MCWP 4-11.3

Transportation 

Operations

U.S. Marine Corps 

PCN 143 000083 00 

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Unless otherwise stated, whenever the masculine gender is used, both 

men and women are included.
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

Headquarters United States Marine Corps 

Washington, D.C. 20380-1775

5 September 2001

FOREWORD

Marine Corps Warfighting Publication (MCWP) 4-11.3, Transportation Operations,

addresses the fundamental principles required for the planning and execution of Marine

air-ground task force (MAGTF) transportation operations. This manual provides an

overview of transportation support and motor transport organizational structure,

transportation task organizations, movement fundamentals, procedures, and

capabilities.

MCWP 4-11.3 provides a broad doctrinal overview for commanders and their staffs on

transportation support and motor transport tasks and functions in support of the

MAGTF. Specifically, it gives general planning requirements, command relationships,

support requirements and considerations, and capabilities.

MCWP 4-11.3 supersedes FMFM 4-9, Motor Transport, dated 27 April 1992 and

FMFM 4-3, MAGTF Landing Support Operations, dated 25 January 1994.

Reviewed and approved this date.

BY DIRECTION OF THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS

/s/

EDWARD HANLON, JR.

Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps

Commanding General 

Marine Corps Combat Development Command

DISTRIBUTION: 143 000083 00
TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1. Transportation Overview

Sub-Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Motor Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Materials Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Landing Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Embarkation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Freight/Passenger Transportation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Aerial Delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Port and Terminal Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Throughput Concept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Deployment Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Concept of Deployment Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Deployment Agencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Deployment Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Employment Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Transportation within the AOR/Theater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Movement Control in the AO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Movement Control in Theater Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Chapter 2. Transportation Organizations

Force Service Support Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Transportation Support Battalion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Headquarters and Service Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Support Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Landing Support Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Beach and Terminal Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Motor Transport Company, General Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Motor Transport Company, Direct Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Marine Division Motor Transport. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Division. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Motor Transport Section, Division Headquarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Marine Aircraft Wing Motor Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7

Marine Wing Support Squadron, Marine Wing Support Group, MAW . . . 2-7

Motor Transport Operations Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7

Transportation Task Organizations LFSP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8

Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8

Headquarters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
iv ________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Shore Party Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9

Beach Party Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13

Special Attachments to LSFP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15

Arrival and Assembly Operations Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15

Tactical-Logistics Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16

Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16

Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16

Tasks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17

Task Organization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18

Helicopter Support Teams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18

Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18

HST Organizational Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19

Chapter 3. Transportation Command and Control

Movement Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Movement Control Agencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Movement Control in the Area of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Host-Nation Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Standardization Agreements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Motor Transport Command and Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Command Relationships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Supporting Transportation Unit Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Supported Unit Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

Transportation C2 in Amphibious/Landing Support Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

Shore Party and Beach Party Teams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

Shore Party and Beach Party Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

Landing Force Support Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7

Helicopter Support Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7

Reports and Records. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7

Communications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

Beach and Landing Site Markers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

Transportation C2 in MPF Arrival and Assembly Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

Arrival and Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

Commencement and Disestablishment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

Arrival and Assembly Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10

Automated Information Systems Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

MAGTF II/Logistics Automated Information System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

Supporting Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16

Joint Deployment Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Transportation Operations___________________________________________________________________________________ v

Chapter 4. Landing Support Operations

The Planning Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Preliminary Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Concurrent Planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Detailed Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Parallel Planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Augmentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Planning Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Planning Documents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Intelligence Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Ship-to-Shore Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Shore Party Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Helicopter Support Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Shore Party Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Beach Party Team. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Landing Force Support Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Operations Ashore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Shore Party Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Shore Party Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Organization of the Beach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

Chapter 5. Other Transportation Support Operations

Air Movement Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Tasks and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Planning Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Coordination Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Air Delivery Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Tasks and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Planning Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Coordination Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Helicopter Support Tea Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Role of the LFSP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

HST Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Ship-to-Shore Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Organization and Function of the Helicopter Landing Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Port Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

Tasks and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9

Planning Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
vi ________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Coordination Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10

Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10

Rail Movement Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10

Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11

Tasks and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11

Planning Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11

Coordination Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12

Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12

Motor Transport Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12

Jungle Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12

Desert Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13

Mountain Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14

Cold Weather Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15

Mobile Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17

Mechanized Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17

Appendices 

A. Beach and Landing Site Markers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

B. Departure Airfield Control Group Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

C. Arrival Airfield Control Group Checklist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

D. Deploying Unit and D/AACG Planning and Preparation Phase

Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1

E. Deploying Unit and D/AACG Requirements During the Execution Phase . . . E-1

F. Glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-1

G. References and Related Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1
CHAPTER 1. TRANSPORTATION OVERVIEW

Sub-Functions

The sub-functions of transportation include—

l Motor Transport.

l Materials Handling.

l Landing Support.

l Embarkation.

l Freight/Passenger Transportation.

l Aerial Delivery.

l Port and Terminal Operations.

Motor Transport

Motor transport is surface transportation using

wheeled vehicles. It is the most versatile mode of

transport. It links the aerial ports, ocean ports, supply

centers, rail, and inland waterway terminals. During

combat operations, motor transport links combat

service support (CSS) units and combat units. It is an

all-weather mode of transport that the MAGTF

commander can use over any trafficable terrain, to

include off-road. Motor transport units can move

nearly any type of cargo. They can provide local, line

or zonal hauls. The commander may use organic,

attached, contracted or supporting motor transport

assets to support operations.

The Marine Corps motor transport system provides

an effective means of meeting the requirements of

the landing force for ground transportation. The

tactical motor transport fleet is specifically designed

to provide ground mobility to combat, combat

support, and CSS units. The restructured CSS

organization has resulted in a change in motor

transport operations philosophy, a reorganization of

motor transport units, and a reallocation of associated

resources within the Marine Corps. 

Function

The function of motor transport is to provide elements

of the MAGTF with tactical and logistical motor

transport support. This support includes the

transportation of personnel, weapons, communications

equipment, general cargo, specialized cargo, and

shelters/containers conforming to American

National Standards Institute/International

Standardization Organization (ISO) specifications.

Capabilities

Marine Corps motor transport units are organized and

equipped to perform missions under all environmental

conditions. Only minor changes in equipment are

required for extreme conditions of climate and terrain.

In most cases, these changes are made by the

installation of special kits. Motor transport equipment

includes vehicles that are designed to meet all

assigned motor transport missions. Increased

efficiency of authorized motor transport assets is

achieved through—

l Equipment standardization with fewer types of vehicles.

l Centralized control of vehicles assigned combat

service support missions to ensure effective, on

time delivery of support.

l Decentralized control of vehicles providing tactical

mobility missions to combat units to ensure

maximum flexibility.

Materials Handling

Materials handling is the movement of materials to,

through, and from productive processes; in

warehouses and storage; and in receiving and shipping

areas. (Joint Publication [JP] 1-02, Department of

Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms)

Materials handling equipment (MHE) is a group of

mechanical devices for handling of supplies with

greater ease and economy. (JP 1-02) Effective use of

available MHE is essential to movement control and

maintaining the throughput of supplies and equipment.

Landing Support

Landing support is the assistance provided to effect

the efficient and responsive throughput of personnel,

supplies, and equipment during the ship-to-shore
1-2 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

movement phase of the amphibious assault or across

beaches in support of operations ashore. It includes

control of the flow of personnel and material across

the beach and into landing zones. Landing support

does not end when the MAGTF completes the assault.

It continues through landing of the assault follow-on

echelons (AFOEs). Landing support also includes the

evacuation of casualties and enemy prisoners of war

(EPWs) during the early stages of the assault.

Embarkation

Embarkation is the process of putting personnel and/or

vehicles and their associated stores and equipment into

ships and/or aircraft. (JP 1-02) A characteristic of

successful operations is the rapid and effective manner

in which a MAGTF can establish itself ashore. The

MAGTF must expand its power and size to the

maximum in the shortest possible time. This requires a

rapid and orderly buildup of personnel and material.

The ability to do this depends largely on the manner in

which the MAGTF has loaded its transportation

vessels/assets for deployment. Proper loading

increases the flexibility of the MAGTF.

Freight/Passenger Transportation

Freight/passenger transportation includes the

procurement of both Department of Defense (DOD) and

commercial transportation assets. It encompasses the

movement of personnel, equipment, and supplies via all

modes of transportation (air, bus/truck, rail, and water).

It includes planning for troop movements on scheduled

or chartered trains, aircraft, and buses in continental

United States (CONUS) and overseas. It also entails

port calling of passengers for overseas movement.

Aerial Delivery

Aerial delivery is the in-flight delivery of specially

rigged equipment and supplies to land-based forces. It

is performed by either fixed-winged or rotary-winged

aircraft from varying altitudes.

Port and Terminal Operations

A port is a place at which ships may discharge or

receive their cargoes. It includes any port accessible to

ships on the seacoast, navigable rivers or inland

waterways. (JP 1-02) A port operation is the

expeditious loading and unloading of personnel,

supplies, and equipment. 

Terminal operations are defined as the reception,

processing, and staging of passengers; the receipt,

transit storage, and marshaling of cargo; the loading

and unloading of ships or aircraft; and the manifesting

and forwarding of cargo and passengers to

destination. (JP 1-02) 

Whereas port operations are specific to the loading

and unloading of ships, terminal operations encompass

any or all modes of transportation (air, rail, water,

land, pipeline) and throughput procedures. A

terminal can be any military or commercial

transportation facility.

Throughput Concept 

Throughput is the flow of sustainability assets in

support of military operations, at all levels of war,

from point of origin to point of use. It involves the

movement of personnel and material over lines of

communications (LOCs) using pipelines and

distribution systems. (JP 1-02)

For the purposes of this publication, the throughput

concept is defined as the logistical infrastructure that

links—

l Production logistics to consumer logistics.

l Sources of operating forces’ military capability to

the sustainability of those forces.

