Rifle Company, Infantry and Airborne Battle Groups - CIE Hub

36. Accompanying Supplies
a. Normally, the company enters an airborne assault operation
with only enough supplies and equipment for initial combat requirements.
The amount is usually limited to that which company
vehicles and personnel can carry. It consists usually of organic
equipment, the prescribed load of ammunition, enough gasoline
per vehicle for 160 km of operation, and one combat ration
per individual.
b. The composition and distribution of the unit prescribed load
depends essentially on the mission, tactical situation, and resupply
situation. In general, the following fundamentals apply:
(1) Accompanying supplies and equipment are combat loaded
in aircraft to facilitate rapid recovery by the using unit
upon landing. Critical items of equipment and supplies
are distributed among aircraft so the loss of a single
aircraft does not result in loss of all such equipment.
(2) Individuals enter the airhead with a minimum of one
ration and a prescribed amount of ammunition for their
individual weapons.
(3) Crew-served weapons are dropped or airlanded with a
prescribed initial supply of ammunition and with the
weapon crew.
(4) Radios of the company and battle group assault nets
(AN/PRC-6 and AN/PRC-10) are carried into the airhead
as part of the individual load of the operator.
(5) Vehicle drivers are dropped near or airlanded with their
vehicles.
(6) Vehicles are dropped or airlanded with their fuel tanks
filled to a safe level (generally 3/} full) and with enough
additional gasoline in 5-gallon cans to provide a total of
160 km of operation.
(7) Organic vehicles, normally used as ammunition carriers,
are loaded with appropriate ammunition.
c. The company and each of its subordinate elements are responsible
for the recovery of their unit prescribed loads.
37. Company Distributing Point (Company Trains)
a. The company commander selects the location for the company
distributing point (trains). Generally, he selects its initial
location during the planning phase of the operation. He tries to
choose an area that is accessible to trucks, provides concealment
AGO 6508B 39