text: Chapter 8
  support priorities in accordance with the commander’s intent and plan sustainment operations to ensure the
  supportability of the operation. Units also address sustainment during branches and sequels to the defense
  plan, such as a counterattack into the flank of an adjacent unit.
  8-98. Maneuver units resupply regularly and maintain supply stocks in case an enemy breakthrough disrupts
  the replenishment flow. At the battalion and BCT levels, units ensure combat configured loads are delivered
  to maneuver units regularly. Combat configured loads are packages of potable and non-potable water; CBRN
  defense supplies; barrier materials; ammunition; petroleum, oils, and lubricants; medical supplies; and repair
  parts tailored to a specific-sized unit. This eliminates the need to request supplies and reduces the chance that
  a lapse in communications interrupts the supply flow and jeopardizes the integrity of the defense. Units
  resupply the supported maneuver unit using this push system until it requests otherwise. Units can use utility
  and cargo helicopters to deliver supplies directly from the echelon support area to the defending unit. Units
  use information systems to tailor these combat-configured push packages to the demands of the supported
  maneuver units.
  8-99. If defending units do not expect enemy forces to conduct a limited-visibility attack, the defending force
  can conduct resupply during periods of limited visibility. This reduces the chance for enemy interference
  with the resupply process, but it also lengthens the amount of time it takes to complete the process. If
  defending units expect the enemy to conduct a limited-visibility attack, they conduct resupply during
  daylight. When enemy forces possess significant air, satellite, or unmanned aircraft capabilities, friendly
  forces may be required to infiltrate resupply vehicles to reduce the chance of enemy detection.
  8-100. Terrain management is a critical consideration in the echelon support area. Units position each
  sustainment unit where it can best fulfill its support tasks while using minimal resources to maintain security
  in conjunction with other units located in the echelon support area. In contiguous operations, units position
  echelon sustainment facilities farther away from the forward edge of the battle area in a defense than in an
  offense to avoid interfering with the movement of units between BPs or the forward movement of
  counterattack forces. These facilities are located far enough behind friendly lines that likely enemy advances
  do not compel the relocation of critical sustainment capabilities at inopportune times. However, those
  sustainment capabilities supporting the unit must be close enough to provide responsive support. In
  noncontiguous operations, units position sustainment facilities in areas within the perimeters of ground
  maneuver units to provide security and avoid interrupting their sustainment functions. Units distribute similar
  functional sustainment units throughout the defensive area in both environments. This distribution allows
  them to designate one sustainment unit to pick up the workload of a displacing second sustainment until the
  second sustainment unit is once again operational.
  8-101. Defending units provide maintenance support as far forward as possible at maintenance collection
  points to reduce the need to evacuate equipment. The purpose of the maintenance effort is to fix as far forward
  as possible those systems that can return to maneuver units in combat-ready condition. Units ensure that
  multifunctional forward logistics elements contain the maximum variety of maintenance personnel with
  appropriate equipment, such as repair sets, kits, and outfits, to repair weapon systems quickly.
  8-102. Medical support associated with the defense anticipates significant casualties just as in the offense.
  Units plan to augment available ambulances if a mass casualty situation develops. Units should always plan
  for mass casualties and have an evacuation plan, including ambulance exchange points and air evacuation,
  which accounts for the use of both standard and nonstandard air and ground platforms.
  8-103. The conduct of troop movements and resupply convoys is critical to a successful defense. Units
  balance terrain management, movement planning, and traffic circulation control priorities. They plan
  multiple routes throughout the assigned areas and closely control their use. They may allocate mobility
  resources to maintain main supply routes to support units and supplies moving forward and to evacuate
  personnel and equipment to the rear. Military police ease these movements, prevent congestion, and respond
  to maneuver plan changes. Units plan for dislocated civilians and the effect that they have on friendly military
  operations. Civil affairs staff assist units in planning populace and resources control measures. Local nation
  and international organizations minimize the impact of disaster or conflict on dislocated civilians. Units
  coordinate air and ground movements supporting their scheme of maneuver with any other affected Services.
  They also coordinate such movements with any affected organic and external Army aviation, fire support,
  air defense, and ground maneuver units.