The throughput system is composed of LOCs; the

pipeline and associated distribution systems; posts,

bases, and airfields; and civilian agencies and

supporting forces, which operate those facilities

and installations.

The throughput concept involves all those pipelineoriented functions, activities, facilities, procedures,

and control methods necessary to create, maintain, and

sustain the force. In relation to the functions of

operational logistics and CSS, such functions and

activities are primarily transportation and supply

related. However, throughput ranges from contracting

for the initial movement from points of origin to points
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 1-3

of departure, to in-transit support, to ship-to-shore

movement, to the inland transfer of personnel,

supplies and equipment to points of use.

Deployment Transportation

Concept of Deployment Support

Deployment and redeployment of forces and support

of those forces are functions of command. The

deploying MAGTF/unit is the supported command.

Units and organizations that support the deploying

MAGTF/unit are supporting commands.

Deployment support is support provided to forces to

allow the efficient and effective movement of forces

from the point or origin to port of embarkation (POE),

POE to port of debarkation (POD), and POD to final

destination. Deployment support allows the deploying

MAGTF/unit to properly marshal, stage, embark,

debark, and employ.

Supporting commands provide support to deploying

MAGTFs during deployments and ensure that forces,

sustainment, replacements, and supplies are available,

prepared, and moved to the POE in the types and

amounts required by the deploying MAGTF. This is

accomplished by activating control organizations,

reserve units and base/station support organizations,

and by coordinating with the supporting

establishment, Headquarters Marine Corps, and the

transportation component commands of United

States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM).

Deployment planning encompasses both deliberate

and crisis action planning. 

Deployment execution can encompass several phases,

including—

l Preparation for movement.

l Movement from unit areas to marshaling areas.

l Movement from marshaling areas to staging areas

at air and/or sea ports of embarkation (A/SPOE).

l Movement from A/SPOE to air and/or sea ports of

debarkation (A/SPOD).

l Movement from A/SPOD to tactical assembly

areas.

Deployment Agencies

MAGTFs deploy from permanent installations for

training exercises, forward deployments, and combat

operations. Regardless of the type of deploying force,

designated transportation operating agencies control

and coordinate the marshaling, embarkation, and

movement of forces.

External

External organizations involved in transportation

planning/execution may include— 

l Supported commander in chief (CINC).

l Supporting CINC(s).

l Subordinate Joint Forces/Commanders such as

Joint Task Forces (JTFs), Joint Logistics Over the

Shore (JLOTS) Commander and Joint Interagency

Task Forces (JIATFs).

l Other service components (U.S. Army, Navy, and

Air Force) such as Army echelon above corps units.

l Fleet commander.

l USTRANSCOM and its subordinate commands:

n Military Sealift Command (MSC).

n Air Mobility Command (AMC).

n Military Traffic Management Command

(MTMC).

l Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

Internal

Marine Corps commands may include— 

l Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

l Marine Force(s).

l Deploying Marine expeditionary forces (MEFs).

l Deploying MAGTF command element (if other

than a MEF).

l Divisions, aircraft wings, and force service support

groups (FSSGs) that are providing elements to the

MAGTF.
1-4 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

l Bases and air stations from which the forces deploy.

l Marine Corps Materiel Command.

Deployment Modes

Transportation modes vary depending on the type of

MAGTF, the purpose and duration of the deployment,

and the anticipated employment. Deployments of

MEFs generally require use of all transportation

modes. MEFs are the most complex deployments from

a transportation perspective, as elements of the MEF

commonly deploy from different bases and stations,

which may be in widely separated geographic areas.

Employment Transportation

Transportation within the AOR/Theater

Transportation in the area of responsibility (AOR)/

theater includes the organic assets of the MAGTF. It

may also include transportation belonging to the joint

force commander (JFC), coalition forces or the host

nation. Assets may include airlift, rail, trucks, ships,

barges, and pipelines.

Movement Control in the AO

The component commander is responsible for

movement control in the assigned area of operations

(AO) and normally delegates this responsibility to

subordinate commanders within whose zones of action

or areas the movement takes place. 

Movement Control in Theater Areas

When operating as part of a unified command or JTF,

the MAGTF commander follows the traffic

management and movement control regulations of that

command. Normally, the higher commander

establishes a movement control agency such as a joint

movement center (JMC) to provide movement

management services and highway traffic regulation.

This agency coordinates with allied and host nation

movement control agencies.
CHAPTER 2. TRANSPORTATION ORGANIZATIONS

Force Service Support Group

In addition to the motor transport assets of

Transportation Support Battalion (TSB), most units

within the FSSG are authorized motor transport

equipment to meet organic lift requirements.

Note: The organizations described within this chapter

are notional. Geographic location and unique or

specific mission requirements may dictate that

structure will differ from that depicted. 

Transportation Support Battalion 

The TSB provides motor transport and landing support

for the MAGTF (see figure 2-1). The TSB can provide

the nucleus of personnel and equipment from which a

landing force support party (LFSP) or combat service

support element (CSSE) is task- organized. The TSB

has the assets required to support all types of Navy and

Marine Corps operations. 

Mission

Provide tactical throughput support and associated

command and control (C2) for the MAGTF to

facilitate the distribution of personnel, equipment, and

supplies by air, ground, and sea.

Tasks 

l Provide centralized command, control, and

communications for landing support, distribution and

throughput functions (including port and terminal

operations), materials handling, air delivery

support, convoy operations, and motor

transportation during operations conducted by

the MAGTF.

l Provide selected heavy equipment lift augmentation

in support of the MAGTF.

l Transport personnel, equipment, and supplies

within organic lift capabilities.

l Provide throughput and distribution of bulk, liquid,

containerized, and dry cargo.

l Provide port and terminal operations at ports,

beaches, airheads, railheads, and cargo terminals,

and management of freight/passenger and

breakbulk/container cargo throughput.

l Provide air delivery support for MAGTF

operations.

l Perform basic engineer tasks required for landing

support operations to include austere site

preparations, construction/removal of obstacles and

barriers, and establishment of routes of egress from

the beach when properly augmented.

Figure 2-1. Transportation Support Battalion.
2-2 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

l Provide a nucleus for the task organization of

LFSP/arrival and assembly operations group

(AAOG) from organic assets to provide C2

structure for the landing support and distribution for

initial CSS for MAGTF operations.

l Provide security for organic units.

Concept of Organization

The battalion is organized to plan, coordinate, and

supervise the throughput and distribution functions in

support of MAGTF operations. It is structured to

facilitate task organization for operations conducted

by the battalion in support of the MAGTF.

Concept of Employment

The battalion is structured to facilitate task

organization for landing support and throughput

operations conducted in support of the MAGTF. It is

equipped to provide medium through heavy cargo

transportation to the MAGTF. Additionally, the

battalion provides the initial source for centralized

CSS for MAGTF operations.

Headquarters and Service Company

Mission

Provide C2, administration, and command support

functions for TSB, FSSG.

Tasks 

l Provide command support functions to include

supply, ordnance, information management, and

food service support for the battalion.

l Provide organizational maintenance for ordnance

and communication-electronic equipment.

l Provide support for the battalion’s local security.

Concept of Organization

The company is organized to plan, coordinate, and

supervise the command support functions for the

battalion. It is structured to facilitate task organization

for operations conducted by the battalion in support of

MAGTF operations.

Concept of Employment

The company provides the command support

functions to plan, coordinate, and supervise the

general intermodal transportation, landing support,

and throughput functions conducted by the battalion in

support of the MAGTF.

Support Company

Mission

Provide MHE, container handling support, and

organizational maintenance support for engineer and

motor transport assets of the battalion in support of

MAGTF operations (see figure 2-2).

Tasks

l Provide MHE support for the MAGTF beyond the

organic capability of supported units.

l Provide specialized MHE and container handling

support for the management of container/cargo

throughput operations on beaches, at ports,

railheads, airheads, and cargo terminals.

Figure 2-2. Support Company.
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 2-3

l Provide organizational (1st, 2d echelon)

maintenance support for engineer and motor

transport equipment organic to the battalion.

Concept of Organization

The company is organized to plan, coordinate, and

supervise the command support functions of the

company. It is structured to facilitate task organization

for throughput operations conducted by the battalion

in support of the MAGTF.

Concept of Employment

The company provides centralized support to expedite

throughput operations. It is equipped with tactical

engineering cranes, buckets, graders, forklifts, and

light sets to facilitate operations. The company can be

task-organized to provide CSSEs.

Landing Support Company

Mission

Provide direct support for landing and throughput

operations at helicopter landing zones (HLZs), assault

beaches, and airfields (see figure 2-3).

Tasks

l Provide shore party and/or helicopter support teams

(HSTs) in direct support of assault and sustained

operations.

l Prepare, mark, and control assault landing beaches

or zones as required.

l Establish multi-class supply storage sites ashore.

l Coordinate the unloading of supplies and

equipment from landing craft, ships, and helicopters

through designated assault beaches and HLZs.

l Coordinate transportation support for the

evacuation of casualties, noncombatants, and

EPWs.

l Provide departure airfield control group/arrival

airfield control group (DACG/AACG) to control

and coordinate the loading and unloading of units

deploying or redeploying by fixed-wing aircraft.

Concept of Organization

The company is organized to provide the nucleus of

personnel and equipment required for a shore party

group or AAOG.

Concept of Employment

The company provides direct landing support in

support of amphibious and helicopterborne operations.

When reinforced with battalion assets, it provides the

nucleus for the shore party group and AAOG which

provides initial throughput and sustainment for the

MAGTF. Upon establishment of the CSSE,

operational control passes to the CSSE commander for

the continuation of direct landing support as required.

The company coordinates local security for a colored

beach. The company can provide AACG/DACG to

support deploying/redeploying units. 

