Chapter 14: Logistics

Logistics is the process of planning and executing the sustainment of forces in support of military actions. At the tactical level, it focuses on the traditional combat service support functions of materiel support (supply), maintenance, transportation, personnel support, and medical support. These tasks present a challenge in modern combat, where there is not always a clearly defined front line or a relatively secure rear area. Combat can spread over a deep and wide area. Within such an area, combat actions and attrition may not occur evenly or predictably. There may be areas of intense battles and local destruction, while other secondary or defensive sectors have much lighter logistics demands. This requires a flexible logistics system designed to sustain forces throughout conflict, adapting as conditions change.

Strategic and Operational Logistics Support

The State’s national-level logistics system is designed to provide continuous support to the civilian populace while simultaneously supporting military forces from the strategic level to the individual fighting unit. The OPFOR continues to make major improvements in all aspects of its logistics system. This includes an increased emphasis on support zone security and plans for stockpiling war materiel throughout the country.

Operational logistics links strategic-level logistics resources with the tactical level of logistics, thus creating the conditions for effective sustainment of a combat force. It covers the support activities required to sustain campaigns and major operations. A dependable logistics system helps commanders seize and maintain the initiative. Operational maneuver and the exploitation of operational or tactical success often hinge on the adequacy of logistics and the ability of the force to safeguard its critical lines of communications (LOCs), materiel, and infrastructure. Operational logisticians interface with tactical-level logisticians in order to determine shortfalls and communicate these shortfalls back to the strategic logistics complex to support operational priorities.

Tactical Staff Responsibilities

At all levels of command, down through division and brigade, the resources section of the primary staff is the principal office for the logistics integration of supply, maintenance, transportation, and services. The resources officer heads this section, with two subsections headed by secondary staff officers who support him: the chief of logistics and the chief of administration. The resources section establishes and controls the sustainment command post (CP) to supervise the execution of sustainment procedures and the movement of support troops. It contains staff officers for fuel supply, medical support, combat equipment repair, ammunition, clothing, and food supply. It is also designed to serve as an alternate CP or to provide multiple sustainment CPs. If an additional sustainment CP is required, the assistant resources officer will control it. The resources section is also structured to accommodate augmentation from the functional staff and liaison teams. See figure 14-1 on page 14-2 for the organization of the resources section.