Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!news.cs.indiana.edu!att!cbnews!cbnews!military
From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Refueling an advancing army
Message-ID: <1990Dec12.032617.12050@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 12 Dec 90 03:26:17 GMT
References: <1990Dec8.222647.28332@cbnews.att.com>
Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker)
Organization: The Boeing Co., MMST, Seattle, Wa.
Lines: 72
Approved: military@att.att.com



From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)

> From: ssdc!jbasara@uunet.UU.NET  (jim basara)
> 
> Could someone please give me some details on how an advancing army remains
> supplied, especially with fuel.  For instance, if we were to invade Kuwait,
> thousands of vehicles, some which require enormous amounts of fuel would
> be on the move.  How is the supplying of all these vehicles with fuel
> orchestrated?
 
  Any logisticians out there?  This simple question really requires a 
  very complex answer - to try to define the Army's tactical logistical
  system.  But, here's a 'brief' attempt, and I'll restrict it to fuel.
  The Army calls fuel "Class III POL (Petroleum, Oil, Lubricatants)". 

  The concept is "Fuel Forward."  Basically, if Tanks and APCs are on
  a defensive position - fuel trucks come to each position and refuel.
  On the attack - all vehicles are 'topped off' in the assembly area before
  they launch their attack.  In an assembly area - a POL Point is established
  with fuel trucks and Tanks/APCs go to the fuel point.  

  Every company-size unit has at least one fuel tanker in its headquarters,
  A battalion will have 5 ton tankers in its Headquarters Company, a 
  division has a fleet of 5,000 gallon tankers in its Supply and Transport
  Battalion, of DISCOM and there is a Division POL Officer who plans for
  all the Class III forward throughput and establishes a number of 
  Division Class III POL Points along MSRs (Main Supply Routes).

  Battalions establish a "Battalion Trains" in the rear of the battalion
  AO where fuel trucks set up.  Company tankers come back to resupply -
  then move forward to resupply Tanks/APCs on position.  Brigades establish
  a "Brigade Trains" in the rear of the brigade AO were DISCOM sends a
  5,000 gallong tanker to set up.  Battalion tankers come back to Brigade
  Trains to refuel - then move back to their Battalion Trains POL Point.

  On the move - forward 'Hot Refuel Points' will be established along the
  convoy route.  March units simply pull off to the side of the road -
  "line up at the gas pump" - top off and move out. 

  DISCOM will establish a main division POL Point in the Division Support
  Area (DSA) - empty 5,000 gal tankers return while full 5,000 gal tanker move
  forward.  At the DSA, the Corps Support Command (COSCOM) sets up a
  Corps Forward CLASS III point - in Europe it was a bunch of railroad
  tank cars at the nearest railhead.

  Class III can also be brought in with fuel bladders ('blivits') brought
  in by Corps-level CH-47 Chinook Helicoptors.  Normally, Aviation Fuel
  is brought in this way to the FAARP (Forward Area Aviation Refuel Point).

  
  Its a very complex operation.  But with over 7 years in Mech Infantry
  units - I've never run out of gas!


  mike schmitt


                   "We may only support the force,
                    but without us - the force don't go!"

                        - sign over Class III POL Point, 3 Inf Div 


  [addendum:  some have emailed responses to me - which I have received.
   However, I've tried to respond to all - but my mail is screwed up
   and everything keeps bouncing back.  I'm working on it now - but I
   think I need a bigger hammer.]