text: Chapter 3
  Support Area Operations
  The support area represents a key AO in support of Army operations. Operations are
  not successful solely based on support area operations, but Army operations could be
  lost in the support area. If conditions in the support area degrade, it is detrimental to
  the success of operations. Therefore, the protection of support areas requires planning
  considerations equal to those of the close areas.
  SUPPORT AREA OVERVIEW
  3-1. There are fundamental principles that are common to all support areas, whether they are established in
  a contiguous AO or a noncontiguous AO during large-scale combat operations or contingency operations.
  Support areas may be designated by any Army echelon or by operational necessity, but they are usually
  associated with and assigned to units that are capable of controlling an AO and executing the AO
  responsibilities as described in ADP 3-0.
  3-2. Commanders assign a support area as a subordinate AO to protect the force, preserve combat power,
  reduce risk, and mitigate vulnerabilities throughout corps and division support areas. The support area may
  provide critical infrastructure and secondary command and control nodes. This is where most of the echelon
  sustaining operations occur. Support area operations as discussed in this manual do not include the mission
  SPO conducted by tenants within the support area. Considerations for establishing a support area include—
  * The location (size required and proximity to LOC).
  * Command and support relationships between units in the support area.
  * Transportation networks (including road, rail, inland waterways, and air) into and out of the area.
  * Survivability of critical assets and personnel.
  * Terrain management.
  * Security responsibilities.
  * The dispersion of units to increase survivability against indirect-fire and air attacks.
  * Displacement considerations to sustain tempo and shorten LOC.
  * Movement control into, through, and out of the support area by units enabling combat operations.
  * Security and defense capabilities.
  * The congestion of organic, supporting, and unassigned airspace users over the AO.
  * A plan for transitions (boundary shifts, commander’s priorities, mission).
  3-3. The higher headquarters assesses and assumes risk in the support area to maximize combat power in
  other AOs. During planning, the higher headquarters and assigned support area commander conduct their
  initial assessments and adjust resources as the situation changes. Based on METT-TC, any unit assigned the
  support area will normally require augmentation to successfully complete the mission. Within a division
  support area, a designated unit such as a BCT or MEB is identified as the support area land owner and
  conducts support area operations. Within a corps support area, the corps designates a division, BCT, or MEB
  as the designated land owner. The MEB is the primary Army unit for conducting division and corps support
  area operations (see FM 3-0). Key functions performed by the support area commander include terrain
  management, movement control, protection, security, and defense.
  Note. Assigning the support area to functional or multifunctional brigades without the capability
  to conduct AO responsibilities will increase operational risk.