Chapter 5
Deploying Force Provider
SECTION I - PREPARATION FOR DEPLOYMENT
REQUESTING FORCE PROVIDER SUPPORT
5-1. A theater or task force requesting Force Provider support must first know exactly what its requirements will be. It must also know how the system will be used; for example, rest and refit, base camp operations, forward operating base, intermediate staging base, evacuation or humanitarian aid. This results in a well-defined mission statement. Based on this mission statement, the request is sent via memo through command channels to HQDA to determine the appropriateness of the request. If approved, HQDA makes the necessary arrangements to release Force Provider module(s) from Army Pre-positioned Stocks. AMC will arrange transport of modules to theater sea port of debarkation (SPOD). At the same time, the requesting organization will perform an analysis to determine the appropriate mode of operation. If full or partial operation by military personnel is deemed the best method, the organization requests deployment of a QM Force Provider Company(s) through the appropriate channels.
5-2. Force Provider is heavily dependent upon other units for essential support throughout all stages of its deployment and employment. Appropriate engineering support is required from heavy engineer assets, maintenance support above the unit level is required from supporting units in the area of operations. Force Provider's reliance on external unit capabilities makes it essential that the mix and match of units and their distribution and location on the battlefield promotes the ability to support Force Provider requirements.
5-3. Most of the procedures outlined in this chapter also apply to in-theater or within area of operation, relatively short-distance relocations (for example, the system "jumps" to better support customer operations, or redeploys to an in-theater re-fit/repair facility).
HOME STATION ACTIVITIES
5-4. After orders are received to deploy, the commander and the first sergeant of the QM Force Provider Company begin deployment alert and recall activities. Preparation for overseas movement will be carried out in order to bring the company to the appropriate strength and to complete necessary administrative tasks. Pre-deployment training will be carried out to ensure mastery of the tasks required to perform the unit's critical mission of "providing Force Provider support."
5-5. Pre-deployment supply activities will be carried out to ensure that the company has sufficient stocks of food, fuel, water, ammunition, repair parts, and other required items to sustain a non-tactical road march from home station to the port of embarkation, and a tactical road march from the port of debarkation to the Force Provider AO. Consideration should also be given to acquiring required support items for the Force Provider Module(s). See Appendix B for the Force Provider System Support Package (SSP). Besides the SSP, certain Class IV construction materials, such as soil, aggregate, lumber, fencing, and gabion wire may also be required, depending on the requirement and availability in the AO.
5-6. The company's publication library must be verified and updated to include the most recent copies of all required publications including technical manuals (TMs). The TMs included with pre-positioned Force Provider modules and operational project stocks are updated only during care of systems in storage (COSIS) cycles (30-month intervals), so an up-to-date library will be invaluable. Electronic Technical Manuals (ETM) are now available and should be utilized. They can be accessed via a publications account established with the U.S. Army Publication Agency (USAPA), website www.usapa.army.mil .
5-7. The commander will assign key personnel from the QM Force Provider Company to deploy as soon as possible, as part of the AMC Army Field Support Brigade (AFSB) advance quartering party. Key personnel include the contracting officer, the engineer officer, and the preventive medicine noncommissioned officer (NCO). The contracting officer will coordinate with the ASCC contracting officer for non-military services and materials. The engineer officer will begin the site selection process with the site selection team and supervise site preparation. The preventive medicine NCO will conduct medical surveillance of the area to determine sanitary conditions and FHP requirements (see FM 4-02.17 and FM 4-25.12 for definitive guidance).
5-8. Planning and preparation for a non-tactical road march from home station to the port(s) of embarkation will be accomplished. The plan will include the route to be taken, time, fuel requirements, and other critical factors. Preparation for the non-tactical road march begins with the performance of corrective maintenance, as required, on mission specific organic equipment. PMCS will also be performed on all organic vehicles and equipment in preparation for an extended deployment.
