The US Air Force provides CAS on a preplanned or immediate-need basis. A forward air controller (FAC, TACP, JTAC, or CCT), on the ground or in the air, acts as a link between the ground force and the aircraft. Friendly positions must always be marked during close air strikes. Smoke grenades, flares, signal mirrors, strobe lights, vehicle lights, and thermal sources are commonly used as markers.
AIR DEFENSE ARTILLERY
Divisional air defense weapons may support and be positioned with infantry units. All ADA fires are controlled by orders and procedures established by higher headquarters.
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
Military intelligence should be giving constant updates to the ground commander based off of signal intelligence, human intelligence, ISR aircraft, and intelligence from SSE conducted during operations. MI battalion assets should be attached to or support infantry units.
COMBAT ENGINEERS
Engineers are a valuable asset, and higher commanders determine their priority. Engineers can help the infantry prepare obstacles or positions by providing technical advice or the skills to do work beyond the ability of infantry units.
COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT AT THE PLATOON LEVEL
CSS operations at the platoon level are a vital part of infantry operations. They consist of logistical, personnel, and health service functions. CSS is integrated into the tactical planning process from the starting phases of operations. Well-planned and well-executed CSS is a large part of mission accomplishment and the success of combat operations. Like CS, CSS is a combat multiplier. Soldiers well supplied with food, water, ammunition, shelter, and medical care are more successful in accomplishing their missions than those who are not.
At platoon level, the platoon sergeant is the key CSS operator. He consolidates information and needs from the squad leaders, requests support from the executive officer (XO) or first sergeant, and assigns responsibilities to squads.
Individual Responsibilities for CSS
There are many specific individual responsibilities within the platoon’s CSS chain.
Platoon Sergeant. As the platoon’s main CSS operator, the PSG executes the platoon’s logistical plan based on platoon and company SOPs. His CSS duties include:
•Participating in CSS rehearsals at the company level and integrating CSS into the platoon’s maneuver rehearsals.
•Receiving, consolidating, and forwarding all administrative, personnel, and casualty reports to the first sergeant as directed or in accordance with unit SOP.
•Obtaining supplies, equipment (except Class VIII), and mail from the supply sergeant and ensuring proper distribution.
•Supervising evacuation of casualties, enemy prisoners of war (EPWs), and damaged equipment.
•Maintaining the platoon’s manning roster.
Squad Leader. Each squad leader’s CSS duties include:
•Ensuring soldiers perform proper maintenance on all assigned equipment.
•Compiling personnel and logistics reports for the platoon and submitting them to the PSG as directed or in accordance with unit SOP.
•Obtaining supplies, equipment (except Class VIII), and mail from the PSG and ensuring proper distribution.
Platoon Medic. The platoon medic is detached from the battalion medical platoon and attached to the rifle platoon to provide emergency medical treatment (EMT) for sick, injured, or wounded platoon personnel, including treatment of trauma, opening an airway, starting intravenous fluids, controlling hemorrhage, preventing or treating for shock, splinting fractures or suspected fractures, and providing pain relief. The EMT performed by the platoon medic is under the supervision of the battalion surgeon or physician’s assistant (PA).
The platoon medic is also responsible for:
•Triaging injured, wounded, or ill friendly and enemy personnel for priority of treatment.
•Conducting sick call screening for the platoon.
•Evacuating sick, injured, or wounded personnel under the direction of the PSG.
•Assisting in the training of the platoon’s combat lifesavers in enhanced first aid procedures.
•Requisitioning Class VIII supplies from the battalion aid station (BAS) for the platoon according to the tactical SOP (TSOP).
•Recommending locations for platoon CCPs.
•Providing guidance to the platoon’s combat lifesavers as required.
Resupply Operations
Platoon resupply is mainly a “push” system. The platoon receives a standard package of supplies based on past usage factors and planning estimates. Whatever supply technique is directed, leaders must ensure security. This involves security at the resupply point and rotating personnel to ensure continuous manning of crew-served weapons and OPs, leader availability, and unit preparedness in case of enemy attack. Platoons use backhauling to remove residue, casualties, damaged equipment, or excess ammunition to the rear. During each resupply operation, the platoon must plan for backhauling of excess items. Backhauling can be by manpack, vehicles, or aircraft. Effective backhauling lessens the platoon’s need to bury, camouflage, or otherwise dispose of unneeded material.
In-Position or Tailgate Technique. The company brings forward supplies, equipment, or both to individual fighting positions. This technique is used when an immediate need exists to resupply single classes of supplies during contact or when contact is imminent. It enables leaders to keep squad members in their fighting positions.
Out-of-Position or Service Station Technique. To use this technique, soldiers must leave their fighting positions. Selected soldiers move to a company resupply point to the rear of the platoon positions, conduct resupply, and return to their fighting position. This technique is used when contact is not likely and for one or several classes of supplies.
Pre-position Technique. In this technique, the company pre-positions supplies and equipment along a route to or at a platoon’s destination. The company then directs the platoons to the sites. Although this method is often used during defensive operations to position supplies and equipment in subsequent battle positions (fallback positions), it can be equally effective in other operations as a cache.
Aerial Resupply. Aerial resupply is often used to get supplies and equipment to the platoon, especially when the routes are determined to be too hazardous for truck resupply. Helicopters are usually more precise than fixed-wing aircraft in delivering supplies and are used to deliver supplies and equipment to LZs; fixed-wing aircraft are used for drop zones (DZs). Fixed-wing aircraft are also used when the distance to the resupply area is out of range of rotary wing aircraft, or when a large resupply is needed (such as 55-gallon drums of fuel). In many cases, air drops are used to resupply troops in remote or nonpermissive areas.
Personnel Service Support
The main platoon combat personnel service support functions are strength accounting and casualty reporting. The platoon leader and NCOs are also responsible for handling EPWs and for arranging programs to counter the impact of stress and continuous operations. Platoon leaders coordinate personnel service support provided by the battalion adjutant (S-1), personnel and administration center (PAC), and chaplain through the company headquarters.
Strength Accounting. Leaders use battle rosters to keep up-to-date records of their soldiers and to provide reports to the company at specific intervals. During combat, leaders also provide hasty strength reports upon request or when important strength changes occur.
Killed in Action. The platoon leader designates a location for the collection of KIAs. All personal effects remain with the body; however, the squad leader removes and safeguards any equipment and issue items. He keeps these until he can turn the items over to the platoon sergeant. The platoon sergeant turns over the KIAs to the first sergeant. As a rule, wounded soldiers take priority in transport to the rear. If KIAs can be transported separately from the wounded, this is preferred.