text: Chapter 5
  • Controlling tactical unit movement between the division or corps rear boundary and units
  conducting close operations.
  5-106. Rear operations typically include efforts that consolidate gains to make conditions created by deep
  and close operations more permanent. All of these activities compete for limited terrain and LOCs. Division
  and corps rear command posts are generally responsible for rear operations.
  5-107. The rear area is inside the commander’s overall AO. Some of it may be assigned to subordinate units,
  and some of it may be retained by the commander. The rear area is normally, but not always, distributed in
  multiple locations across an echelon. It is where most of an echelon’s sustaining operations occur. The
  geographic size of a rear area is based on mission and operational variables and is difficult to quantify. These
  variables include the number of units assigned to the rear area, the existing threat, and the amount of terrain
  that can be influenced by the unit assigned rear area responsibility. As an example, for a division rear area,
  if it is assumed to be a brigade-sized area, it will be approximately 20 square kilometers. This number is for
  general planning consideration and to give readers an idea of the geographic scope of a division rear area and
  the impact it has on command and control and protection. It should be understood that division rear area size
  may vary widely. The corps rear area will be significantly larger.
  5-108. Within the joint security area, strategic enablers such as USTRANSCOM, USAMC, DLA, and each
  of their individual subordinate components link strategic support activities with theater support activities.
  Examples of these activities include synchronizing strategic and operational distribution of equipment,
  supplies, and personnel; managing materiel and establishing contracts; establishing theater fuel stocks; and
  managing excess property turn-in. USASOC coordinates operational support requirements while monitoring
  SOF activities within the theater. The TSC and ESC (with attached sustainment brigades) conduct RSOI for
  units arriving in theater and support the movement of those units forward to corps and division areas. The
  TMC or MEDBDE (SPT) provides command and control of all EAB medical units providing direct or general
  support to the corps and division areas. Other sustainment forces in the joint security area support activities
  including Class I and Class III (Bulk) distribution, APOD and SPOD operations, personnel services, financial
  management activities, and other support tasks.
  5-109. Within a division and corps rear area, a MEB is normally designated AO responsibilities. If a MEB is
  not available, a maneuver brigade should be designated AO responsibilities. Rear area control responsibilities
  include area security; terrain management; information collection, integration, and synchronization; civil
  affairs operations; civil-military operations; psychological operations; movement control; mobility support;
  clearance of fires; personnel recovery; airspace control; and minimum-essential stability tasks. This allows
  sustainment units to focus on their primary functions.
  5-110. The corps headquarters is likely to position assets in the division rear area to facilitate division
  operations and enable freedom of action. The division headquarters orchestrates the sustainment and
  protection tasks essential to enabling freedom of action in the division close and deep areas. Planning in the
  rear area largely influences current and future operations in the close and deep areas. The rear area is not a
  single large base; it is a base cluster comprised of multiple bases, each established by units assigned to the
  rear area. The MEB is responsible for terrain management to include placement and integrated protection of
  the bases.
  SUPPORT AREA OPERATIONS
  5-111. Support area operations are a critical part of rear operations. Support area operations are the tactical
  actions securing lines of communications, bases, and base clusters that enable an echelon’s sustainment and
  command and control (FM 3-0).
  5-112. A support area is where units position, employ, and protect base sustainment assets and LOCs required
  to sustain, enable, and control operations. Support area operations include sustainment for the echelon and
  relevant security operations. They enable the tempo of deep and close operations and require detailed
  planning to coordinate among the various units providing sustainment, protection, and security. A MEB or
  maneuver brigade should have some command and control authority over the organizations positioned within
  the MEB AO to conduct security and defense; this may be TACON for security and defense.