting NCO.