Figure 2-3. Landing Support Company.
2-4 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Beach and Terminal Operations 

Mission

Provide general transportation support to coordinate

throughput operations for the MAGTF (see

figure 2-4). 

Tasks

l Provide personnel and equipment for the loading,

unloading, and movement of supplies and

equipment at ports, beaches, railheads, airheads,

cargo terminals, dumps, and depots.

l Provide air delivery support.

Concept of Organization

Beach and terminal operations is organized to support

throughput operations. It provides management and

operation of ports, airheads, railheads, and other

cargo/passenger terminal operations including aerial

delivery support.

Concept of Employment

When directed, beach and terminal operations assumes

responsibility for the throughput operations after

control of beaches, ports, and terminals is passed to

the CSSE. It provides aerial delivery support and,

when augmented by other elements of the CSSE,

controls air terminals to include conducting DACG/

AACG operations.

Motor Transport Company, General Support 

Mission

Provide general support, medium and heavy lift

transportation support for throughput, and sustainment

operations (see figure 2-5).

Tasks

l Provide distribution of bulk water (Class I) and bulk

fuel (Class III and III[A]).

l Provide medium and heavy lift motor transport for

the movement of bulk dry cargo, Class V and V(A),

and heavy equipment.

Figure 2-5. General Support.

Figure 2-4. Beach and Terminal Operations.
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 2-5

l Provide unit and supply point distribution of bulk

water and fuel.

l Augment the motor transport and supply

distribution capabilities of the Direct Support Motor

Transport Company, TSB, FSSG, as required.

Concept of Organization

The company is organized to plan, coordinate, and

supervise the command, supply, and transportation

support functions for the company. It is structured to

facilitate task organization for operations conducted

by the battalion.

Concept of Employment

The company provides medium and heavy lift motor

transport and bulk fuel and water distribution. It is

employed in general support to transport cargo,

equipment, and personnel over extended distances for

sustained periods of time. Organic equipment includes

5-ton tactical cargo trucks, Logistics Vehicle Systems

(LVSs), and 40- and 70-ton semitrailers.

Motor Transport Company, Direct Support

Mission

Provide direct and general support, medium and heavy

lift transportation support for throughput and

sustainment operations of the CSSE in support of the

MAGTF (see figure 2-6).

Tasks

l Provide line haul and distribution of bulk water

(Class I) and bulk fuel (Class III and III[A]) for the

CSSE.

l Provide medium and heavy lift motor transport for

the movement of bulk dry cargo, Class V and V(A),

and heavy equipment.

l Augment the personnel lift capability, as required,

of elements of the MAGTF.

Concept of Organization

The company is organized to plan, coordinate, and

supervise the command, supply, and transportation

support functions for the company. It is equipped

with 5- and 7-ton tactical cargo trucks, LVSs, and

sixcon fuel and water modules.

Concept of Employment

The company is structured to provide sustained, direct

support transportation to the CSSE, and general

support transportation to the MAGTF. It transports

cargo, equipment, fuel, water, and personnel over

extended distances for sustained periods of time.

Marine Division Motor Transport

Subordinate elements of the division have motor

transport equipment authorized for organizational use.

Because of the limited quantities and specialized roles

Figure 2-6. Direct Support.
2-6 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

of that equipment, it will normally not be available for

routine logistical support.

Truck Company, Headquarters 

Battalion, Marine Division

The truck company provides limited tactical mobility

to the Marine division. The company consists of a

headquarters and three truck platoons containing two

truck sections each (see figure 2-7). The company

commander directs and controls all matters pertaining

to company administration and support. The

company headquarters supports the company

commander in exercising C2 of the operating elements

in the three truck platoons. The truck company is

under the administrative control (ADCON) of the

headquarters battalion commander. Operational

tasking of the truck company is coordinated by the

division motor transport officer. He makes

recommendations as appropriate to the commander,

usually via the principal staff officers, as requirements

are developed.

The truck company is a combat support asset of the

Marine division. It is capable of transporting the

assault elements of two infantry battalions

simultaneously. Truck platoons will normally be

attached to or placed in direct support of infantry

regiments and are capable of sustained operations on a

24-hour basis. Normally the tactical situation will

require that motor transport assets of the truck

company be used to augment the limited organic

capability of subordinate division units.

The truck company is capable of providing

organizational (1st and 2d echelon) maintenance for

all organic equipment except communication

equipment. Both 2d and 3d echelon maintenance for

organic communication equipment are provided by

communications company, headquarters battalion,

division. Intermediate (3d and 4th echelon)

maintenance for all other equipment is provided by

maintenance battalion, FSSG. Selected items of

equipment are listed in table 2-1.

Motor Transport Section, 

Division Headquarters

The motor transport section, division headquarters,

consists of the division motor transport officer and a

small administrative staff. The motor transport officer

performs the general duties of a special staff officer

under the cognizance of the assistant chief of staff,

G-4. The staff responsibilities of the division motor

transport officer include—

l Supervising the planning and technical training and

motor transport related duties and programs within

the division.

l Coordinating planning for motor transport

intelligence and the dissemination thereof.

l Conducting comprehensive analyses of all motor

transport tasks required to implement the

commander’s plan.

l Maintaining liaison with higher, lower, and

adjacent commands pertaining to motor transport

matters.

l Analyzing and evaluating motor transport

Figure 2-7. Truck Company, Marine Division. capabilities throughout the command.

Table 2-1. Truck Company, Selected

Items of Equipment.

TAMCN Description Model Qty

D0860 Trailer, Cargo, 11⁄2-ton M105A2 57

D0880 Trailer, Tank, Water, 400 

Gallon

M149A1 13

D1059 Truck, Cargo 5-ton M923 100

D1158 Truck, Utility, 

11⁄4-ton

M998 12

D1212 Truck, Wrecker M936 3
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 2-7

l Coordinating all motor transport support

requirements and directing commitments, as

appropriate, to organizations best capable of

providing the support required.

l Monitoring and providing technical supervision to

all motor transport requirements, commitments, and

movements of truck company.

l Supervising and coordinating the maintenance of

required motor transport records and reports.

l Developing, coordinating, implementing, and

monitoring command technical inspections for

motor transport.

l Monitoring motor transport combat readiness in all

subordinate organizations of the command.

l Advising the commander of all technical matters

concerning motor transport.

Marine Aircraft Wing Motor Transport

Some subordinate elements of the Marine aircraft

wing (MAW) have limited, special purpose motor

transport equipment authorized for organizational use.

Other than limited general purpose motor transport

equipment, units of the MAW receive organic motor

transport support from the Marine wing support

squadrons (MWSSs).

Marine Wing Support Squadron, Marine Wing 

Support Group, MAW

Organic motor transport support for the MAW is

provided by the MWSSs of the Marine wing support

group (MWSG). There are four MWSSs in each

MWSG. Each MAW has two MWSSs designed to

support a fixed-wing (FW) aircraft group and two

MWSSs to support a rotary-wing (RW) aircraft group.

These are designated MWSS/FW and MWSS/RW,

respectively. The exception to this is in 1st MAW,

which has one FW and one RW MWSS.

The MWSS is organized to provide essential aviation

ground support to the FW or RW components of an

aviation combat element (ACE). An MWSS may also

supplement the garrison support provided by a

permanent Marine Corps air station. In addition to

motor transport, this support includes explosive

ordnance disposal, security and law enforcement,

photographic services, air freight services, weather

services, internal airfield communications, crash/

fire/rescue and structural firefighting services,

essential engineer services, expeditionary airfield

services, aircraft and ground equipment refueling,

aircraft recovery, messing facilities, medical

services, training support, and internal nuclear,

biological, and chemical (NBC) defense.

Motor Transport Operations Division

The motor transport operations division of the MWSS is

organized into two branches: the light/medium motor

vehicle branch and the heavy motor vehicle branch (see

figure 2-8). Table 2-2, on page 2-8, presents a list of

selected items of equipment.

The motor transport section, MAW consists of the

wing MAW motor transport officer and a small

administrative staff. The motor transport officer

performs the general duties of a special staff

officer parallel to those of the division motor

transport officer. 

Figure 2-8. Motor Transport Operations Division.
2-8 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Transportation Task Organizations LFSP

Fundamentals

The TSB is responsible for the MAGTF’s landing

support services and provides the units required to

form the LFSP. The LFSP’s mission is to perform

specified combat service support operations for the

landing force during the amphibious assault. It also

provides initial landing support and combat service

support to the landing force during the amphibious

operation. The LFSP facilitates the MAGTF’s ship-toshore movement by—

l Supporting the landing plan.

l Avoiding excessive concentration of equipment,

people, and supplies.

l Providing a uniform flow ashore of material

required by the landing force.

The LFSP is peculiar to an amphibious operation. It is a

temporary task organization composed of Navy and

Marine Corps elements tasked to provide initial combat

service support during the ship-to-shore movement. The

LFSP’s strength and composition are determined during

the amphibious operation’s initial planning phase. The

LFSP may include units or detachments from the

ground combat element (GCE), ACE, CSSE, and the

Navy. The MAGTF’s organization and mission, the

number of landing beaches/zones through which the

MAGTF will land, and the mission and size of the units

assigned to the beaches/zones determine the LFSP’s

configuration. The LFSP is under the operational

control (OPCON) of the commander, landing force

(CLF) (see figure 2-9).

The LFSP provides CSS to the landing force until the

CSSE is ashore and capable of assuming

responsibility for logistics support. While the LFSP

organization may vary, it typically consists of a

headquarters, two or more shore party groups and

HSTs, a beach party group, and various special

attachments (see figure 2-10).

Table 2-2. Truck Company, Selected Items of Equipment.

