Practical Sustainment Concepts for the Non-Linear Battlespace

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Figure 10: The Deployment of the A3 in the Non-Linear Battlespace. In this case, the manoeuvre elements (in green) are engaged in the fight, and all coordination of integral and close support is provided by the deployed A3. In the course of OP KHAIR KOWAI in September 2007, an A3 was deployed in support of a BG operation for the seizure of Mount GUNDAY GHAR. The A3 consisted of a Bison with C4ISR4 capabilities, three force protection vehicles (RG-31s), several pallet loading system (PLS) vehicles and recovery resources. In the course of the battle, the A3 deployed CLPs from within its organization in order to replenish manoeuvre elements and to recover damaged vehicles along the main axis. Also, by providing frequent situation reports to Log Ops, the NSE could predict materiel requirements minute-by-minute and project CLPs from KAF in order to maintain support continuity. The A3 deployed for four days, the time required to take the mountain, before dissolving back into the other nodes. Following the battle, the BG expressed its extreme contentment with the A3 concept, as it greatly assisted the manoeuvre commander in the development of his own sustainment plan. For subsequent operations, the BG made frequent requests for the A3. However, the NSE CO had to explain to the BG that the deployment of the A3 could only be sustained for limited periods, as the resources had to be generated by adjacent nodes. The A3 are not often required as most operations take place within 10 km of any node. This closeness is conducive to a very small A1 echelon, and all other support is only called upon as required. The second tactical bound is essentially in the FOB itself. There is no requirement to augment manoeuvre elements, as they are protected by virtue of their mobility. In this context, it was only in critically important operations that the A3 could be deployed, where a reduction of support could be accepted elsewhere, otherwise the impact was too great. Nonetheless, OP KHAIR KOWAI demonstrated undisputedly the relevance and effectiveness of such a concept in the non-linear battlefield. Sustainment Command and Control The incorporation of the network model into sustainment doctrine would be useful to the planning and coordination of COIN operations. Where operations are more frequently occurring in these environments, the establishment, organization and equipment of the sustainment organization must be configured accordingly. Concepts such as the Admin Coy, the form of the J4 Staff and S4 staffs in the units, support relationships, and the sustainment organization and establishment should perhaps be revised with this concept in mind. The incorporation of this more representative model 56 Canadian Army Journal Vol. 11.2 Summer 2008
for sustainment doctrine will permit a more comprehensive planning effort for future operations. Functional and Integrated Command and Control Though the administration and management of nodes may vary from one organization to another, resources lodging on the node tend to maintain command, control and administration along functional lines. Sustainment detachments deployed on nodes are most effective when pooling their resources together in a collective approach to sustainment, while providing service generally to lodging units. It would be inefficient to consider the establishment of separate kitchens, medical stations and maintenance detachments for each unit that has a section sized organization deployed in a given node. Even sustainment organizations controlled by units other than the NSE, be they temporary or permanent attributions, tend to combine their efforts with other in-situ sustainment detachments to provide service generally to all lodging units. The combination of effort of collocated resources can lead to better success in achieving priorities at formation level. The mounting and initial establishment in a non-contiguous theatre would likely follow the same logic. Where the organization is deployed across few, larger nodes, the chain of command would consequently follow functional lines, and the employment would be coordinated largely on a technical level. As development progresses, manoeuvre units establish nodes across the sustainment network, each requiring a task tailored sustainment detachment. The generation of these integrated sustainment teams (IST) can only be coordinated centrally by Log Ops, as the functional Commanders lack the situational awareness with supported units. However, Log Ops neither commands nor administers, so some parallel command structure is required in order to manage resources that are deployed in the various nodes. IST, which may be at section or platoon level, can be grouped geographically into sub-units in a completely separate command structure. The functional chain of command must still exist, in order to coordinate and advise the commander from a technical or functional point of view. As was suggested earlier, COIN operations could lend themselves to the division of organization between nodes and links. Consequently, it could be possible to generate a separate link organization that would be responsible for the tactical movement between the FOBs. It would have elements of force protection, transport, recovery, medevac and mobility resources that would focus on the conduct of manoeuvre operations, all coordinated by Log Ops along the operational chain. Figure 11 shows the difference between the functional chain of command for the technical generation of sustainment effort, which is not at all based on any point in time or space, and the integrated chain that is responsible for the application of sustainment in specific times and spaces. Canadian Army Journal Vol. 11.2 Summer 2008 57
Page 1 and 2: PRACTICAL SUSTAINMENT CONCEPTS FOR
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Practical Sustainment Concepts for the Non-Linear Battlespace

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