FM 100-5 Operations - Survival Ebooks Military Manuals Survival ...

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMOPERATIONSINTEGRATIONTactical and operational success depend on fullyintegrated concepts of logistics and operations. Integrationduring planning ensures support of operationsduring execution. Logistics capabilities often affectthe feasibility of a concept of operations. Based onthe theater strategic and operational concept, logisticiansdevelop a logistics concept that gives commandersthe greatest possible freedom of action and enhancesthe agility and versatility of an operation. Supportingunit commanders are bold and innovative intheir support operations and contribute to surprise byhelping the supported force do more than the enemybelieves possible. Even deception plans should incorporatelogistics activities.Since Army forces usually operate as part of jointand combined forces, integrating support operationsmay yield efficiencies not otherwise achievable. TheArmy seeks opportunities for such integration throughoutthe planning and execution of operations by determiningwho can best provide support. The Army continuesto promote standardization and interoperabilityof its forces and equipment with other services andallies.CONTINUITYAny interruption in logistics operations diminishesthe combat power of a force. During operations, committedforces require continuous supply and servicesupport to sustain their fighting strength and agility.Continuity of support is the lifeblood of combat operationsat all levels. For example, a tactical plan shouldprovide for logistics support to friendly units that maybe isolated by enemy action. This can be done byensuring that CSS capabilities accompany isolated ordetached units or by specifically planning resupply,health service support, and personnel replacementoperations.While both combat operations and logistics canvary in intensity, combat operations may enter periodsof relative inactivity; logistics operations do not.Commanders use every opportunity to increase sustainingcapabilities. When the pace of combat activitydiminishes, CSS units replenish their capabilitieswhile continuing support to combat units.Continuity requires that the logistics effort neverbecome hostage to a single source or mode of support.It means adapting to changing missions and prioritiesquickly and adjusting to temporary or permanent lossesof key seaports and airports and LOCs. Forward-positionedbases and alternate facilities enhance continuityof support. These options may require additionalconstruction or a reduction in current consumption.Force-projection operations require balancing the costof these options against the risk of interrupting continuityof support.RESPONSIVENESSThe logistics system must react rapidly in crises.Moreover, seldom will requirements for units and suppliesbe known. Logistics commanders and staffs mustadapt units to requirements, often on short notice. Tailoringorganizations will be the rule. Often units willoperate with troop lists different from normal garrisonand home station training situations. Provisional unitsmight need to be formed. Logistics units, like combatand CS units, will frequently be task-organized forforce-projection requirements that will be difficult toforecast with complete accuracy. Training CSS andbase development engineering units to respond on shortnotice and surge their support for brief periods developsquick reaction to increased demands. Such quickreactionefforts may temporarily disrupt long-rangelogistics planning but are often required to win.At the operational level, the logistics system meetssimilar extraordinary demands on an even greater scale.Efforts to reestablish a ruptured defense or exploit atactical success may require relocation of logisticsbases, repositioning of forward health service support,major redirection of LOCs, reallocation of transportationand construction means, or short-notice transferof replacement personnel or units from one part of thetheater to another. The mental and physical ability tocope with such requirements and the discipline to refocusin a crisis is built into the logistics system byeffective organization, careful planning, solid training,and strong leadership. Supply discipline includesadhering to movement tables, declaring and distributingexcess materials, and observing senior commanders’logistics priorities. Supply discipline contributesto a responsive logistics system.Responsive logistics, especially when time or otherresources are constrained, relies greatly on worldwide,assured communications and automation networks.These capabilities assist in integrating the full spectrumof logistics functions into a single system. Thismay eliminate unnecessary accounting, bookkeeping,and information processing during combat operations.12-4