THE FORWARD SUPPORT BATTALION
This battalion has an HHD, a supply company, maintenance company, and medical company. As part of the maintenance company, the FSB is assigned tank, mechanized infantry, and artillery system support teams (SSTs). The FSB maintenance company has one team to support each maneuver battalion assigned to the supported brigade as well as the DS artillery battalion. The FSB's primary role is to provide DS to the brigade and division slice units operating in the brigade area. This role entails a dual requirement. First, the FSB must plan to support future operations. It must anticipate requirements and incorporate planning guidance.
In addition, the FSB must support current operations and monitor the support plan's implementation. This requirement involves continuous coordination. The FSB must actively monitor all support operations in conjunction with the brigade S4. It makes adjustments as required to ensure support requirements are met. For example, it is not enough for the FSB to plan when supported task force heavy expanded mobility tactical trucks (HEMTTs) should pick up fuel. If the HEMTTs do not show up, the FSB must know about it and coordinate with the brigade S4 to find out what the problem is and what it needs to do to resolve it.
The FSB also provides limited support to nondivisional units, such as corps artillery and engineer battalions, located in the brigade AO. The FSB is the single point of contact for support in the brigade AO. However, to support nondivisional units, corps logistic task force elements operating in the division area must augment the FSB. In addition, the FSB is responsible for base cluster defense of the BSA and operates under brigade command for this mission. the FSB layout.
The FSB performs its mission if it supports the brigade's course of action and meets the commander's guidance. Specifically, it supports the brigade and reinforcing/supporting units by providing or coordinating to provide all classes of supply, as well as maintenance, medical, field services, and transportation support, in the amounts and at the times specified in the brigade service support annex and the FSB SOP. It must replenish its supported units' basic loads of all supplies except repair parts. It must also replenish prescribed loads of maintenance-significant class II and IV items and repair parts. Equipment must be maintained to meet prescribed operational levels. Class VII items are distributed in accordance with (IAW) the brigade commander's priorities. The FSB coordinates transportation requirements with the DISCOM's movement control officer (MCO) to meet the brigade's needs. Finally, medical evacuation and treatment operations and field services activities must be coordinated between the brigade and FSB to ensure brigade needs are met. Specific information on the FSB elements appears .
THE MAIN SUPPORT BATTALION.
The MSB is the main logistic and medical operator in the division rear. It supports units in the division rear and provides designated and reinforcing support to the FSBs. The battalion provides DSM, supply, transportation, and medical support to units for a variety of missions. When the battalion is augmented, it also provides field services. Under MOADS/PLS, the MSB does not provide class V support to the division. The MSB effectively manages subordinate units. It also directs and coordinates security for these units.
One MSB is organic to the DISCOM. The command element supervises, directs, and coordinates assigned and attached units that run the support operations in and around the DSA. MSB layout within the DSA. The MSB has the following units:
! HHD.
! S&S company.
! Transportation motor transport (TMT) company.
! Light and heavy maintenance companies.
! Missile support company.
! Medical company.
Commanding, controlling, and coordinating the many MSB elements with their diverse missions present a challenge for the MSB commander and staff. They must perform the logistic tasks of fueling, fixing, moving, and sustaining the soldier. They must integrate these tasks into a comprehensive battle support plan. The thrust is to push CSS as far forward as possible.
Division logistic and medical elements are integrated into the MSB's C2 system. This allows the division to shift its support effort to the critical place and time to influence the battle. For example, MSB elements can and do routinely operate outside of the DSA. Some elements habitually support specific division units. Others may be ad hoc formations to reinforce a main effort sector or an FSB. The DISCOM HQ coordinates support, organizes for combat, assigns locations, and specifies command relationships after thorough consultation with the MSB, DMMC, FSBs, division ASB, and supported units.
The MSB performs its mission if it supports the division's course of action and meets the DISCOM commander's guidance. Specifically, it supports the division rear and reinforces units by providing or coordinating to provide all classes of supply, as well as maintenance, medical, field services, and transportation support, in the amounts and at the times specified in the MSB SOP. It must replenish its supported units' basic loads of all supplies, including repair parts. It must also replenish prescribed loads of maintenance-significant class II and IV items and maintain equipment to meet prescribed operational levels. It distributes class VII items IAW the division commander's priorities. The MSB coordinates transportation requirements with the MCO to meet the division's needs. Finally, it coordinates medical evacuation and treatment operations and field services activities with the DISCOM support operations branch to meet division rear needs. For specific information on the MSB.
THE DIVISION AVIATION SUPPORT BATTALION .
The division ASB has a headquarters and supply company, a ground maintenance company, and an AVIM company. The battalion provides dedicated CSS to the heavy division aviation brigade. During combat operations, the ASB normally is collocated with the aviation brigade. Like the FSB, the ASB must anticipate requirements and incorporate planning guidance to successfully accomplish its mission. Unlike the FSB, the ASB has no medical capability. The aviation brigade and division ASB (normally located in the vicinity of the DSA) receive area medical support from the MSB medical company. Division cavalry ground units receive area medical support from the nearest FSB medical company. The division ASB units' missions follow:
a. The headquarters and supply company provides the aviation brigade with classes I, II, III (for both ground and air), IV, and VII. The division ASB also operates a consolidated battalion mess. This company is not adequately equipped to support the division cavalry squadron's ground units during combat operations. The division cavalry ground units normally will get CSS from the nearest FSB. The division ASB will provide CSS to division cavalry aviation units.
b. The ground maintenance company provides the aviation brigade with ground vehicle maintenance, consolidated class IX for air and ground repair parts, an MST for the division cavalry squadron, backup ground vehicle recovery and evacuation, and consolidated unit maintenance for the division ASB.
c. The AVIM company consists of a helicopter systems repair platoon, an aircraft maintenance repair platoon, an aircraft services/fuel section, an armament/avionics repair platoon, production and quality control sections, and a maintenance test flight section. The aircraft maintenance company provides the aviation brigade with AVIM support, aircraft recovery, and backup aviation unit maintenance (AVUM) support.