text: Chapter 5
  SUSTAINMENT FUNDAMENTALS FOR OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
  5-248. Offensive operations involve an intense tempo, requiring sustainers to continually update their
  running estimates to anticipate friction points on the battlefield. Sustainers need to be able to accurately
  envision the offensive operation in time and space to accurately forecast operational requirements.
  Continuous coordination between planners at the various echelons is required for mission success.
  5-249. If offensive momentum is not maintained,
  the enemy may recover from the shock of the first Sustaining Offensive Operations
  assault, gain the initiative, and mount a successful • Continually update running estimates.
  counterattack. Maintaining an understanding of • Simultaneously support the offense and
  offensive operations and future operations allows consolidate gains.
  sustainment planners to simultaneously transition • Understand enemy threat and challenges.
  between offensive operations and consolidation of • Increased Class III (bulk and package),
  gains. What starts out as a movement to contact Class VIII, and Class IX requirements.
  could rapidly turn into a lengthy pursuit of enemy • Increased casualties and personnel
  forces requiring extended operational reach to replacements over extended battlefield.
  capitalize on opportunities. This requires robust
  planning and consideration for all possible
  outcomes.
  5-250. Offensive operations require situational understanding of the enemy threat. Sustainment commanders
  should not assume unobstructed LOCs and should anticipate challenges across multiple domains. These
  commanders prepare for challenges of degraded sustainment systems, interdicted LOCs, and challenges from
  an enemy that has equal or overmatch capabilities. Sustainment commanders and planners prepare to push
  forward critical supplies in an OE where degraded systems and communications exist.
  5-251. The continued forward movement of units and sustainment support is critical if the force is to maintain
  the initiative and combat power necessary for the successful execution of offensive operations. Maintaining
  the initiative in the close area often results in significant numbers of bypassed enemy forces and remnants of
  defeated units as friendly forces maneuver deep into enemy areas by avoiding enemy units in well prepared
  positions. The fluidity and rapid tempo of operations pose challenges when planning for the area security of
  support and rear areas.
  5-252. Enemy commanders look for opportunities to counter, or at least hinder, the performance of corps and
  division offensive tasks. Enemy commanders attempt to strike deeply into friendly support and rear areas
  using multiple combinations of lethal and nonlethal effects from multiple domains. The enemy will seek to
  employ special purpose forces, irregular forces, electromagnetic warfare, long-range artillery, rockets,
  missiles, information capabilities, unmanned aerial systems, and cyberspace electromagnetic activities to
  disrupt sustainment activities. Sustainment commanders remain aware of conventional enemy units and other
  elements bypassed during the advance of friendly forces and the threat presented by their presence in support
  and rear areas.
  5-253. Sustainment units synchronize with maneuver units to ensure security of support and rear areas. Corps
  and division headquarters must plan to keep command posts operating, sustainment capabilities functional,
  respective LOCs open, and supply stocks at an acceptable level. The conduct of noncontiguous operations
  increases the difficulty of these tasks, as does the lack of friendly host-nation security forces.
  5-254. Sustaining the offense is a high-intensity operation. Sustainment commanders and staffs must plan for
  increased requirements in Class III (B), VIII, and IX and personnel replacements to sustain the pace and
  tempo of operations. Plan and rehearse command and control, forward positioning, orders issuance, personnel
  accounting, logistical support, processing and transportation of replacements, and most critically, maneuver
  unit rapid integration of replacements. Sustainment planners anticipate where the greatest need might occur
  during offensive operations and consider positioning sustainment units in close proximity to operations to
  reduce response times for critical support. Planners also consider alternative methods for delivering
  sustainment in emergencies. Extended LOCs require analysis of how to best emplace forward sustainment
  elements to support the commander. It is important to clearly lay out key actions for rehearsal during
  offensive operations (for example, casualty evacuation routes, ambulance exchange or loading points, LRPs,