TAMCN Description Model Qty

D0860 Trailer, Cargo, 1 1/2 ton M105A2 57

D0880 Trailer, Tank, Water, 400 gal M149A1 13

D1059 Truck, Cargo 5-ton M923 100

D1158 Truck, Utility, 1 1/4-ton M998 12

D1212 Truck, Wrecker M936 3

Figure 2-9. LFSP Relationship within the MAGTF.

Figure 2-10. Basic Organization of the LFSP.
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 2-9

Headquarters

The LFSP headquarters controls and supervises

landing support operations within the landing area as

set forth in the landing force operation plan. The LFSP

headquarters ensures effective landing support through

close coordination, timely reinforcement, and

consolidation of shore party group and beach party

group activities.

During the initial stages of ship-to-shore movement,

the LFSP headquarters typically remains afloat where

it can best control and supervise the landing forces’

landing support operations. However, operational

necessity may require the LFSP headquarters to move

ashore earlier. As more functions and capabilities

move ashore, the LFSP headquarters grows

accordingly. Once the CSSE, ACE, and naval beach

group (NBG) are established ashore, they assume

responsibility for their appropriate tasks.

Command and Administrative Section

TSB headquarters or the MAGTF CSSE provides the

personnel needed to form the command and

administrative section.

Medical Section

Medical battalion, FSSG provides the nucleus of the

medical section. The medical section plans the LFSP’s

medical evacuation functions, supervises patient

operations within the shore party and the HST’s

evacuation sections, and prepares medical reports. 

Military Police Section

Normally, the military police (MP) section consists of

personnel taken from the MP company, FSSG. This

section supervises the shore party and HST’s MP

sections. In addition, this section establishes the

landing force’s EPW stockade and organizes and

evacuates EPWs from the objective area.

Communications Section

The nucleus of the communications section is provided

by the TSB or MAGTF CSSE and may be augmented

from other sources. This section provides required

communications ashore. Marine Corps Warfighting

Publication (MCWP) 6-22, Communications and

Information Systems, contains additional

information on landing support communications.

The Motor Transport and Equipment Section

The TSB or MAGTF CSSE provides motor transport

and equipment section personnel. Only those vehicles

required by the LFSP headquarters operate under the

direct control of this section. The remaining assets are

assigned to augment the LFSP and are normally

attached to the shore party team, shore party group,

and HSTs.

Liaison Section

The liaison section consists of liaison personnel

from units that are attached to or under the OPCON

of the LFSP.

Shore Party Group

The shore party group provides landing support across

the beach by assisting movement of troops and

supplies, evacuating casualties and EPWs, and

controlling landing craft and amphibious vehicles.

Marine components of the shore party group perform

tasks inland from the water’s edge, and Navy

components perform tasks seaward from the water’s

edge. The shore party group is capable of providing

CSS to a regimental landing team over a designated

(colored) beach. All tasks are performed under the

direction of the shore party group commander, who is

designated by the LFSP commander.

The shore party team lands ahead of the shore party

group to assist with the initial landing. Once the shore

party group moves ashore, shore party teams are

absorbed into the shore party group. Shore party teams

are capable of supporting a battalion landing team

over a numbered beach. 

The shore party group has a headquarters, two or more

shore party teams, and special attachments as required

(see figure 2-11, on page 2-10). The nucleus of the

shore party group is drawn from the landing support

company, TSB.
2-10 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Headquarters

The headquarters section controls and supervises

landing support operations within the landing area as

set forth in the landing force operation plan. It

coordinates with the LFSP aboard ship, the tactical

logistical group (TACLOG), and the landing force

(see figure 2-12).

Command Section. The nucleus of the command

section is drawn from the landing support company’s

headquarters. This section handles the shore party

group’s administrative functions.

Military Police Section. The MP section consists of

the section leader of the attached MP unit and the

assigned administrative and communications

personnel. This section coordinates each of the shore

party teams’ MP operations and is absorbed by the

CSSE once the shore party group dissolves.

Evacuation Section. When the evacuation section is

established ashore, it assumes control of the shore

party teams’ evacuation sections. This section is

comprised of personnel from the CSSE’s attached

medical units and assets from the ACE’s helicopter

units. This section maintains the records of evacuated

personnel and evaluates the casualty evacuation

procedures for effectiveness.

Communications Section. The communications

section provides communications for the shore party

Figure 2-11. Shore Party Group.

Figure 2-12. Headquarters, Shore Party Group.
Transportation Operations_______________________________________________________________________________ 2-11

group headquarters. Personnel and assets for this

section come from the CSSE. Once the shore

party group is established ashore, it coordinates

communications established by the shore party teams

and assumes control of the shore party team’s

communications section.

Motor Transport and Equipment Section. Once the

shore party group assumes control of shore party team

operations, this section assumes control of all motor

transport functions and equipment attached to shore

party teams. Personnel and assets for this section come

primarily from the TSB.

Replacement Pool. The replacement pool consists of

personnel waiting to be drafted into operation and are

referred to as replacement units. Replacement units

may be used to form ships platoon. Typically,

replacement units assist the shore party in the

accomplishment of general tasks. During the selective

and general unloading phases, replacement units are

used as longshoremen at unloading points and

dumps in the beach support area (BSA).

Beach Party Team. See paragraph entitled “Beach

Party Team” on page 2-13 for a detailed discussion.

Special Attachments

Special attachments do not perform service or tasks

associated with shore party teams. They are normally

retained under the control of the shore party team

headquarters. Special attachments may include liaison

personnel from the augmentation units attached to the

shore party teams.

Shore Party Team

The shore party team provides CSS to a battalion

landing team (BLT) landing across a designated

(numbered) beach. It is subordinate to the shore party

group. The nucleus of the team is drawn from the

landing support platoon, landing support company,

TSB and augmented as required to accomplish the

specific shore party group’s or shore party team’s

mission. The shore party team consists of a

headquarters, shore platoon, service platoon, and

motor transport/heavy equipment platoon (see figure

2-13, on page 2-12).

The Marine component of the shore party team

performs the following tasks:

l Marking limits of the beach unloading points.

l Designating and marking landing sites for

helicopters.

l Locating and establishing multi-class supply

dumps.

l Assisting the beach party in the landing and moving

of units across the beach.

l Marking and removing obstacles in the BSA that

are hazardous to personnel or may impede

operations.

l Constructing and maintaining beach roads.

l Establishing and operating information centers.

l Maintaining current situation maps to assist landed

units.

l Controlling traffic in the BSA.

l Maintaining communications with troop

commanders of waterborne and helicopterborne

assault units and the TACLOG for control

purposes.

l Establishing lateral communications between

beaches and HLZs.

l Marking contaminated/decontaminated portions of

the BSA.

l Evacuating casualties and EPWs.

l Providing emergency maintenance for equipment in

the waterborne assault.

l Maintaining continuous records, by category, of

units, equipment, and amounts of supplies landed.

l Coordinating movement of amphibious vehicles

carrying supplies.

l Loading/unloading supplies from landing craft,

ships, and helicopters.

l Moving supplies to inland dumps or using units as

required.

l Providing security and coordinating defense of the

BSA.

l Initiating, as directed, civil affairs and military

government activities in the BSA.
2-12 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

l Establishing and maintaining, as a part of the

landing force warning system, a system to warn of

air; ground; and NBC attacks within the BSA.

l Providing mortuary affairs services as directed.

l Constructing helicopter landing sites within the

BSA.

l Establishing forward arming and refueling points

(FARP) as required.

Advance Party. The advance party is composed of a

command section, liaison section, communications

section, and a beach party section. The advance party

is a temporary organization. Its sole purpose is to

effect a smooth transition ashore, and it is formed

from the shore party team. The advance party

conducts early beach reconnaissance, establishes

communications, and marks landing sites and dumps

before the remainder of the shore party team lands.

The advance party sections return to their original

Figure 2-13. Organization of a Typical Shore Party Team.
Transportation Operations_______________________________________________________________________________ 2-13

units as the shore party team comes ashore (except

liaison sections operating with the GCE).

Headquarters. The shore party team headquarters

includes a command section, evacuation section, MP

section, communications section, and security section.

This section provides the C2 for the shore party team.

Shore Platoon. The shore platoon is a detachment

from the shore party platoon and is augmented as

required. The shore platoon organizes and operates the

facilities for unloading supplies and equipment at the

water’s edge. It also organizes and operates the

movement of material to the dump area or staging

area or out of the BSA.

Service Platoon. The service platoon’s nucleus

comes from the shore party platoon and is augmented

by specialists from CSS units. The service platoon

organizes and operates dumps and maintenance/

salvage areas in the BSA.

Motor Transport/Heavy Equipment Platoon. The

motor transport/heavy equipment platoon is drawn

from primarily from TSB. This platoon provides

equipment and motor transport support to the shore

party team’s sections and platoons.

Beach Party Group

The beach party group is the Navy counterpart to the

shore party group. A beach party group is assigned to

each designated beach and supervises, controls, and

coordinates all Navy activities on that beach, such as

boat salvage and lane clearing for landing craft. The

beach party group includes a beach party group

headquarters, beach party team(s), landing craft air

cushion (LCAC) craft landing zone (CLZ) control

team(s), and a beach support unit (see figure 2-14).

The beach party group’s mission is to provide the

beach master, traffic control, causeway lighterage,

causeways, ship-to-shore bulk fuel systems, limited

construction capabilities, landing craft, and beach

salvage capabilities. It also provides communications

to C2 to its specially equipped teams. The beach party

group facilitates the flow of troops, equipment, and

supplies to the beaches and evacuates casualties,

refugees, and EPWs as required.

Headquarters

The beach party group headquarters is drawn from the

beach master unit of the NBG. The group commander

and staff embark and land with the shore party group

headquarters. The beach party group commander

advises the shore party group commander on Navy

matters, and they jointly plan for the expeditious use

of all units employed in the BSA.