SECTION II -ADVANCE QUARTERING PARTY ACTIVITIES
SELECTION OF COMPANY ADVANCE QUARTERING PARTY MEMBERS
5-9. Key personnel and other members assigned by the company commander will travel to the theater or AO as part of the AMC AFSB advance quartering party. Key personnel include the contracting officer, the engineer officer, and the preventive medicine NCO. The company commander may coordinate with the leader of the AMC AFSB advance quartering party to determine if other members of the company should be added to the party. The senior ranking company representative will be responsible for all company personnel in the party and will maintain communications with the company commander concerning advance quartering party activities and progress.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ADVANCE QUARTERING PARTY
5-10. The AMC AFSB advance quartering party responsibilities include:
• Securing an appropriate site for the operation of a Force Provider module(s).
• Supervising the physical preparation of the site(s) for setup of the module(s).
• Securing required non-military support and resources for site preparation, setup, and operation.
• Conducting reconnaissance to determine sanitary, environmental, and FHP issues associated with the area of operations.
5-11. Upon allocation of an operating area, the advance quartering party will occupy the area, secure the site, and direct site preparations. They will also perform guide functions, as required, to direct the main body to the operating site.
SELECTING A SITE FOR FORCE PROVIDER OPERATIONS
5-12. The site selection process is the responsibility of the AMC AFSB advance quartering party and begins before the main body moves out from home station. The advance quartering party must consider the mission, political considerations, and availability of appropriate resources in the site selection process. Host nation representation should be included in the process. Force Provider deployment requires many tons of equipment to be transported in and thousands of hours of setup labor, making it crucial that the operating site be secure, safe, accessible, environmentally viable, and suitable for providing effective support. The site selection process is a joint effort typically consisting of the following team members:
• The task force or ASCC of the receiving theater, represented by the plans officer of the rear command post element.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) contingency real estate Acquisition team (CREST), or equivalent assurance of site acquisition either through host nation support (HNS) or leasing.
• Engineer terrain analysis Section of a topographic planning and control company, or equivalent, for terrain and soil analysis.
• USACE force protection specialist or equivalent.
• A representative of the theater engineering unit (military or civilian) selected to perform site preparation.
• Force Provider Company, represented by the contracting officer and engineering officer.
SITE SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
5-13. Mission. Consider the types of units or groups that Force Provider will be supporting and consider the total operational area that will be required.
5-14. Security. The QM Force Provider Company defends against a Level I threat and requires assistance from tenant and/or theater assets for Level II/III threats. In determining the security level of the Force Provider module(s), METT-TC and the units and organizations to be supported must be considered. The security of supply routes and heavily traveled roadways in the AO must also be considered in the security assessment.
5-15. Safety. Safety hazards such as flooding, landslides, or avalanches may exist. Consider previous land uses and slope, such as landfills or other contaminated sites. Since Force Provider consists mainly of tent structures, high wind areas should be avoided. Consideration is given to whether current or previous occupants may have mined the area. Satellite imagery should be (when available) used, along with ground inspection, and local area knowledge to ensure the operating area is free of mines and unexploded ordnance.
5-16. Geographical Terrain and Geological Considerations. Careful selection reduces overall site work, climate control efforts, and drainage requirements. In most cases, flat, gently sloping (7 percent maximum grade), featureless terrain is preferred. However, security or prevailing climate may favor a wooded area. Selecting a site with some vegetation will lessen erosion in a rainy or windy environment and reduce dust in a dry climate. Low elevation points of valleys or other depressed areas where water may collect should be avoided. The total hydrology of the area including the water table throughout the time of the mission should be considered. Soil stabilization requirements should also be kept to a minimum to reduce the overall earthwork required.
• Terrain and soil analysis should be performed in two distinct phases. First - maps, aerial photos, climate records, and other available data should be used to extract and analyze basic terrain, weather, and climate factors. Secondly - these factors should be synthesized to predict their influence on site layout, installation of facilities, utilities, camouflage, and the operation and maintenance of the module(s).
