text: Sustainment Operations During Armed Conflict
  support area displacement times and locations, detainee collection points and holding areas, and fuel and
  ammunition supply points) to foresee potential problems and develop means to mitigate them.
  PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE OFFENSE
  5-255. Sustainment planning is both a continuous and a cyclical activity of the operations process. For
  sustainment planning, the most important factors are requirements, capabilities, and shortfalls. As outlined
  in the paragraphs below, planning considerations assist planners in identifying specific support or operational
  requirements based upon available information.
  5-256. Many planning considerations impact the ability to execute offensive operations. These considerations
  should be recognized, analyzed in the time available, and prioritized based on the commander's intent.
  5-257. Planning considerations must encompass all warfighting functions to ensure the plan is integrated
  across all functions and domains. A planning consideration may have various levels of effects that drive
  support requirements. Planning considerations for offensive operations should include, at a minimum, the
  following considerations organized by warfighting function.
  SUSTAINMENT PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
  5-258. The planning considerations listed below for sustainment are examples of what sustainment planners
  may consider during offensive operations. This list is not considered all-inclusive, and considerations will
  vary for individual operations. The list provides some common planning considerations for sustainment
  during all offensive operations. If an offensive operation has a special consideration, it is indicated in the list:
  • Plan for execution of all sustainment functions and associated sub-functions at all echelons;
  personnel services, financial management, HSS, and logistics. This includes personnel replacement,
  casualty reporting, medical treatment, medical evacuation, medical logistics, and all logistics
  functions.
  • Forecast expected number of casualties and prepare appropriate medical treatment, surgical, and
  evacuation capabilities. Planners must also assess the best positioning of medical units to ensure
  support to offensive operations.
  • Anticipate conducting large-scale personnel replacement operations in support of units with high
  casualties.
  • Unit reorganization is a routine process that occurs on an objective. Reorganization activities should
  include the integration of replacement personnel when able.
  • Regeneration of units is an exceptionally intensive form of reconstitution requiring the direction of
  maneuver commanders two levels up and substantial sustainment support.
  • Commanders, staffs, and SPO officers at all echelons should weight the offensive effort by cross-
  leveling sustainment assets. This includes maintenance and recovery capabilities.
  • Plan for all sustainment functions required to build combat power: personnel, supply, maintenance,
  and medical. Preposition supply Classes I, water, IIIB/P, IV, V, VI, VIII, and IX as far forward as
  the tactical situation permits. Consider the use of combat configured loads. Balance forward
  positioning of resupply and rapid mobility.
  • Expect high demand for Classes III (B), IX and V to support offensive preparation efforts. Ensure
  adequate transportation assets are available to move the required tonnage.
  • Expect higher demand in shelf-stable operational rations to support feed-on-the-move capability
  during offensive efforts. Ensure required distribution and transportation assets are coordinated and
  synchronized at all echelons of support.
  • Plan for heavy equipment transportation assets to support evacuation of combat platforms. This
  transportation is required to move unserviceable main battle tanks, infantry and/or cavalry fighting
  vehicles, Stryker systems, and other heavy equipment to maintenance collection points located
  behind offensive operations.
  • Ensure field maintenance capability is adequate to repair or evacuate damaged equipment to meet
  the readiness requirements and the maneuver commander's intent. This requires planned
  coordination between the maintenance and transportation units and likely requires movement
  control points along routes.
  • Anticipate time needed to execute logistics as distances increase.