Beach Party Team

The beach party team is the Navy component to the

shore party team and is commanded by a navy officer.

The beach party team provides Navy functions (e.g.,

boat salvage, boat repair) for the shore party (see

figure 2-15, on page 2-14).

Headquarters Section. The headquarters section

contains the beach party team commander and

communications and administrative assistants. A

part of this team lands with the shore party team’s

advance party.

Figure 2-14. Beach Party Group.
2-14 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Communications Section. The communications

section contains personnel and equipment to transmit

and receive operational information from various

sources. This section uses lights, flags, and public

address and broadcasting equipment to direct

personnel and craft in the vicinity of the beach area.

The communication section uses portable and mobile

radio equipment to provide communications with units

afloat and on adjacent beaches. It monitors the

movement of landing craft’s designated

communications nets for beach touchdown points.

Traffic Control Section. The traffic control section,

equipped with signal flags and other signal devices,

controls traffic at unloading slots along the beach and

directs beaching and retraction of craft.

Salvage Section. The salvage section contains

personnel and equipment from the amphibious

construction battalion and the NBG’s beach master

unit. This section assists the beaching and retraction of

landing craft and ships, accomplishes minor beach

improvement, and effects salvage of landing craft and

amphibious vehicles. This section’s equipment

includes dozers, amphibious vehicles, and surf cranes.

Landing craft may be assigned to this section to assist

in boat salvage.

Oceanographic Section. The oceanographic section

contains personnel drawn from the sea-air-land team,

which is normally attached to the beach party group or

beach party team. This section reports to the beach

party team commander after completion of its tasks

with the advance force. The oceanographic section

performs tasks such as marking and removing

obstacles in beach approaches up to the high

watermark. It also performs hydrographic surveys and

lifeguard duties, marks channels and navigational

hazards, and improves seaward approaches. This

section is equipped with inflatable boats, survey

equipment, buoys, and demolitions.

LCAC CLZ Control Section.The duties and

responsibilities of the LCAC CLZ control section are

the same as the LCAC CLZ control team.

LCAC CLZ Control Team

The personnel for the LCAC CLZ control team come

from the ship’s complement. The LCAC CLZ control

team controls LCACs as they approach the beach. This

team directs the LCAC to a CLZ for unloading/

loading, and then directs and controls the craft back to

the ship. An LCAC CLZ support team supports each

Figure 2-15. Beach Party Team.
Transportation Operations_______________________________________________________________________________ 2-15

LCAC CLZ control team. See Fleet Marine Force

Manual (FMFM) 1-8, Ship-to-Shore Movement, for

more detail.

Beach Support Unit

The beach support unit is drawn from the amphibious

construction battalion of the NBG. This unit consists

of a causeway platoon, fuels platoon, and camp

support platoon (see figure 2-16). The beach support

unit’s primary mission is to provide causeway and fuel

system support for the LFSP. Its secondary mission is

to undertake military construction projects within the

capabilities of assigned personnel and equipment. A

beach support unit performs the following tasks:

l Installs causeway piers and uses causeway ferries to

ferry equipment ashore.

l Provides capability to conduct ship causeway

standoffs and compression marriages.

l Installs, operates, and maintains container over the

shore systems.

l Installs and operates the roll-on/roll-off ship

discharge facility.

l Installs, operates, and maintains amphibious assault

fuel systems.

l Installs off shore petroleum, oils, and lubricants

(POL) discharge systems.

l Provides beach salvage sections.

l Provides camp support and limited construction

sections.

Special Attachments to Beach Party Group

Special attachments are attached to the beach party

group to perform tasks or provide capability not

normally included in the beach party organization.

These attachments may provide support to the landing

force, however, they typically perform Navy tasks that

are more effective when performed from the beach. 

Special Attachments to LFSP

There are many special attachments that may be made

to the LFSP in order to perform the LFSP’s assigned

tasks. For example, units may be attached to the LFSP

for defense or the landing force commander may

deploy units to counter threats. The landing support

commander may employ units operating in the BSA or

landing zone support area (LZSA) in emergency

situations, particularly in defense of the area.

Arrival and Assembly Operations Group

The AAOG is a task-organized group from the MAGTF

whose function is to coordinate and control arrival and

assembly operations (see figure 2-17 on page 2-16). It

Figure 2-16. Beach Support Unit.
2-16 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

consists of personnel from all MAGTF elements

plus liaison from the commander, naval support

element (CNSE). 

The AAOG—

l Monitors the airflow of the fly-in echelon (FIE) into

the arrival and assembly area (AAA).

l Coordinates and monitors the throughput and

distribution of maritime pre-positioned equipment

and supplies (MPE/S) from the MPS to the unit

assembly areas, specifically the arrival and

assembly operations elements (AAOEs) within

those assembly areas.

l Coordinates the association of MPE/S with

designated organizations.

l Provides initial C2 functions for the MAGTF in the

AAA.

l Directs and coordinates the AAOEs operations.

l Provides direction, coordination, and interface with

the LFSP and airfield coordination officer (ACO)

until such time as the respective MAGTF elements

assume responsibility for those functions.

Tactical-Logistics Group 

A parallel chain of command is established between

the Navy and the MAGTF to conduct amphibious

operations in accordance with JP 3-02, Joint Doctrine

for Amphibious Operations. This chain of command

allows the resolution of command and control issues at

the lowest possible level. To effect this chain of

command, the MAGTF establishes a TACLOG

wherever a Navy ship-to-shore control organization is

established. The TACLOG is the MAGTF’s

counterpart to the Navy’s control organization. It is

not part of the Navy ship-to-shore control

organization; it is the MAGTF’s liaison to the Navy.

TACLOGs embark on the same ship as the Navy

control officer exercising control over the ship-toshore movement (see figure 2-18).

Mission

A MAGTF commander establishes TACLOGs as

required. A TACLOG is a temporary task

organization formed by the MAGTF, and it is

composed of MAGTF personnel. It is concerned with

both tactical and logistical ship-to-shore movement.

A TACLOG’s mission is to communicate MAGTF

ship-to-shore movement requirements to the Navy’s

control organization and to assist the Navy in landing

personnel, supplies and equipment in accordance

with the MAGTF landing plan. The landing force

TACLOG monitors the operations of subordinate

TACLOGs and intervenes only if necessary to

provide control/coordination at a higher level.

TACLOGs link the LFSP, shore party, HST, and the

Navy control organization. They also serve as the

landing force commander’s primary source of

information concerning the status of MAGTF units

during the ship-to-shore movement. FMFM 1-8 has

detailed information concerning TACLOG.

Responsibilities

It is the collective responsibility of the Navy control

organization, TACLOG, LFSP, and HST to—

l Know, at all times, what units are ashore and the

status of any requests made for landing additional

personnel, supplies, and/or equipment.

l Orchestrate and regulate movement of scheduled

waves to ensure personnel, supplies, and equipment

arrive at the designated location at the prescribed

time and in the condition required to accomplish the

assigned mission.

Figure 2-17. Notional AAOG Organization.
Transportation Operations_______________________________________________________________________________ 2-17

l Ensure pre-positioned emergency supplies and

floating dumps are responsive to the MAGTF’s

needs and moved rapidly to the designated location

when required.

l Ensure on-call waves are prepared to move ashore

rapidly to the designated location.

l Orchestrate preparations for nonscheduled waves to

move ashore.

Based on the mission, TACLOG becomes the primary

and critical link between the MAGTF and the Navy

control organization, LFSP, and HST. The TACLOG

must know the status of all phases of the ship-to-shore

movement and the status of the LFSP, shore party,

HST, and the Navy control organization.

Tasks

Each TACLOG, despite command level or specific

focus, must be prepared to process requests and

provide recommendations to Navy control

organizations. TACLOGs must also be capable of

performing the following tasks:

l Coordinating pre-D-day and pre-H-hour transfers

involving landing force personnel and equipment.

l Monitoring scheduled waves.

l Providing information and recommendations to the

Navy control organization to facilitate the landing

of on-call and nonscheduled serials/waves.

l Processing and coordinating requests for support.

l Expediting, in coordination with the Navy control

organization, the landing of personnel, supplies,

and equipment in accordance with plans and orders.

l Advising the Navy control organization of the

location of requested items.

l Recommending the type of landing craft or

helicopter(s) required based on the tactical situation

ashore and the availability of transportation assets.

l Anticipating requirements and coordinating the

debarkation of nonscheduled serials.

Figure 2-18. Sample TACLOG Relationships.
2-18 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

l Advising the Navy control organization of the

priority for landing serials during periods of

congestion at the off-load site or when a shortage of

transportation assets affects the tactical situations

ashore.

l Advising the Navy control organization of changes

in the landing sequence or landing plan and their

effect on the tactical situation ashore.

l Maintaining records of the landing’s progress. This

includes the date-time-group (DTG) of scheduled,

on-call, and nonscheduled serials; indicating those

requested and those landed; and the current location

of serials not yet landed.

l Sending/receiving periodic serial status reports to

the landing force commander concerning the

buildup ashore and other factors that may delay or

change the landing plan.

l Coordinating with the Navy control organization

to ensure that the ship’s locations and movements

do not conflict with MAGTF operations or

communications.

l Monitoring the progress of tactical operations to

anticipate requirements, coordinate the landing of

nonscheduled and nonserialized sections, and

recommend adjustments or deviations from the

landing plan as required.

l Formulating decisions that may affect tactical

operations ashore (within the limits of authority

delegated to the TACLOG officer in charge [OIC]).

l Coordinating the buildup of supplies at BSAs and

HLZs and/or combat service support areas (CSSAs)

with the LFSP, HST, and other CSS organizations.

l Identifying landing requirements (landing craft/

helicopters).

l Maintaining records of the ship’s location and

informing the LFSP and HST commanders of

changes as they occur.

l Coordinating and assisting in the control of

withdrawal operations with the Navy control

organization and ship’s combat cargo officer as

required.

