text: Sustainment Operations During Armed Conflict
  5-191. The FSC commander must anticipate operating in the brigade deep area if supporting guard or
  covering forces. The commander must also expect to operate in this area if supporting a mobile defense.
  5-192. During defensive operations, the BSB distribution company should conduct continuous exchange of
  configured loads of supplies on flatracks, water tank racks (HIPPOs), modular fuel systems, and multi-
  temperature refrigerated container systems while retrograding empty FSC flatracks. This increases the
  supported maneuver commander's tactical flexibility and decreases sustainment transportation asset time on
  station when resupplying.
  AVIATION BRIGADE SUSTAINMENT
  5-193. Aviation brigades also have companies that support brigade operations. The types and quantities of
  the companies that make up the ASB are the same for each aviation brigade, but the exact composition and
  capability of the supporting companies will vary based on the type of aviation brigade. All ASBs have a
  headquarters and support company, a distribution company, a brigade signal company, and an aviation
  support company. These companies are organic to the ASB, and each has a specific role.
  AVIATION SUPPORT COMPANY
  5-194. Aircraft maintenance above the aviation operational battalion/squadron level is provided by the
  aviation support company. The aviation support company is the only unit staffed and equipped to perform
  ground recovery of brigade or squadron airframes. The aviation support company is generally responsible
  for dedicated recovery missions, both air and ground. Additionally, the aviation support company can
  facilitate self-recoveries and perform battle damage assessment and repair as part of a downed aircraft
  recovery team mission. Aviation support companies may provide personnel and equipment to augment the
  aviation maintenance company/troop performing downed aircraft recovery team missions when directed by
  the aviation brigade.
  5-195. The aviation support company commander is responsible for forming a downed aircraft recovery team
  with rapid response times and robust capabilities mirroring the requirements of an aviation maintenance
  company/troop downed aircraft recovery team program. The aviation support company downed aircraft
  recovery team program should expand beyond the aviation maintenance company/team program by including
  the primary responsibility for conducting aerial and ground dedicated recovery missions. Additionally, the
  aviation support company generally supports recovery missions for aircraft in the aviation brigade area of
  coverage not assigned to the brigade, transitioning the operational area, or operating in the brigade area of
  coverage. The priority for the aviation support company downed aircraft recovery team program is dedicated
  aircraft recovery, with self-recovery and battle damage assessment and repair as contingency operations.
  DISTRIBUTION COMPANY
  5-196. The distribution company provides support for the aviation brigade and receives, temporarily stores,
  and issues Class III(B). The distribution company also establishes and operates Class III and Class V
  transload sites in the brigade sustainment area to resupply brigade operations. Utilizing brigade and battalion
  assets, the distribution company provides fuel to all brigade aircraft within the assembly area.
  5-197. The distribution company also manages the SSA and is responsible for maintaining the authorized
  stockage list. During defensive operations, the flow of critical Class IX repair parts into the SSA is critical to
  enable the rapid repair of airframes and maintain or improve the combat power of the aviation brigade.
  FORWARD SUPPORT COMPANY
  5-198. Aviation battalion FSCs are organized with a company headquarters, distribution platoon, and a
  ground maintenance platoon. The distribution platoon provides aircraft refuel capability, ammunition
  specialists, water, and transportation. All aviation battalions have an organic FSC. Attack and cavalry
  aviation battalion FSCs also have a Class V section. When missions dictate, FSCs can be augmented by the
  ASB with personnel and equipment.
  5-199. During defensive operations, the FSC may be tasked with establishing and operating multiple FARPs
  to meet mission requirements and will require additional support from the ASB and DSSBs to distribute
  Class III (bulk and package) and Class V forward. The enemy situation will dictate the duration a FARP will
  remain operational; it will move often to avoid detection and improve survivability.