• A thorough ground reconnaissance should be accomplished to verify all information collected. It is also required to obtain data which would not otherwise be available. A site that appears suitable based on aerial mapping may be not suitable for use due to ground or water table conditions.
5-17. Political Considerations. Political factors, including national sentiment and visibility may also influence which sites are available. In some cases, use of an ideal site may be denied. Consider the impact that the system and the presence of U.S. Soldiers will have on the community. When engaged in low intensity operations, consider whether the site selected appears to benefit a particular group or faction more than another.
5-18. Logistical Supportability. Sustained Force Provider operations require large amounts of consumable resources such as electrical power, fuel, and potable water. These may be made available through theater resources or through HNS.
• Electrical Power. The preferred source of electrical support is existing commercial power. To determine the compatibility of existing commercial power with the demands of the operation, the following information must be researched:
• Voltage, phase, and frequency of existing commercial power
• Ability of the existing electrical utility to consistently meet the electrical power demands of operations over the projected timeframe
• Predicted reliability and stability of the power source (potential outages and voltage fluctuations)
• Cost of power lines and step-down transformers. The Force Provider system requires direct high voltage lines from substations with step-down transformers. Simply tapping into low voltage service lines will not provide adequate power. If commercial power is appropriate to support Force Provider operations, plan for diesel-powered generators to serve as emergency backup power for critical subsystems.
• Fuel Resources. Consider supplies of fuel which may be obtained, and the convenience and appropriateness of receiving them from available alternatives. Supplies of JP8 and motor gas (MOGAS) will be required to meet Army fuel standards. Consider also that fuel consumption will be considerably higher if diesel-powered generators are to be used as the main source of electrical power generation.
• Potable Water. The average consumption of potable water per person can range from 20 to 35 gallons per day dependent on conditions. The preferred source of potable water to support operations is existing commercial water. Since Force Provider has the capability to test and treat water, existing commercial water need only meet standards which certify its appropriateness as a source. If an appropriate source of commercial water is not conveniently available, general military water support may be utilized or engineering assets may be requested to evaluate the feasibility of drilling wells to extract ground water.
5-19. Effective lines of communications will be required. Existing lines of communications may be used, if available and adequate, to provide uninterrupted communications services to and from key elements.
5-20. Adequate roads to and from the Force Provider AO will be required to deliver materials and allow access to the site by tenant units. These roads should be adequate for travel by a variety of military and civilian vehicles. Consider the types of vehicles which will use the roads in and around the AO. The weights, heights, and turning radii of: the wastewater evacuation trailer; the water delivery trucks; the fuel delivery trucks, the tank and pump units; the 4K and 10K forklifts; customer unit (tactical) vehicles; and fire-fighting and emergency vehicles must be considered.
5-21. Environmental impact, short term and long term, must be considered before erecting a Force Provider site. Therefore, an environmental baseline survey must be completed before site construction begins. Leaders must also ensure that the site meets all applicable local environmental laws and regulations, even if the local population routinely does not. Environmental compliance program guidance will be sought through the chain of command to ensure that local environmental concerns are properly satisfied.
5-22. Approximately 70 percent of the potable water consumed will be returned as gray water or black water. Gray water and black water are hazardous wastes and potential effects personnel and the environment must be considered. Gray water will be stored using the gray water collection subsystem supplied as part of the system. Black water from the latrines will be stored in the holding tanks of the containerized latrines. It will be collected for disposal using the WWET/T. Disposal of gray water and black water will be considered in the Civil Engineering Support Plan for the theater in which the system is operating. Disposal options include the use of a host nation sewer system (first choice), local contractor haul to a commercial facility, government haul to a commercial facility, or lagoon/field-expedient methods.