Task Organization

The organization of each TACLOG varies to meet the

requirements of a specific unit and operation.

TACLOGs are composed of landing force tactical and

logistical representatives. The landing force TACLOG

is normally located aboard the amphibious force

flagship. The basic organization is prescribed by the

landing force commander and indicated in the

MAGTF operation order. The landing force

commander specifies which subordinate commanders

are to organize and operate TACLOGs and ensures the

TACLOG structure parallels the Navy control

structure. If subordinate commanders are required to

establish TACLOGs, their operation orders should

specify the composition of their TACLOG. 

Personnel assigned to the TACLOG must include both

tactical and CSS personnel who are thoroughly

familiar with MAGTF plans, Navy control procedures,

and movement capabilities of both the Navy and the

MAGTF. Representatives should include a G-3/S-3

(operations staff officer) representative (responsible

for the TACLOG until the general off-load), a G-4/S-4

(logistic staff officer) representative (responsible for

the TACLOG once the general off-load begins), a

MAGTF/unit embarkation officer, a CSSE

representative, communications personnel,

administrative personnel, and liaison personnel from

other units. Assigned personnel must possess a

detailed knowledge of the operation order;

embarkation order; CSS concept; ship’s loading plans;

tactical and CSS requirements; and plans, capabilities,

and documents relating to the landing.

Helicopter Support Teams 

Mission

The HST’s mission is to facilitate the landing and

movement of helicopterborne forces, equipment, and

supplies to and within the landing zone. Normally, an

HST is employed in each landing zone to provide

support to units operating in and around that zone. An

HST is formed for all helicopterborne operations. The

HST also supports the evacuation of casualties

and EPWs.

Once the HST is established in the landing zone, it

assumes responsibility for helicopter terminal

guidance from the reconnaissance unit. HST

operations are terminated when the helicopterborne

unit is no longer dependent on helicopter support as
Transportation Operations_______________________________________________________________________________ 2-19

the primary means of support or when a combat

service support buildup commences in the

landing zone.

HST Organizational Structure

The HST is a task organization composed of personnel

and equipment from the helicopterborne unit and the

LFSP. It is augmented from other units as required.

The actual organization and commander of the HST is

decided by the helicopterborne unit commander. This

decision is based on the mission and whether a combat

service support buildup is planned for the area.

The HST normally consists of an advance party,

headquarters, helicopter control section, and landing

zone platoon (see figure 2-19). HST personnel must be

fully trained and capable of carrying out their assigned

duties (including the special considerations required of

helicopterborne operations). 

The MAGTF operation order specifies when control

of the landing zone passes from the HST to the CSSE.

Passing control can be specified by a specific time or

event (i.e., when sufficient CSSE C2 capability is in

the landing zone) or by order of the landing force

commander.

Figure 2-19. Helicopter Support Team.
2-20 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Advance Party

The advance party consists of eight to ten personnel

drawn from each section of the HST. The advance

party lands early, reconnoiters a site for the CSS

installation, establishes the command post, and erects

unloading point markers (appendix A).

Communications personnel provide immediate

communications. Landing zone control personnel

control the helicopters operating within the zone. The

OIC of the advance party assumes OPCON over the

reconnaissance unit that provided the initial terminal

guidance into the landing zone. The OIC retains

control of the reconnaissance unit until the helicopter

control section assumes responsibility. After the HST

is established in the landing zone, the advance party

disbands and its personnel revert to their parent

section within the HST.

Helicopter Support Team Headquarters

If no CSS buildup is planned, the HST headquarters

comes from the helicopterborne unit. If a CSS buildup

is planned, the HST headquarters comes from the

LFSP’s or CSSE’s landing support platoon, this

simplifies transfer of control to the CSSE once the

CSS buildup begins. The HST headquarters assumes

control of the landing zone as rapidly as possible. The

HST headquarters consists of—

l A command section provided by the appropriate

platoon headquarters and augmented as required.

l A communications section provided by the

communications platoon of the helicopterborne unit

or from the shore party as appropriate.

l An MP section from the shore party.

l A security section for internal security of the

landing zone. The security section is provided by

the helicopterborne unit.

l An evacuation section provided by the medical

section of the helicopterborne unit.

l The liaison section that accompanied the

headquarters element of the helicopterborne unit.

Helicopter Control Section

The ACE provides personnel for the helicopter control

section. The helicopter control section is generally

organized into three sections: air traffic control,

communications, and helicopter maintenance and

refueling. The helicopter control section establishes

and operates electronic and visual navigation aids that

guide aircraft. It directs and controls helicopter

operations within the landing zone.

Landing Zone Platoon

The landing zone platoon is provided by the same unit

that provides the HST command section. The landing

zone platoon is organized into command, supply, and

equipment sections. If MHE is required in the landing

zone or if helicopter slings and related equipment are

required for external lifts, the equipment section is

provided by the shore party because this type of

equipment is not organic to combat units.
CHAPTER 3. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND AND CONTROL

Movement Control

The organizations and their movement control

responsibilities described in this paragraph are

applicable to marshaling, movement and deployment.

Amphibious and maritime pre-positioning force

(MPF) operations apply a transportation C2 structure

tailored specifically to their specialized mission,

which is detailed later in this chapter. 

Movement control centers (MCCs) are agencies that

plan, route, schedule, and control personnel, supplies,

and equipment movements over LOCs (point of origin

to POE, POD to final destination or movements within

the AO). 

Transportation management and movement control

agencies must function the same during training

exercises as they do during operations. In some

cases, the agencies are permanent. For example,

every MAGTF should have a full-time transportation

section. For smaller MAGTFs, this may be no more

than one or two Marines in the combat service

support operations center. In other cases, movement

control agencies are temporary. Battalions,

squadrons, regiments, and aircraft groups establish

temporary movement control centers when their

organizations are moving. Local standing operating

procedures (SOPs) establish the composition and

procedures for MCCs. Figure 3-1 depicts the

relationships between various commands, their

movement control agencies, and supporting

organizations during deployment of a MAGTF. 

Figure 3-1. Movement Control Relationships During Deployment.
3-2 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Movement Control Agencies

The following paragraphs describe movement control

agencies during deployment. 

Marine Force Headquarters’ MCC

This is primarily an information processing agency to

keep the Marine Corps forces (MARFOR) commander

abreast of the status of subordinate unit deployments.

This MCC can coordinate with the USTRANSCOM on

transportation requirements, priorities, and allocations as

required. When the MARFOR commander is operating

in support of a JFC, the MARFOR’s MCC coordinates

with TRANSCOM via the JFC’s JMC, which

coordinates the requirements for all service components. 

Force Movement Control Center 

This is the MAGTF commander’s agency to control

and coordinate all deployment support activities. It is

also the agency that coordinates with the

transportation component commands (AMC, MTMC,

MSC) of USTRANSCOM. When the MAGTF

operates as part of a joint force under a JFC, the force

movement control center (FMCC) coordinates with

TRANSCOM via the JFC’s JMC, which coordinates

the requirements for all service components. 

Logistic Movement Control Center

A CSSE or the supporting establishment(s) organize

logistic movement control centers (LMCCs) near

deploying units. The FMCC tasks the LMCC to

provide organic or commercial transportation,

transportation scheduling, MHE, and other support

during marshaling and movement. The FSSG/CSSE

can also establish two additional movement

control organizations subordinate to the LMCC to

support deployment: the arrival/departure airfield

control group (A/DACG) and the port operations

group (POG). 

Major Subordinate Command Unit

Movement Control Centers 

The division, wing, and FSSG commanders provide

forces to deploying MAGTFs. The commanders

control transportation and communications assets

needed to execute deployments. On order, each

command activates its unit movement control center

(UMCC) to support marshaling and movement. 

Organizational UMCCs

Every deploying unit down to battalion/squadron/

separate company level activates a UMCC to control

and manage its marshaling and movement. 

Base Operations Support Group

Bases from which MARFOR units deploy establish

base operations support groups to coordinate their

efforts with those of the deploying units. Like

MARFOR commands, bases have transportation,

communications, and other assets useful to all

commands during deployment.

Station Operations Support Group

Air stations from which MARFOR units deploy

establish station operations support groups to

coordinate their efforts with those of the deploying

units. Like major MARFOR commands, air stations

have transportation, communications, and other assets

useful to all commands during deployment. 

Flight Ferry Control Center

In addition to its MCC, the aircraft wing establishes a

flight ferry control center to control deploying aircraft.

The flight ferry control center operates under the

cognizance of the MAW G-3.

Movement Control in the Area of Operations

Movement Control Center 

The MCC is the primary agency in the AO to manage

movement. As during deployments, lower echelon

commands only activate MCCs while they are

conducting movements. The MAGTF maintains an

MCC during the entire deployment. It may be no more

than the motor transport and embarkation staff

officers. In joint and combined operations, the

MAGTF MCC establishes liaison and

communications with the theater MCC and
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 3-3

other commands or host nations in whose areas

it is operating. 

Local SOPs

As with operations of MCCs during deployment, local

SOPs establish the composition and procedures for

MCCs. Figure 3-2 depicts relationships between

various commands, their movement control agencies,

and supporting organizations after arrival in the AO.

The MAGTF commander often delegates

responsibility for routine day-to-day movement

control to the CSSE. Modifications to meet specific

operational requirements are in the transportation

appendix to annex D of the operation order. 

MAGTF Movement Control Agencies

Movement control agencies in the AO are the

same as in CONUS before deployment. Unit SOPs

should be applicable during both deployment and

employment. 

Host-Nation Support 

The MAGTF should use host-nation support

transportation support to the maximum extent feasible,

consistent with tactical considerations, to augment its

organic capability. 

