Army Chemical Review presents professional information about Chemical Corps functions related to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, smoke, flame, and civil support operations.
Issue link: https://chemical.epubxp.com/i/533676
Army Chemical Review 18 adequately advise the maneuver commander concerning the employment of CBRN forces in a dynamic operating envi- ronment. This is accomplished primarily by changing the doctrinal echelon that is supported by CBRN formations. Di- visions have historically received a CBRN company (maneu- ver support) in support of operations in which the potential for WMD threats or CBRN hazards exists. The CBRN com- pany is capable of providing mounted reconnaissance sup- port and supported operational and thorough decontamina- tion across a division area of operations, but lacks a robust staff to support plans and battle management. While these functions were previously supported by division CBRN staff, headquarters staff reductions have increased the strain on the staff, impacting its ability to conduct sustained operations. To mitigate the problem, the FDU es- tablishes a doctrinal relationship be- tween CBRN battalion headquarters (Figure 1) and Army divisions. Based on the future force design, a division that is deployed with two to six supporting CBRN companies to an operational environment contain- ing a CBRN threat will also deploy with a supporting battalion. This change will result in the necessary technical expertise and command experience to advise the division commander and staff on the employ- ment of CBRN formations across the range of military operations. In addition to increasing the mission command capability of the CBRN force, the CBRN FDU also enhances sustainment ca- pabilities to support current missions and future materiel systems. The FDU provides for the addition of a distribution section (with two palletized load systems) to the battalion logis- tics offcer (S-4) to support the movement of dismounted recon- naissance sets, kits, and outfts and to provide an enhanced bulk resupply capability. This addition is intended to miti- gate capability gaps that were identifed by defense CBRN re- sponse force units which were previously issued commer- cial, off-the-shelf Dismounted Reconnaissance Systems in response to a 2010 U.S. Army North operational needs state- ment. Response Company: Throughout the last decade, CBRN company missions have gravitated toward joint force commander require- ments while the institutional structure and capabilities have remained relatively unchanged since the Cold War. Since 2004, maneuver support and area support compa- nies have provided enduring hazmat response and decon- tamination support to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Since 2006, these same formations have sup- ported homeland response requirements, providing trained Decon (L) Decon (H) Recon (A) Recon (L) BIDS Obs CRT FY15 SRC 03 Capability by Platoon SRC 03 32% 18% 14% 6% 23% 3% 4% FY15 SRC 03 Capability by Component Regular Army 53% 0% 23% 0% 0% 0% 24% Army National Guard 9% 28% 13% 30% 13% 7% 0% U.S. Army Reserve 26% 16% 11% 6% 41% 0% 0% Legend: A—armor BIDS—Biological Integrated Detection System CRT—chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives response team decon—decontamination FY—fscal year H—heavy L—light obs—obscuration recon—reconnaissance SRC—standard requirements code Table 1. CBRN Force Capability Distribution Figure 1. CBRN battalion organization