5-23. If the host nation sewer system or a local contractor is selected, the persons responsible for the source of the wastewater must ensure it is safely and properly disposed of. Force Provider personnel must verify the integrity of the sewer system before allowing a contractor to dispose of wastewater. Periodic inspections will be done to ensure that wastewater disposal is IAW the environmental provisions of the disposal contract and other provisions. If a host nation sewer system is not available, other options must be found. Hauling wastewater to existing facilities is one option, although its potential logistical impact is normally high.. On-site collection, treatment, and release of wastewater are engineering issues which will be accomplished IAW local directives, and host nation laws and regulations on waste disposal.
5-24. Solid refuse waste must be collected and disposed of properly to keep the area sanitary and to protect the environment, although they are normally non-hazardous items, and are usually disposed of in a CONUS landfill. The preferred method of disposal for solid waste is an existing landfill near the operating area. If an existing landfill is not available, engineering assets will be required to prepare an appropriate landfill. The ultimate fate or disposal of these items should be known prior to generating them. There may be special, local management procedures required prior to turn-in of these items. The chain of command must be consulted to determine specific requirements, and ensure that they are incorporated into the unit environmental program.
RECONNAISSANCE AND INFORMATION COLLECTION
5-25. In order to gather information about potential sites, many sources should be consulted. No one source of information should be relied upon exclusively, especially in parts of the world where topographic and climate data are not extensive. The main source of site selection information should be collected through the following types of reconnaissance conducted by the AMC AFSB advance quartering party.
5-26. Reconnaissance Survey. The main purpose of a reconnaissance survey is to locate a site best suited to meet requirements of the general company layout and work required. Reconnaissance operations vary with the operational environment, assigned mission, and the size, type, and composition of the reconnaissance element. An aerial, map, or ground reconnaissance is required to determine potential Force Provider sites.
5-27. Route Reconnaissance. Route reconnaissance should be performed to determine the suitability of specific routes, limited to critical terrain data. It should be adequately recorded on a map overlay or sketch and be supplemented by reports about various aspects of the terrain.
5-28. Road Reconnaissance. Road reconnaissance is performed to determine the traffic capabilities of existing roads. It is also used to provide more detailed information than is given by the route reconnaissance. It may include enough information to develop work estimates for improving the road. DA Form 1248 should be used to record this information. Maps and sketches should be used as necessary.
NONMILITARY RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
5-29. The Force Provider unit depends on many assets, especially during deployment. In-theater support assets must be determined as early as possible, with additional requirements coordinated well in advance of deployment. Communications channels with the logistics, transportation, and engineering elements must be set up early. This will greatly improve the chances of a successful deployment.
5-30. Force Provider personnel are not directly responsible for real estate acquisition. However, they eventually may have to deal with problems caused by poorly written contracts and support agreements. Force Provider personnel should ensure all agreements, leases, and contracts are fully reviewed by engineer and legal experts within the USACE district.
5-31. Purchase or lease agreements should be made final prior to the start of site preparation. The earlier a site is selected and prepared, the more efficiently the Force Provider camp will be constructed. Leases or purchases should be completed before the start of any site preparation activities. HNS agreements already exist in many nations throughout the world. An accurate and thorough survey of capabilities in the receiving theater will aid a successful deployment. HNS requirements will be directed by the ASCC.
5-32. All levels of HNS need to be considered. New construction should be avoided whenever possible. In many cases, expansion and rehabilitation of existing sites is adequate. An existing kitchen facility, for instance, could be outfitted and/or supplemented with Force Provider cooking appliances to provide a better facility than using the TEMPER based kitchen. The Army Corps of Engineers also maintains construction-contracting agencies that can assist with local construction. When existing facilities are proposed, minimum shelter requirements must be met. The Theater Civil Engineering Support Plan and/or Annex D of the Operations Order will set minimum standards. Soldiers should not be billeted in or be forced to use sub-standard structures as a cost-saving measure.