Standardization Agreements

When operating in North Atlantic Treaty Organization

(NATO) or quadripartite American, British, Canadian,

and Australian Armies Standardization Program

(ABCA), there are certain standardization agreements

(STANAGs) among the participating nations by which

the MAGTF is obligated to abide. These agreements

are called STANAGs in the NATO arena and

quadripartite standardization agreements (QSTAGs)

in the ABCA arena. 

Motor Transport Command and Control

The MAGTF commander and his subordinate

commanders must exercise varying degrees of control

Figure 3-2. Movement Control Relationships in the AO/Theater.
3-4 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

over their motor transport assets before and during

operations to ensure mission accomplishment. 

Motor transport commanders plan and execute motor

transport operations by assigning appropriate

missions based on the concept of CSS, establishing

appropriate command relationships, and supervising

the flow of support. 

Structure

CSSE motor transport units are task-organized.

Transportation support tables of organization (T/Os)

and tables of equipment (T/Es) are often subject to

peacetime personnel and equipment-programming

concerns and anticipated combat requirements.

Transportation assets are limited; economy dictates

proper prioritization and allocation. The motor

transport commander task-organizes assets to support

the main effort, as directed by the commander, while

continuing to support the force as a whole. By taskorganizing the MAGTF commander retains

centralized control while providing for decentralized

execution. Task-organizing promotes responsiveness. 

Command Relationships

The first tool for exercising C2 is establishment of

proper command relationships. A motor transport unit

may remain under the control of its parent

organization, allowing the motor transport commander

to retain full authority over his organic units. This is

not the only method. Motor transport units (both

permanent and task-organized) can also be assigned to

direct support (DS) of an organization other than their

parent unit. Similarly, they can be attached to units

other than their parent organizations. They may be

attached to other CSSE(s), GCE, ACE or even to the

forces of other armed Services. These options should

always be considered during planning, keeping in

mind that when motor transport units are assigned DS

or attached to other organizations, centralized control

is lost. The transportation commander no longer can

assign or change the mission of units, which have been

assigned DS or attached to other organizations. The

transportation commander retains responsibility for

supporting his units, which have been assigned DS

to another commander.

Missions

Another tool that the transportation commander has

available to control his assets is assignment of formal

missions. The following paragraphs provide detailed

information on the CSS missions and their associated

responsibilities. These options give the commander

flexibility across a spectrum ranging from fully

centralized to decentralized control. The formalized

mission structure facilitates changes by standardizing

the responsibilities associated with each mission.

When used in conjunction with structural options and

command relationships, formally assigned support

missions allow the commander to tailor transportation

support to the specific tactical situation. 

Transportation Missions

The concept of assigning formal missions to

transportation units is intended to standardize CSS

relationships, responsibilities, and C2 procedures.

Clean, simple, and responsive lines of C2 are

prerequisite to flexibility. Assignment of formal

missions to transportation units improves support to

the MAGTF from the inception of the operation to

its termination. Assigning formal support

missions to a transportation unit facilitates

command and staff relationships; clarifies support

relationships; and establishes liaison and

communication responsibilities. 

Mission Assignment

Formal CSS missions assigned by the CSSE

commander to transportation units dictate specific

responsibilities for the supporting transportation unit

and the supported unit. For the unit, mission

assignments establish not only the relationship to the

supported force, but also the relationship to other

support units. As shown in table 3-1, each of the three

formal CSS missions has five inherent responsibilities:

l Priority of response to request.

l Area of responsibility. 

l Liaison requirements. 

l Establishment of communication. 

l Locating/relocating. 
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 3-5

Note: The terms DS and general support (GS), define

specific responsibilities between supporting and

supported units. They constitute a mission assignment

and are given to a unit in paragraph 3b of the

operations order. Attached constitutes a command

relationship. 

Supporting Transportation

Unit Responsibilities 

Direct Support

Each unit assigned the mission of DS is immediately

responsive to the needs of the designated supported

element. It furnishes sustained support to that element

and coordinates its operations to complement the

concept of operations of the supported element. The

essential feature of the DS mission is the one-to-one

relationship between supporting and supported units.

The DS mission is a decentralized formal mission.

A unit assigned this mission—

l Responds to request for support, in order of priority,

from its supported unit first, then from its higher

headquarters, and finally from its subordinate units.

In the event of conflicting requests, support to the

supported unit takes precedence.

l Has as its AOR the supported unit’s AO.

l Establishes communications with the supported unit

and higher headquarters.

l Is positioned by higher headquarters in coordination

with the supported unit. Positioning must

complement the overall mission and consider the

needs of the supported unit. 

General Support

A mission of GS provides transportation support to

the MAGTF under the direction of the MAGTF or

CSSE headquarters. This mission provides

responsive support to the requirements of the

supported commanders. However, the CSSE

commander retains control of the prioritization of

tasks. The GS mission is the most centralized

tactical mission. A unit assigned this mission—

l Responds to transportation requests, in priority,

from supported units and CSS units.

l Has as its AOR the HHQ’s AO. 

l Establishes liaison as required by the operational

situation with the supported units. 

l Establishes communications with the supported unit

and higher headquarters. 

l Is positioned by higher headquarters. If there is no

higher headquarters direction, it positions itself to

best support the supported commander’s concept of

operations. 

Attached

When attached and subject to limitations imposed

in the attachment order, the commander of the unit

or organization receiving the transportation

attachment will exercise the same degree of C2 as

over organic units. The responsibility for transfer

and promotion of personnel will normally be

retained by the parent organization. 

Table 3-1. Formal Combat Service 

Support Missions.

 CSS Missions

Direct Support General Support

Responds to CSS 

requests in priority 

form:

Supported unit.

HHQ CSSE or 

MAGTF.

Own units. 

HHQ CSSE or 

MAGTF.

Supported unit. 

Own units.

Has as its tactical 

area of 

responsibility:

 Area HHQ. Area of 

supported unit.

Establishes liaison 

with:

Supported unit. Supported unit.

Establishes 

communications 

with:

Supported unit.

HHQ CSSE or 

MAGTF.

Supported unit.

HHQ CSSE or 

MAGTF.

Positioned by: HHQ CSSE or 

MAGTF in 

coordination 

with supported 

unit. 

Higher CSS HQ.
3-6 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Supported Unit Responsibilities

Requirements

Determination and identification of transportation

requirements that exceed the organic capabilities of

the supported unit are the responsibility of the

supported unit in coordination with the supporting

CSSE. Identification of requirements is the first step in

the process of obtaining transportation support. 

In the requirements determination process, the

supported unit commander must evaluate his assigned

mission, the situation, task organization, organic

equipment capabilities and density, and the concept of

operations. The supported unit commander must fully

use organic motor transport assets before requesting

transportation support. The CSSE commander must be

engaged in the process to assist the supported unit.

This enhances the CSSE commander’s ability to

anticipate demand. 

A transportation support requirement generates a

request to move specific quantities of cargo or

personnel. The request is not a request for specific

types or quantities of vehicles unless the tactical

situation drives such a request. The supporting

transportation unit commander will determine types

and quantities of vehicles to support the requirement.

Additionally, effective communications must be

maintained between the supported unit and the

supporting unit to establish requirements, priorities,

and allocation of resources. 

Prioritization

The supported unit commander should establish

priorities well in advance so that the supporting unit

can develop a complementary concept of support.

Priorities, however, cannot be dealt with in a vacuum.

Many other considerations dictate how the

transportation unit will do its job. 

Allocation of Resources

During planning, the supported unit commander must

establish priorities and allocations. When prioritizing,

the commander establishes the precedence of who and

what. When allocating, the commander establishes

how much. 

Transportation C2 in Amphibious/Landing 

Support Operations

The LFSP’s success lies in its ability to C2 its support

elements on the beach, at the port, and in the landing

zone. To establish an effective C2 system, the LFSP must

integrate into the amphibious force’s C2 systems. See

JP 3-02, JP 3-02.1, Joint Doctrine for Landing Force

Operations, JP 3-02.2, Joint Doctrine for Amphibious

Embarkation, FMFM 1-8, and FMFM 4-2, The Naval

Beach Group, for detailed C2 information. 

Shore Party and Beach Party Teams

The shore party team commander controls and

coordinates landing support activities within the

assigned numbered, color-designated beach (e.g.,

red 1). Normally, the shore party team commander

lands with the shore party team’s advance party.

The shore party team commander remains on the

beach to initiate control and coordination of all

landing support tasks.

The beach party team commander lands with the shore

party team commander and is under the OPCON of the

shore party team commander until the beach party

group commander assumes control of the beach party. 

Shore Party and Beach Party Groups

The shore party group commander controls and

coordinates shore party activities within a designated

colored beach (typically, a color designates the beach

for a regimental landing team). This may include two

or more numbered beaches (e.g., blue 1, blue 2). Once

the shore party group commander lands, he assumes

control of subordinate shore party team activities. The

shore party group commander is the operational

commander for both the shore party teams and the

beach party group. The shore party group commander

also begins to consolidate activities at the group level.

Consolidation activities include—

l Redistributing shore party team personnel and

equipment as required. 

l Establishing shore party group communications and

consolidation of existing shore party team

communications. 
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 3-7

l Sending liaison personnel to supported unit

headquarters. 

l Coordinating defensive measures. 

l Coordinating beach party functions with the beach

party group commander. 

l Submitting reports and records. 

The beach party group commander assumes control of

the beach party teams after the beach party group lands.

The beach party group commander remains under the

OPCON of the shore party group commander until

the CSSE lands and absorbs the shore party

groups; then, the beach party commander assumes

responsibility for beach party operations. 

