Combat trainsare organized at company and battalion levels to support combat operations.
(a) Company combat trains. The 1SG controls company combat trains that normally consist of medical and maintenance teams. The remainder of the company logistics assets (supply section) will be at either the battalion field trains or combat trains. The company combat trains will normally operate about 500 to 1,000 meters (or one terrain feature) to the rear of the company to provide immediate recovery, medical aid, and maintenance.
(b) Battalion combat trains. The battalion S4 controls the battalion combat trains. They nor-mally consist of a command post (CP), limited amounts of class III and V (for emergency resupply), medical platoon elements [battalion aid station (BAS)], and elements of the maintenance platoon at the unit maintenance collection point (UMCP). A maintenance support team (MST) from the forward support battalion (FSB) may also be located at the UMCP. The battalion combat trains should be close enough to the front lines to be responsive to the forward units but not within range of enemy direct fire.
Battalion field trains consist of those remaining logistics resources not required for the combat element's immediate or critical support. The HHC commander controls the field trains, and they are usually located in the brigade support area (BSA).
c. The battalion commander often relies on his XO to supervise overall battalion-level logistics operations. Descriptions of the functions of several of the XO's staff members follow:
The adjutant (S1) is responsible for the Personnel and Administration Center (PAC) that provides personnel and administrative support to the battalion's soldiers. This includes maintaining unit strength; managing personnel; and maintaining law and order, morale, and discipline. The S1 coordinates with the medical platoon leader (a physician) to ensure that patient treatment and evacuation are planned and coordinated throughout the task force area.
The operations and training officer (S3) recommends supply and maintenance support priorities for subordinate units. The S3 does this based on his own knowledge of current and future operations and recommendations from the S4.
The supply officer (S4) is the key coordinator of all battalion logistics activities. He plans, coordinates, and directly supervises the logistic effort, including preparing paragraph 4 (concept of support) of the operation order (OPORD). The S4 is responsible for battalion combat train arrangements, security, and movement.
The HHC commander is located in the field trains and acts as the battalion task force logistics coordinator, assisting the S1 and S4 by ensuring that support from the field trains is smooth, timely, and efficient. He is responsible for field train coordination, security, and movement.
The battalion maintenance officer (BMO) is located at the UMCP and plans, coordinates, and supervises the maintenance platoon's maintenance and recovery efforts.
The support platoon leader assists the HHC commander in the field trains' operations. His primary function is organizing the convoy for moving all company LOGPACs for resupply and leading the convoy to a designated logistics release point (LRP).
d. Logistics packages (LOGPACs) provide the most efficient resupply of forward battalion task force units. Under the HHC commander and support platoon leader's supervision, the company supply sergeant organizes LOGPACs in the field trains. LOGPACs are organized for each company team and separate element in the task force and moved forward at least daily for routine resupply. When possible, all LOGPACs are moved forward in a single convoy under the support platoon leader's control. Special LOGPACs may be organized and dispatched as the tactical situation and logistic demand require. The S4 must plan and coordinate LOGPAC operations to ensure they fully support the battalion task force commander's tactical plan.
Task force SOP establishes the standard LOGPAC. Normally, a company team LOGPAC includes the unit supply truck with water trailer carrying rations, mail, any other requested supplies, including replacement personnel; bulk fuel trucks; ammunition trucks; and vehicles carrying additional supplies and replacements as needed. LOGPACs move along the brigade main supply route to an LRP where the unit 1SG or a unit guide takes control of the company LOGPAC. At the company resupply point, the 1SG controls the LOGPAC and conducts resupply operations using one of two methods.
Service-station method. Using the service-station method, individual vehicles move back to a centrally located rearm and refuel point. Based on the enemy situation, one vehicle per platoon or section, or even an entire platoon, will pull out of the positions, resupply, and return to position(s) until the company has been resupplied.
Tailgate method. Using the tailgate method, combat vehicles remain in place or back out of their positions a short distance so the resupply vehicle is not exposed. Fuel and ammunition trucks go to each vehicle position in turn. The tailgate method is normally conducted in an assembly area only. If it is employed in forward positions, terrain must mask the resupply. This procedure takes much longer than the service-station method. Once resupply operations are completed, the 1SG or the supply sergeant returns the LOGPAC to the LRP where it meets up with the support platoon leader. When possible, the reunited task force LOGPAC convoy returns to the field trains together for greater security.