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Combat support
Combat support is fire support and operational assistance provided to combat elements.
The commander uses combat support elements to enhance the combat power of his subordinate maneuver units and impair effectiveness of the enemy. The ground, air reconnaissance and security resources available to the corps include aviation, military police, fire support, air defense, and chemical assets. According to the U.S. Field Manuals tactical support includes fire support, air defense support, intelligence preparation of battlefield, chemical support, engineer support, army aviation support, ground transportation support and psychological warfare support. At the tactical level, security forces protect the command against surprise attack and observation by hostile air and ground forces.
Security is provided by combat security forces which give early warning, prevent enemy reconnaissance of the main defensive position. Their mission is to inflict maximum casualties, and coordinate long-range fire on enemy formations.
Successful reconnaissance precedes successful operations. Reconnaissance is not under the control of any one particular branch or unit. As in reconnaissance operations, all units − combat, combat support, and combat service support contribute to the unit’s overall security. The battalion is the lowest tactical echelon with its own organic reconnaissance assets.
Prior to the battle brigade commanders require specific information about the location of enemy reconnaissance elements. The aviation brigade can augment or perform missions alone. The commander of military intelligence detachment synchronizes the efforts of the combat intelligence, battle intelligence, ground reconnaissance, air reconnaissance and any attached intelligence assets with fire support, aviation, and maneuver units to locate, jam, and destroys the enemy's command and control (С²) systems.
Corps air defense units provide early warning and enemy target identification. Finally, corps chemical units perform NBC reconnaissance. Its primary organic assets include the MI battalion and the cavalry squadron. In the conduct of operations, the higher headquarters commander prescribes security measures for the force. The purpose of security is to deny the enemy knowledge of what the friendly force is doing. Security may be achieved by conducting deception operations. Prior to all maneuver and fires the security measures are taken by a military unit to protect itself against possible threat. In any type of operations security detachments and combat support elements are used to perform these missions. Traditional security operations are screen, guard, cover, and area security. Coordinating and special staff officers have reconnaissance responsibilities. If the G2 needs to obtain certain intelligence data, he can request, through the G3, the cavalry squadron to perform these tasks.
The division engineer anticipates future engineer support requirements. Major engineer efforts are directed toward preparing routes for the mobility of friendly forces. The senior commander establishes zones of obstacles to turn the penetrating enemy force. Highly mobile engineer forces should be task-organized with the reconnaissance elements in front of the striking force to conduct a breach. They enhance friendly direct and indirect fires.
The military police company will be in general support to the division with the priority to area security, and enemy prisoner of war operations. Military police assets conduct reconnaissance and area security missions to ensure uninterrupted use of main supply routes, and other key areas in the corps rear.
The commander retains centralized control of the organic and attached assets. The aviation brigade provides the division commander with rapid maneuver and aerial fires. This brigade adds depth to the division's battlefield. The aviation brigade can engage targets deep to delay and destroy attacking enemy units. Combat aircraft are also effective counterfire weapon systems. Close air support assets are best used against large enemy formations. Close air support is required to support ground operations by attacking hostile targets close to friendly ground forces.
Corps artillery possesses target acquisition systems. The field artillery mission is to destroy, neutralize, or suppress the enemy by cannon, rocket, and missile fire. Normally, one field artillery battalion is in direct support of a maneuver brigade. Artillery fire is provided by a 155-mm howitzer battalion. Mortars can be used to: destroy infantry in positions without overhead cover and provide smoke screens. Both conventional and nuclear fires might be employed to achieve desired results.
The mission of signal units is to provide communications network between higher headquarters and subordinate units. This combat support branch is responsible for establishing, operating and maintaining communication system. In any type of combat the purpose of security measures is to give early warning of the enemy threat.
Ground reconnaissance elements gain and maintain contact with the enemy. Geographical landmarks or terrain features can help in target identification. However,
cavalry, scouts, and aviation are generally considered as the maneuver units organized and equipped for conducting security missions. Further, the force maintains surveillance, provides early warning to the main body, impedes and harasses the enemy with supporting indirect fires, and destroys enemy reconnaissance elements within its capability.
With the advent of weapons of mass destruction, the commander must be ready to provide timely information to higher headquarters about possible contaminations. The division chemical officer employs the NBC reconnaissance and smoke where it can best support the division's main effort. Every effort is to be made to conduct decontamination. The assigned chemical specialists are the focal point for all NBC actions in garrison environment and in the field. They plan decontamination, smoke, flame, and NBC reconnaissance operations and supervise their execution.