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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23 CHAPTER 12 COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT 12-1. RESPONSIBILITIES Combat service support (CSS) consists of the logistics and personnel service support required to sustain the cannon battery. Detailed coordination and planning are required to obtain supplies and services. The battery must relinquish CSS assets to the battalion trains to facilitate resupply operations for the battery. Key personnel provide direction and are responsible as follows: a. The battery commander has overall responsibility for CSS operations. When authorized, he is assisted in this area by the battery executive officer. b. The first sergeant of the firing unit coordinates and directs the activities of the supply sergeant, who is the primary executor of the logistics function. The first sergeant ensures the timely evacuation and reporting of casualties; he also requisitions replacements. He is responsible for assigning enlisted personnel within the battery. 12-2. BATTALION TRAIN a. The execution of CSS functions is removed from the BC, as much as possible, and is centralized under the control of the battalion. The CSS responsibility at battery or platoon level is to report and request requirements and to ensure that CSS is properly executed once it arrives in the unit area. b. The battalion commander task-organizes the CSS assets and normally echelons his trains. The combat trains are located 5 to 8 kilometers behind the battery or platoon firing positions. The administration and logistics operation center (ALOC) is the combat trains CP and is the focal point for CSS for the battalion. The ALOC anticipates, requests, coordinates, and supervises CSS execution. c. The battalion field trains collocate with the forward support battalion (FSB) in the brigade support area (BSA). The field trains CP is referred to as the battalion support operations center (BSOC). The BSOC coordinates directly with the ALOC to ensure that the CSS requirements of the batteries are met in a timely manner. Note: CSS in battery-based units is accomplished through the unit trains, which are collocated with the forward area support team (FAST) in the BSA. The light FA battalion logistics CP at the unit trains is the ALOC. There are no combat trains. 12-3. LOGISTICS PACKAGES Normally, support is provided by the automatic push of supplies and equipment to the battery at specified times. The logistics package (LOGPAC) includes most classes of supply (less Class V), mail, and replacement personnel and weapons systems as appropriate. The primary means of receiving a LOGPAC is through a logistics release point (LRP). An LRP is an identifiable location where the battery supply representative or guide can link up with the support package and move it forward to the battery or platoon location. The LRP site is selected by the ALOC and is announced to all elements. Usually, the LRP is located astride the main supply route (MSR), near the combat trains. 12-4. BATTERY INTERFACE WITH THE ALOC a. The CSS necessary to the battery is normally located within the battery area and consists of maintenance, supply, and ammunition sections. All or part of these elements may be organic to the battalion or consolidated under battalion control. Support may be provided by contact teams attached to the battery, or support may be pushed forward to the battery on an as-required basis. The maintenance section may be attached to the firing batteries during tactical operations. In this situation, the battery is configured with either two heavy platoons (maintenance assets split between them), a heavy platoon and a light platoon (maintenance contact team collocated with the heavy platoon), or with two light platoons and a battery trains. The supply section (supply sergeant) can remain with the battery and act as the primary logistics executor for the battery or the supply section can operate from the field trains (unit trains) to coordinate resupply requirements and execute LOGPACs. The food service and ammunition sections are normally consolidated in the field trains. They provide the needed support for the battery, pushing food and ammunition forward to the unit as necessary. 12-1 |