1966 US Army Vietnam War ARMOR ... - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMcommand commander, who then becomes responsiblefor their movement and protection.However, brigade trains, when so attached,should be kept as a unit positioned togetherand moved as a serial. The retention of brigadetrains as a unit greatly improves their logisticalefficiency, particularly when they are re-leased to brigade control.Section IV. BATTALION OR SQUADRON COMBAT SERVICESUPPORT ELEMENTS AND TRAINS259. Battalion (Squadron) Combat Service tions or requests to the appropriateSupport Elementsagency. Upon receipt of supplies, thisThere are three basic combat service supportsection stores (if required) and diselementsorganic to the tank battalion and ar-tributes the supplies in the battalion.mored cavalry squadron-the support platoon, b. Maintenance Platoon. The maintenancemaintenance platoon, and medical platoon. Thesize and composition of these elements vary deplatoonis equipped and trained to perform or-ganizational maintenance, as outlined in the 20-pending on whether the parent unit is a tank series technical manuals, which cannot be acbattalionor armored cavalry squadron and de- complished by company or troop maintenancepending on the major command to which the sections. It provides repair parts and evacuaunitis assigned (division, regiment, or separatebrigade). The functions performed by thetion of all equipment for repair (except signaland medical) and accomplishes battlefield recombatservice support elements are identical covery of repairable tank-automotive equipregardlessof the unit to which organic.ment.a. Support Platoon. The support platoon of c. Medical Platoon. The medical platoon isdivision and separate brigade armor units is composed of the battalion surgeon, noncommissionedofficers, aidmen, ambulance drivers, andportation section, mess section, and supply sec- aid station personnel, together with theirtion. In the armored cavalry regiment, messequipment and transportation. The battalion~tio I hearoedcvaryrgienmes surgeon is on the special staff of the battalionelements are organic to each troop and battery.commandersurgeon onandthecommandsspecial stafftheof themedicalbattalionpla-(1) Transportation section. The trans- toon, and operates under the staff supervisionportation section is organized and of the S1. The platoon is organized to provideequipped with the personnel and emergency medical treatment within its capatrucksto transport supplies from sup- bilities. It provides for patient acquisition,porting supply or distributing points emergency medical treatment, and evacuationto the companies of the battalion. The to the battalion aid station. At the battalionsection normally transports a part of aid station, the patient receives treatment andthe unit basic load of ammunition andprescribed loads of fuels and lubriisreturned to duty or evacuated to the rear. Incombat operations, the battalion medical placants.toon will habitually attach a medical aid-eva-(2) Mess section. The mess section is or- cuation team to each company.ganized and equipped to receive class d. Communication Platoon. The communica-I supplies and prepare and deliver tion platoon is normally located in the commealsor rations to all units of the mand post area. It provides organizationalbattalion. The cellular organization of maintenance as outlined in the 20-series technithemess section permits the attach- cal manuals for the headquarters and headmentof a mess team to each company quarters company's communication and otheror troop when required.electronic equipment (less cryptographic). It(3) Supply section. The supply section is also provides limited backup and organizationorganizedand equipped to receive al maintenance for the line companies. The plasupplyrequests, except for repair toon procures signal repair parts for the batparts,from the companies and pre- talion (less cryptographic) and provides forpare and forward battalion requisi- the evacuation of all signal equipment that re-141