fm 44-100 us army air and missile defense operations

FM 44-100
Continuity
Responsiveness
Improvisation
7-4
7-16. Any interruption in CSS operations diminishes the combat power of a
force. During operations, committed forces require continuous supply and
service support to sustain their fighting strength and agility. Continuity of
support is the lifeblood of combat operations at all levels.
7-17. Combat operations and support operations can vary in intensity.
Combat operations may enter periods of relative inactivity but CSS
operations are continuous in nature. Commanders use every opportunity to
increase sustaining capabilities. When the pace of combat activity
diminishes, units reconstitute their capabilities. Continuity of support with a
responsive CSS system increases the probability of operational success.
7-18. The CSS system must react rapidly in a crisis. Seldom will all support
requirements be known in advance. ADA commanders and staffs must adapt
units to unanticipated requirements, often on short notice. ADA units will
frequently be task-organized for force-projection operations. CSS
requirements will be difficult to forecast with complete accuracy. Training
CSS units to respond on short notice and surge their support for brief periods
develops the ability to react quickly to increased demands. The mental and
physical ability to cope with such requirements and the discipline to refocus
in a crisis is built into the CSS system by effective organization, careful
planning, solid training, and strong leadership. Supply discipline includes
adhering to movement tables, declaring and distributing excess materials,
and observing senior commander's CSS priorities. Supply discipline
contributes to responsive logistics. Spares stock data will assist in parts
redistribution and therefore improve operational availability.
7-19. Improvisation is the ability to make, invent, arrange, or fabricate what
is needed out of what is on hand. Successful CSS operations adapt to
changing situations. Plans that are disrupted may require improvisation.
Battle damage assessment and repair (BDAR) is one process used by soldiers
to make the best use of what they have on-hand to fix equipment in the field.
Units can order battle damage repair kits as Class IV that are used by
maintenance teams to make quick fixes on the battlefield.
7-20. Commanders and planners continually review planning factors and
consumption rates, maintain asset visibility in transit, and revise CSS
planning estimates. The use of contracted services, and coalition or host
nation assets to overcome CSS shortcomings can allow ADA units to continue
operations in spite of austere CSS support. Logistical improvisation will often
spell the difference between success and failure of operations.
THEATER SUPPORT STRUCTURE
7-21. The CSS needs of the force determine the CSS structure. The JFC may
designate a joint rear area (JRA) to facilitate protection and operation of
installations and forces that provide logistics support to combat operations.
The JFC may additionally organize the theater into a theater base, a