text: Sustainment Operations During Armed Conflict
  logistics elements contain the maximum variety of maintenance personnel with appropriate equipment, such
  as repair sets, kits, and outfits to rapidly repair weapon systems.
  5-208. Medical support associated with the defense anticipates significant casualties, just as in the offense
  during large-scale combat operations. The BSMC and medical company (area support) provide Role 1 and
  Role 2 medical support. The BSMC provides support to maneuver brigades, and the medical company (area
  support) is and EAB asset operating under the command and control of the MMB. During large-scale combat
  operations, the Role 2 medical companies prepare for the defense by positioning assets to best support the
  flow of patients without impeding combat operations. The BSMC also reviews and integrates the medical
  evacuation and casualty evacuation plans for units in the area defense.
  5-209. The conduct of troop movements and resupply convoys is critical to a successful defense. Staffs
  balance terrain management, movement planning, and traffic-circulation control priorities. Staffs also plan
  multiple routes throughout the AO and closely control their use. The commander 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. The commander coordinates air and ground movements supporting the
  commander’s scheme of maneuver with any other affected Services. Commanders also coordinate such
  movements with any affected organic and external Army aviation, fire support, air defense, and ground
  maneuver units.
  5-210. During the preparatory phase of the defense, sustainment operators normally pre-position supply
  stocks, particularly ammunition and barrier materials, in the battle positions of defending forces. Sustainment
  operators also establish maintenance and casualty collection points. Sustainment operators must address these
  and other sustainment preparations in the planning process to avoid compromising the operation.
  SUSTAINMENT SUPPORT DURING AREA DEFENSE
  5-211. The sustainment mission in an area defense requires a careful balance between forward positioning of
  supplies and maintaining the responsiveness and rapid mobility necessary to ensure survivability of
  sustainment assets. The area defense typically requires less fuel consumption, provides more time for
  maintenance repairs, and requires less complex casualty evacuation procedures due to the static nature of this
  defense.
  5-212. Priorities for replenishment are normally ammunition and materials to construct obstacles and
  defensive positions. Maintenance and medical support, with their associated repair parts and medical
  supplies, are located as far forward on the battlefield as possible. There may be an increased demand for
  decontaminants and CBRN collective and personal protective equipment. The commander considers
  stockpiling or caching ammunition and limited amounts of petroleum products centrally within the main
  operational area.
  5-213. The supply of obstacle materials in a defense can be a significant problem that requires detailed
  coordination and long lead times. Push packages of these supplies ensure units engaged in defensive
  operations receive needed supplies. The commander plans for the transportation and manpower required in
  obtaining, moving, and uncrating barrier material and associated obstacles-creating munitions such as
  demolition charges and mines.
  5-214. The use of echelon support greatly enhances sustainment capabilities during the area defense. The
  sustainment commander ensures the echelon sustainment officers (G-1/S-1, G-4/S-4, G-8/S-8, and surgeon)
  and the commanders of the sustainment units supporting the defending force understand the commander’s
  tactical intent. These officers and commanders can then establish support priorities in accordance with the
  commander’s intent and plan sustainment operations to ensure the supportability of operations.
  MOBILE DEFENSE
  5-215. Mobile defense is a type of defensive operation that concentrates on the destruction or defeat of the
  enemy through a decisive attack by a striking force (ADP 3-90). The mobile defense focuses on defeating or
  destroying the enemy by allowing enemy forces to advance to a point where the enemy is exposed to a
  decisive counterattack by the striking force. The striking force is a dedicated counterattack force in a mobile
  defense constituted with the bulk of available combat power (ADP 3-90). A fixing force supplements the