text: Chapter 9
  SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR AREA SUPPORT
  9-48. The BSB provides area support to units, not organic to the BCT, when tasked by the BCT commander.
  Area support is a task assigned to a sustainment unit directing it to support units in or passing through a
  specified location (ATP 4-90). The BSB is not organically equipped or intended to provide area support to
  non-BCT units for long-term operations, but mission will often require the BSB to provide support to units
  operating in the BCT area of operations. The BSB provides area support on an exception basis when they
  have the capability and capacity to do so. Units in the BCT’s area of operations vary widely in type and size,
  such as aviation assets or special forces units. These increased support requirements put a greater burden on
  the BCT and BSB sustainment staffs and assets. Requirements to support various, and sometimes-unique
  elements, create complex problem sets for BSB commander or support operations officer. When tasked to
  provide support to non-BCT units and support requirements exceed capabilities, the S-4 and BSB must
  coordinate with division,and the DSB. (See ATP4-90 and FM4-0.)
  Note.While BSBs will often have a need to support non-BCT units, it is important to remember,
  a BSB’s capacity is purposely limited in order to maintain its mobility. Any significant increase
  in support requirements could have negative effects on the BSB’s primary mission to the BCT.
  9-49. Army special operations forces are an example of units that may operate or transit through the BCT’s
  area of operations but not in direct support of the BCT. Special operations units have organic support
  capabilities but are reliant upon regional or combatant command theater of operations infrastructure. These
  units may rely on the BSB to provide area support to special operations forces operating in the BCT area of
  operations. The BSB support operations officer, in conjunction with the BCT S-4, will coordinate support as
  required. (See ATP 3-05.40 for additional information.)
  9-50. The BCT will often operate with unified action partners. When the BCT receives capabilities attached
  from the unified action partner, the BSB support operations officer must understand the task organization
  and the command relationship, often detailed in an Acquisition Cross-Servicing Agreement. The support
  operations officer coordinates with supporting organizationson what organic support they are bringing with
  them. The support operations officer employs those capabilities so that they integrate with BSB capabilities.
  In the event the unified action partners arrive with no support, the BSB support operations officer coordinates
  with the DSB for additional capabilities. (See FM 4-0, JP 3-08, and JP 3-16 for additional information.)
  OPERATION PROCESS
  9-51. BCT planners and staff fully integrate sustainment planning throughout the operations process with
  the sustainment concept of support synchronized within the BCT’s concept of operations. Planning is
  continuous and concurrent with ongoing support preparation, execution, and assessment. The BSB must
  conduct parallel planning with the BCT staff in order to provide a supportability analysis for each course of
  action (COA) to ensure all COAs are feasible. The BSB commander develops mutual trust and cohesion by
  clearly communicating the BCT commander’s intent through mission-type orders and encouraging
  acceptable risk-identified by the commander, while providing innovative solutions to logistic, financial,
  personnel, and health services support to the BCT. Key sustainment planners at all levels, ethically,
  effectively, and efficiently manage the resources entrusted to them. They actively participate in the military
  decision-making process (MDMP) to include war-gaming. Through a running estimate, sustainment planners
  continually assess the current situation to determine if the current operation is proceeding according to the
  commander’s intent and if planned future operations are supportable. (See chapter 4for information on the
  operations process.)
  PLANNING
  9-52. Sustainment planning supports operational planning (including branch and sequel development) and
  the targeting process. Sustainment planning is a collaborative function primarily performed by key members
  of the BCT and battalion staffs (XO, S-4, S-1, surgeon, and chaplain) and BSB staff (support operations
  officer and S-3). Sustainment planners and operators must understand the mission statement, the
  commander’s intent, and the concept of operations to develop a viable and effective concept of support.