Operations in Coalinga

By Maj Roy Miner

Situation

You are the operations section for a CLB executing operations in the country of Coalinga, a hot and arid climate. Your unit is in direct support of the MEB GCE, Task Force Alpha. The GCE is starting their fifth day of their assault to seize three MEB objectives. The assault is anticipated to take 15 days. (See map.) Your primary mission at this point is to provide sustainment support for Class I (chow and water), Class III (POL), and Class V(W)(ammunition) through the assault phase of the operation. Task Force Alpha is comprised of three infantry battalions and one HQ (headquarters) company. Two of the battalions are mechanized (one with tanks, the other with AAVs). Your CLB consists of three companies: HQ Company, Transportation Services Company, and Engineer Services Company. The Transportation Services Company has two MT (motor transport) platoons currently task organized with the same number of personnel and equipment as well as a landing support platoon capable of generating six helicopter support teams as required. Each MT Platoon has 4 flatrack refueling capability trailers, 10 water sixcons, and 11 LVSRs with 4 PLS (palletized loading system) trailers. There is a sufficient amount of vehicles for security escort. Additionally, you have the ability to request two sorties of CH-53 helicopters for assault support. Prior coordination has your CLB delivering sustainment supplies to the GCE combat trains at the RRP (repair and replenishment point). The GCE combat trains then distribute supplies to the GCE maneuver units throughout their area of operations.

Based on the progress of the operations, there are no indications that this phase of the operation will end earlier or later than 15 days. The battalions of TF Alpha are executing ground combat operations along three axis of advance as depicted in the graphic. Mileage along MSRs and ASRs between the units, CSSA (combat service support area), RRP, and MEB objectives are also depicted in the graphic. 2d Battalion has reached its objective and is expected to seize it in the next three days. It is approximately 15 miles from the RRP. Their progress was met with moderate resistance. 3d Bn is advancing along its axis of advance and is currently 25 miles from the RRP. It is expected to reach its objective (20 miles away) in one day and seize it in four days. They have met with moderate to heavy resistance thus far, and they expect heavy resistance for the remainder of the operation. 1st Bn (GCE main effort) is currently 15 miles from the RRP. Its objective is still 65 miles away, and it is expected to reach and seize its objective in 10 days. They have had heavy resistance and are expected to be met with heavy resistance the remainder of the operation.

1st Bn for TF Alpha has estimated its requirements for sustainment classes of supply to be the following per day: 260 cases of MREs; 4,300 gallons of bulk potable water; 1,500 gallons of fuel; and 15 pallets of ammunition. Excluding what is on their combat trains, the battalion can organically hold up to 550 cases of MREs; 8,600 gallons of potable water; 13,300 gallons of fuel; and 30 pallets of ammunition. Their current estimated inventories after 5 days of operations in the assault is 450 cases of MREs; 4,300 gallons of potable water; 5,800 gallons of fuel; and 30 pallets of ammunition.

2d Bn for TF Alpha has estimated its requirements for sustainment classes of supply to be the following per day: 250 cases of MREs; 4,200 gallons of bulk potable water; 1,000 gallons of fuel; and 13 pallets of ammunition. Excluding what is on their combat trains, the battalion can organically hold up to 500 cases of MREs; 8,400 gallons of potable water; 4,000 gallons of fuel; and 30 pallets of ammunition. Their current estimated inventories after 5 days of operations in the assault is 500 cases of MREs; 4,800 gallons of potable water; 2,500 gallons of fuel; and 30 pallets of ammunition.

3d Bn for TF Alpha has estimated its requirements for sustainment classes of supply to be the following per day: 290 cases of MREs; 4,800 gallons of bulk potable water; 3,000 gallons of fuel; and 14 pallets of ammunition. Excluding what is on their combat trains, the battalion can organically hold up to 600 cases of MREs; 9,600 gallons of potable water; 7,300 gallons of fuel; and 30 pallets of ammunition. Their current estimated inventories after 5 days of operations in the assault is 500 cases of MREs; 4,800 gallons of potable water; 5,500 gallons of fuel; and 30 pallets of ammunition.

The logistics combat trains for each battalion have consolidated in one area designated as the main RRP for the GCE, which is 60 miles away from a forward CSSA. In total, these log trains can carry 1,700 cases of MREs; 15,700 gallons of potable water; 7,900 gallons of bulk fuel; and 100 pallets of ammunition. Their current on-hand inventories are estimated to be 800 cases of MREs; 10,000 gallons of potable water; 6,000 gallons of bulk fuel; and 75 pallets of ammunition. The forward CSSA currently has 1,600 cases of MREs; 300,000 gallons of potable water; 150 pallets of ammunition; and 300,000 gallons of fuel in its inventories. The next scheduled resupply for the CSSA is 11 days from now, at which time the inventories will be maintained at 200,000 gallons of water and fuel; 40 pallets of chow; and 50 pallets of ammunition.

One scheduled resupply has already occurred two days ago, where the 1st MT Platoon topped off the GCE combat trains with 7,000 gallons of fuel; 13,000 gallons of water; 50 pallets of ammunition; and 1,300 cases of MREs.

Requirements

1) What is your assessment of the current overall logistics architecture and conditions?

2) What recommendations do you have to the battalion commander to modify the current logistics concept of operations?

3) Is there any absent information from battalion staff sections that is needed to make a recommendation to the battalion commander?

4) Are there any shortfalls, and what additional support do you think is required to sustain GCE operations?

Provide a brief discussion of the rationale behind your answers. Submit your solutions by email to [email protected] or to the Marine Corps Gazette, TDG 10-17, Box 1775, Quantico, VA 22134. The Gazette will publish solutions in an upcoming issue.