Protecting the Soft Spot: The Brigade's Combat Service Support in Airland Operations

Abstract

This monograph seeks to answer the question of how we can reduce the risk to the heavy brigade's sustainment system during nonlinear close operations when the enemy has advanced technology. The analysis focuses on the effects of nonlinear close operations, advanced long range target acquisition and weapons technology, and the current vulnerability of the Army's combat service support vehicles. The recommendations meet three criteria: allow the support units to survive, accomplish their support mission, and allow maneuver commanders to generate maximum combat power at the decisive point. The ways to reduce the risk to the brigade's support units include the factors of organization, equipment, training, and tactics. This study formulates recommendations by analyzing a historical case study, current doctrine, and papers related to the Army's future doctrine. The historical case study examines Combat Command A-of the Fourth Armored Division during the encirclement of Nancy in September 1944. Current doctrine used includes FM 100-5, Operations (1986), and relevant combat service support and maneuver doctrine.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 22, 1991
Accession Number
ADA258310

Entities

People

  • Victor M. Robertson Iii

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ammunition
  • Armored Vehicles
  • Artillery
  • Attack Helicopters
  • Case Studies
  • Combat Areas
  • Combat Forces
  • Combat Operations
  • Combat Support
  • Combat Vehicles
  • Command And Control
  • Fire Support
  • Indirect Fire
  • Military History
  • Second World War
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Military Science
  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.