The combat support is a system of measures enshrined in the charter aimed at eliminating the possibility of a surprise attack by the enemy and reducing the effectiveness of these attacks. They also consist in creating suitable conditions for units and subunits for conducting military operations.
The types of combat support have changed over time. Some of them either became independent industries, or were included in others, and sometimes they outgrew the support framework and were included in the content of the battle.
Through time
The First World War laid the foundation for the development of combat support. Before her, there were only three of its types: camouflage, reconnaissance and conservation. However, during the war, tanks, aviation and chemical weapons began to be used for the first time, so the foundation was laid for such branches of support as anti-tank, anti-aircraft defense and anti-chemical defense of troops. There was also a need for meteorological support due to the use of aeronautical vehicles and artillery fire from closed positions.
After the Great Patriotic War, certain adjustments were introduced in the types of support for military operations. Due to the increase in joints between units and units and the relatively low density of assets and forces during maneuvering operations, the flanks and joints between units and units became especially vulnerable. This led to the emergence of a new industry, which was called the provision of flanks and joints. Also during World War II, protection against airborne assault forces also became a support industry.
Antibacterial and anti-nuclear protection began to be used for the first time in the post-war period. Later, together with anti-chemical protection, they entered a new support industry, called the protection of troops from weapons of mass destruction.
Such types as anti-aircraft and anti-tank defense, defense against airborne assault forces, providing flanks, became part of combined arms combat and as types of combat support were abolished.
Tactical intelligence
The main types of combat support for troops include primarily intelligence. This is a system of measures to collect and study information about the enemy’s troops and military assets, as well as the terrain in which military operations are to be conducted. The main goal of reconnaissance is to establish the military composition, location, condition and grouping of enemy troops, special attention should be paid to nuclear and chemical means of attack, high-precision weapons systems. As a result of reconnaissance, flaws in the enemy’s defense and its strengths, the presence and nature of engineering equipment in the occupied area, and the possibility of using nuclear and chemical weapons are studied. Among other things, the social side is also important: the mood among the local population, the economic situation and the socio-political composition are explored.
Successful reconnaissance provides the opportunity for a timely reaction to enemy actions and the successful entry into battle of units and subunits, as well as the realization of the entire combat potential of the troops.
Disguise
One of the most important types of security is camouflage. This is a system of measures that should hide from the alleged enemy the deployment of their troops, their number, equipment, their combat readiness, intentions and actions. The constant improvement of intelligence means forcing to constantly work on camouflage means. The main requirements are activity, constancy and continuity, diversity and credibility.
By activity is meant the ability in any conditions to demonstrate and impose on the enemy false information about the situation, intentions and composition of their troops. Credibility assumes that all measures taken must be appropriate to the situation, while taking into account the various capabilities of enemy intelligence, because they are applied in a comprehensive manner. Constancy and continuity - this requirement means that camouflage measures should be carried out not only in preparation for the battle, but also in case of any changes in the situation, as well as directly during the battle. The use of various camouflage methods eliminates stereotyping, and therefore reduces the effectiveness of enemy intelligence.
Engineering support
Engineering entered the types of comprehensive support for hostilities during the First World War, but has changed qualitatively over time. In the modern world, the engineering support industry has to solve a number of complex tasks related to creating suitable conditions for military operations, increasing protection against enemy weapons, and also striking at a supposed enemy with the help of engineering tools.
Effective work of this industry is impossible without engineering reconnaissance of the enemy, facilities and the area of operations. The tasks of engineering support include fortification work on the ground, the deployment of communications and control points, as well as the destruction of enemy engineering facilities (clearance, removal of obstacles and barriers, maintenance of crossings and traffic routes). As part of the engineering support, measures are being taken to supply water, as well as camouflage troops and military facilities.
Chemical supply
This industry includes not only measures to protect troops from weapons of mass destruction (abbreviated as ZOMP), but also control over their use, as well as the use of masking fumes.
This type of collateral is also based on intelligence. The tasks of radiation and chemical reconnaissance include detecting the corresponding infection and supplying the headquarters with data on the situation on the ground and in the lower atmosphere. If there is an infection, its degree, nature and extent are detected, the boundaries of the infected zones are indicated, and ways to bypass them are organized. The same experts take measures on bacteriological (biological) nonspecific reconnaissance, the result of which is to obtain information about the enemy using bacteriological weapons and protecting their troops from it.
As part of the chemical support, dosimetric and chemical control is carried out. In case of contamination of the troops, special treatment is carried out to maintain their combat effectiveness. It includes decontamination, degassing and disinfection of equipment, weapons, engineering and material means, if necessary, sanitization of personnel.
Masking smoke is used to blind the enemy. They also allow you to simulate the effect of false objects and mask the position of their troops. Smokes counteract some types of enemy reconnaissance, impede photographing, video surveillance and visual control, and interfere with the operation of other equipment.
All types of combat support should be used collectively and continuously, during the battle and its preparation, during the movement of troops and their location on the ground. In view of the constant expansion of tasks and the reduction of their execution time, most of the support work is assigned to the troops themselves, and only the most complex tasks requiring special knowledge and the availability of equipment are performed by units of special troops, for example, engineering troops.
The organizers of the support activities are the chief of staff and the chiefs of labor and units of special forces.