SITE PLANNING AND PREPARATION
5-33. Site planning is the process of changing a prospective site into a workable layout for a Force Provider module. Preparing a site will likely involve many personnel from several military and/or contract agencies. In order to avoid confusion and expedite the collective effort, tasks assigned to each organization must be well defined in terms of scope, standards of work, timelines and duration. Task completion progress must be monitored. Corrective actions must be completed in a timely fashion.
5-34. Baseline Environmental Survey. The first step in the preparation process should be a baseline environmental survey. This survey will determine and document the existing conditions of the site. The purposes of the survey are two-fold. First - it assesses the site's environmental state before Force Provider use. This may then be used as evidence of the Army's compliance with environmental protection program. Secondly - it may be used to restore the site after it is no longer required for Force Provider operations.
5-35. Layout. In most cases, the recommended site layout provided in this FM should be used. Other resources, such as additional tents and other equipment that the site may need must be considered and adjustments to the layout plan are made where required. These may include issues involving billets and space for firefighters, utility teams, MWR personnel, and the hazardous waste accumulation areas. Deviations may be necessary to fit the system to a particular site or mission. When an alternative layout will be used, minimum spacing and elevation relationships between subsystems must be maintained. See Table 5-1 for minimum spacing requirements between subsystems. Engineer units have the necessary knowledge to develop alternate plans.
5-36. Earthwork. The supporting combat engineer battalion, heavy, US Air Force Red Horse Squadron, navy mobile construction battalions (Sea Bees), contractor, or the theater of operations contract construction agent (CCA) are capable of preparing the site. During site preparation, potential environmental impacts and site restoration requirements must be considered. Every effort will be made to not disturb the site any more than is absolutely necessary. In order to gauge whether a site is "good," "fair," or "poor," Table 5-2 may be used to determine a baseline assessment. If the site does not fall entirely into one category, best judgment and experience are required to estimate site preparation time. If possible, cut and fill materials should be available on the site to facilitate site restoration. Depending on local conditions, dust abatement may be required during setup. Engineers have this capability and should be consulted as required. Attempts should be made to minimize removal of existing grass and vegetation to reduce dust and erosion. Table 5-3 shows the estimated site preparation times for various Army engineering assets for three categories of existing site conditions. This information should be used only as estimates for a standard Force Provider module. If the current mission involves additional equipment, space, or services, site preparation times will increase accordingly.
Table 5·1. Minimum Spacing Between Subsystems
Table 5·2. Existing Conditions
Table 5·3. Estimated Man·hours for Site Preparation
5-37. Road Construction. Roads in the Force Provider compound must be able to support heavy vehicles such as rough-terrain forklifts, heavy equipment transporters (HETs), and the tracked vehicles of tenant units. If not constructed correctly, roads will require additional maintenance to keep them serviceable under heavy traffic conditions.
5-38. Drainage. Since the majority of Force Provider subsystems are tent-based, drainage is a top concern. Subsystems should be positioned to allow proper drainage of the site itself and to avoid drainage of nearby land into the area. Runoff due to heavy rain must be channeled away from key subsystems. The latrines must always be positioned downhill from the kitchen to prevent runoff from reaching the cooking area. Local regulations and climate will affect the actions which must be taken for positive drainage control. When laying out the site, the desired ground elevation relationships of the subsystems must be kept in mind. Note that in order to prevent contamination from spills that could be caused by natural drainage flow, the bulk fuel storage area must be positioned lower in elevation than all of the other Force Provider functional areas except the gray water storage and HW sites.
5-39. Site Survey and Staking. The site must be surveyed and staked out prior to the set up any module subsystems. Once surveyed, the control points for each subsystem will be marked with a stake and flag (or spray paint on hardstand) lAW the site layout. Within each subsystem, the operators will stake the location of tents and equipment lAW the Force Provider TM using the control points as reference. Setup of each subsystem should adhere strictly to the marked staking plan.