Oldest industry
Security is one of the main types of combat support that existed before the First World War. Without exception, all units and subunits, regardless of conditions, during the conduct of the battle and its preparation, when the troops are moving and are located on the ground, are required to carry out security measures. The purpose of the guard is to exclude the possibility of a surprise attack by the enemy, prevent enemy reconnaissance and create favorable conditions for the entry of troops into the battle. The task of preventing sudden attacks from the air was once also entrusted to the guard, but in modern conditions this has become impossible without the use of special radar air defense systems.
Types of combat support for aviation
The Air Force, in view of the need to conduct combat operations in the air, has slightly different types of combat support, but some of them are classic (camouflage, chemical support, air reconnaissance) adjusted for a different exposure medium.
Electronic warfare is a set of measures to detect and suppress enemy electronic weapons, and, accordingly, protect their own RES from interference caused by the enemy.
Navigation support includes a number of measures to ensure the safety, reliability and accuracy of flight along routes, timely withdrawal of aircraft equipment at facilities, and the most effective use of existing weapons. As part of the navigational support, calculations and data are prepared, the use of radio engineering and radio navigation systems (both ground and airborne), as well as solving problems directly in battle.
The Air Force also has a radio-technical support industry, the essence of which is to receive accurate information on the position of airborne vehicles in space in a timely manner, supply pilots with data for precise guidance on targets (airborne and ground), and ensure safety during takeoff and landing at aerodromes.
Search and rescue support includes measures to supply aircraft crews with life-saving equipment and preparation for their use, training and technical equipment of crews involved in rescue operations, search for aircraft, which have suffered a disaster and help them.
Weather and Terrain
Topographic and geodetic support is aimed at collecting data on the terrain in which military operations will be conducted. The tasks of this industry include supplying the headquarters with maps, special and topographic, photo documents of the area, preparing gravimetric and geodetic information, measures for topographic reconnaissance, predicting possible problems during combat.
The purpose of meteorological support is to notify the headquarters, units and units of troops about meteorological conditions in the zone of direct hostilities or in the area where maneuvers are necessary. These reports include both forecasts and actual weather information. However, the main purpose is still to achieve maximum efficiency of aviation operations and ensure flight safety.
This is a type of collateral that needs to be given no less attention than the rest. Its tasks are to prevent the sudden attack of enemy troops (both ground and air) on rear targets, as well as their direct defense in battle. By order of the commander, additional funds provided by combat units can be allocated to solve such problems.
Different conditions dictate a variety of protection methods. This may be the performance of guard duty, the construction of observation posts, the dispatch of patrols and patrols. Be sure to take measures to protect against penetration of local residents and enemy groups with the aim of reconnaissance and sabotage, not only directly to the rear facilities, but also to evacuation and transportation routes.
Rear control is an integral part of troop control, it is carried out by the commander himself or by persons who replace him (heads of services, headquarters, and rear deputies).
Health and comfort
Types of combat support also include medical support. This is a set of measures to preserve the combat readiness of troops, strengthen the health of soldiers and quickly return to service the wounded and sick. Medical support includes measures to protect against weapons of mass destruction, as well as the evacuation of the wounded, the deployment of field hospitals, timely assistance to the wounded, anti-epidemic and sanitary-hygienic treatment.
Medical intelligence is aimed at identifying those factors that can affect the health of personnel in the area of command. A study is being made of the living conditions of the population and the sanitary condition of settlements, the presence of infections among local residents is established, if sources are identified, foci of disease are localized. As a result of medical intelligence, if any, foci of contaminated areas and sources of water are indicated. In unfamiliar areas, information about toxic animals and plants is especially important.
Material support consists in the satisfaction of units and units in the necessary material means. It includes the delivery of food and household items, their storage and timely delivery. Material means also include all types of weapons, military and transport equipment, fuel, medical, clothing and engineering equipment, ammunition and other materials. Depending on the situation, additional inventories of material assets may be created, as well as their transfer to other parts and units.
Repairs
The composition of the combat support is supplemented by the repair of weapons and equipment. The task of this industry is to maintain and restore the working condition of technical equipment, as well as to care for them to increase the resource of work. In a combat situation, repairs are usually carried out directly at the site of failure or, if possible, in the nearest shelter. Special repair units are involved in this. Fault repair can take place at the deployment sites. Repair can be current (replacement of faulty parts, adjustment work) and medium (restoration of equipment characteristics, which is achieved by replacing or repairing damaged mechanisms). Given this, the current repair can be carried out in the field, the average repair is longer in time, but increases the technical resource of the sample.
There are principles for determining the priority of repairs. The first in line, as during the evacuation, are the weapon mechanism, military and engineering equipment, which are directly necessary for the performance of a combat mission. Of these, the first to be repaired are units that require the least expenditure of time and resources, and, therefore, will be brought back into combat state the fastest.
Also, the combat support includes the evacuation of faulty equipment to nearby shelters, to transport routes, and to locations of repair units. Evacuation also involves the removal of equipment from under water, blockages, drifts, turning overturned samples.
Training
The importance of the technical support of the troops cannot be overestimated; it was included in the main part of the command and control of the troops and is carried out personally by the commander and those who replace him. However, for the effective use of technical equipment, some training of the troops is necessary. The personnel must know the features of the operation of their equipment, this knowledge is developed and consolidated through theoretical studies and practical work. The time allocated for the development of a particular tool, as well as the issues studied during preparation, is determined by the commander. The soldiers master the equipment in accordance with the specialization of their unit or unit: radio equipment, armored vehicles and automobile equipment, rocket and artillery means, defense, communications equipment, etc. In necessary cases, specialists of engineering services may be involved in the preparation.