Landing Force Support Party

The LFSP commander controls and supervises landing

support operations as set forth in the Combat Service

Support Control Agencies Plan tab E to appendix 14

(Amphibious Operations) to annex C (Operations) of

the operation order. The LFSP command element

ensures success of landing support through close

coordination, timely reinforcement, and consolidation

of CSS activities. The LFSP commander moves the

LFSP command post ashore once the situation allows. 

The LFSP commander establishes the LFSP

headquarters ashore and assumes OPCON of the shore

party, beach party, and other LFSP units ashore. The

shore and beach party commanders retain ADCON of

their respective units (see figure 3-3). The LFSP

headquarters’ personnel and equipment that

accompany the LFSP commander ashore should be

minimal since the LFSP commander will use existing

assets of the shore party headquarters to coordinate

with the CLF and commander, amphibious task

force (CATF).To avoid duplication, the shore and

beach party headquarters become part of the

LFSP C2 system. 

Helicopter Support Team

The HST commander controls and coordinates all

landing support activities within the assigned LZSA.

The HST commander normally lands with the HST

advance party.

Once HST operations in support of the

helicopterborne unit initial insertion cease, the LFSP

assumes responsibility for sustainment of the

helicopterborne unit and operation of the associated

LZSA. Those HST units previously attached to the

helicopterborne unit return to OPCON of the LFSP. 

Reports and Records

Reports and records are crucial to establish and

maintain C2 during the initial phase of an amphibious

assault. Reports provide the status of the movement,

personnel, and supplies ashore. It is essential that the

LFSP provide the landing force commander with the

status of units ashore. This information becomes a

basis for the commander’s tactical decisions. The

reports’ paragraph or report tab to the landing force

support party appendix to annex D (Logistics/Combat

Service Support) of the operation order identifies the

required content and time of submission of LFSP

reports. The required reports vary with each operation. 

Subordinate units of the shore party and HST maintain

and must continually update unit and equipment

movement records. These records are submitted to

Figure 3-3. Final Command and

Control Relationship.
3-8 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

higher headquarters where they are consolidated with

other applicable material to develop the required

reports. The following paragraphs discuss some of the

records that must be maintained.

Beach (Landing Zone) Support Area Overlay

This overlay shows the location and disposition of all

units, combat service support dumps, unloading points,

command posts, landing support units, bivouac areas,

temporary bivouacs in the BSA, LZSA, road net, traffic

control plans, and landing support installations. 

Beach (Landing Zone) Defense Overlay

This overlay shows the defensive organization of the

support area. All organizations assigned a ground

defensive mission in the support area are shown, even

if they are not organic to the shore party team or HST.

This overlay is submitted to the next higher landing

support echelon and the supported unit commander as

soon as possible. Changes are reported as they occur. 

Tactical Situation Overlay

Since the shore party/HST requires security and

protection during a landing, it is essential that the

shore party/HST be aware of the tactical situation.

The tactical situation overlay identifies the tactical

disposition of all friendly forces and aids in the

delivery of CSS. The tactical situation overlay is also

used to brief arriving unit commanders on the latest

tactical situation. 

Enemy Situation Overlay

This overlay shows the location of enemy forces in the

objective area. It is used to identify the current enemy

situation for the shore party/HST commanders and to

orient unit commanders passing through the area.

Disposition to Seaward Chart

This chart shows the location and disposition of

friendly naval units. It includes picket boats and offshore transfer barges. 

Ships’ Position Chart

This chart indicates the relative position of each ship

that is or will be unloaded by a shore party echelon. 

Ships’ Unloading Status Chart

This chart provides the LFSP commander with the

unloading status of each transport/cargo ship. It also

provides unit commanders and their staffs with the

status of their troops and gear. The ships’ unloading

status chart includes— 

l Percentage of personnel unloaded. 

l Percentage of vehicles unloaded. 

l Percentage of cargo, by class, unloaded. 

l Estimated percentage of entire ship unloaded.

l Estimated time of completion to unload entire ship. 

l Ship’s scheduled time of return to the sea echelon. 

Dump Status Chart

This chart reflects quantity of supplies received,

issued, and on hand at a specified time. 

Casualty and EPW Evacuation Chart

This chart shows the number of casualties and EPWs

received, evacuated, and retained. 

Vehicle and Equipment Status Chart

This chart provides the disposition of vehicles and

equipment operating under control of the LFSP. 

LFSP Personnel Distribution Chart

This chart shows personnel attached to the LFSP by

unit and their deployment to subordinate landing

support units. 

Serials Landed Status Report

This report records the status of equipment and

personnel who have reached their intended

designated beach. 
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 3-9

Communications

To maintain C2, the LFSP must communicate with

each of its units, the TACLOG, and ships

participating in the landing. A reliable, flexible,

and effective communications net is essential to

C2 because it allows the commander to monitor

the status of the LFSP. 

Note: TACLOGs monitor ship-to-shore movement and

provide the CATF and CLF with critical information

concerning the movement and forces ashore. 

As soon as advance units of the shore party or HST

land, they establish primary and alternative

communications nets. Alternative communications

nets generally parallel beachmaster communications

nets and are used if the primary communications net

fails. After advance units have landed and established

communications, they relay requests for troop serials

and supplies from the commanders ashore to the

TACLOGs located on the control ships. All requests

for troop serials and supplies are made via the LFSP,

except when LFSP communications are not

established. If the urgency of the situation or the

failure of a communications net requires the landing

force to transmit its requirements directly to the

TACLOG through a tactical or command net, the

landing force must notify the LFSP immediately upon

reestablishment of communications. 

The shore party/HSTs are the primary users of

communications equipment, messengers, wire,

facsimiles, radios, and supplementary (visual and

sound) communications because they must

communicate with the ship, landing craft, and aircraft.

In addition to standard communications equipment,

the LFSP uses supplementary communications (e.g.,

public address systems, electronic megaphones,

various signal lights) to direct the landing and

movement of crafts in and around the beaches and

the HLZ. See MCWP 6-22 for specific

communications information. 

Beach and Landing Site Markers

The use of beach and landing site markers is another

method to maintain control. Standard markers are used

by the shore party teams and the HSTs to maintain

order and to facilitate smooth operations ashore.

Markers locate and identify beaches, landing sites,

unloading points, dumps by class of supplies,

beaching points for landing ships, range markers,

landing points for vehicles, and casualty evacuation

points. Standard markers are available to support

both day and night operations. Appendix A

contains illustrations of standard beach and landing

site markers. 

Transportation C2 in MPF Arrival 

and Assembly Operations

Maritime pre-positioning provides a combatant

commander with deployment flexibility and increased

capability to respond rapidly to crisis or contingency

with a credible force. The purpose of an MPF

operation is to rapidly establish a MAGTF ashore to

conduct subsequent operations across the operational

continuum. An MPF operation may consist of one ship

and an appropriate sized MAGTF or all maritime

pre-positioning ships squadrons (MPSRONs). 

Arrival and Assembly

Arrival and assembly may well be the most crucial

phase of an MPF operation and includes—

l Initial preparation of the AAA. 

l Coordinated arrival and off-load of equipment and

supplies from the MPSRON (in port, across a beach

or both). 

l Reception of the FIE. 

l Movement and distribution of the MPE/S. 

l Security. 

l Preparation for the MAGTF operational mission.

Commencement and Disestablishment

The arrival and assembly phase begins on arrival of

the first maritime pre-positioning ship or the first

aircraft of the main body at the designated AAA. This

phase ends when adequate equipment and supplies are

off-loaded and issued to awaiting units, C2

communications are established, and the MAGTF

commander reports that all essential elements of the

MAGTF have attained combat readiness.

Simultaneous or subsequent tactical operations by the
3-10 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

MAGTF and movements to those operations are not

considered part of the MPF operation. 

Arrival and Assembly Organizations

MPF C2 organizations and their relationships for

arrival and assembly are depicted in figure 3-4. 

Arrival and Assembly Operations Group

The AAOG is a task-organized group from the

MAGTF whose function is to coordinate and control

arrival and assembly operations. It consists of

personnel from all MAGTF elements plus liaison from

the CNSE. The AAOG must— 

l Monitor the airflow of the FIE into the AAA.

l Coordinate the association of MPE/S with

designated organizations.

l Provide initial C2 functions for the MAGTF in the

AAA. 

l Direct and coordinate the AAOE’s operations. 

l Provide direction, coordination, and interface with

the LFSP and ACO until such time as the respective

MAGTF elements assume responsibility for those

functions. 

l Publish the daily situation report. 

Arrival and Assembly Operations Element 

Each element within the MAGTF and Navy support

element (NSE) establishes an AAOE to perform the

following tasks: 

Figure 3-4. C2 Organizations for Arrival and Assembly. 
Transportation Operations_______________________________________________________________________________ 3-11

l Provide initial C2 activities within the assembly

area until arrival of the element commander. 

l Receive MPE/S and verify items with the MAGTF.

Distribute MPE/S to unit equipment reception

points (ERPs) per the MAGTF commander’s

distribution plan. 

l Provide liaison with the AAOG. 

l Coordinate security in the assembly areas. 

l Oversee preparations for combat. 

l Provide throughput reports to the AAOG as

directed by the arrival and assembly plan. 

Airfield Coordination Officer 

The airfield coordination officer is designated by the

MAGTF commander under the cognizance of the

ACE and acts as the single point of contact for hostnation support and other support peculiar to aviation

operations at the airfield(s). Non-Air Mobility

Command support requirements identified by the

tanker airlift control element (TALCE) advanced

echelon will be coordinated through the airfield

coordination officer. The airfield coordination officer

should be a member of the survey, liaison, and

reconnaissance party (SLRP) to facilitate airfield

operational planning.

Landing Force Support Party 

The LFSP is a task-organized unit composed primarily

of elements from the CSSE and NSE augmented by

other MAGTF elements. The LFSP controls

throughput of personnel and MPE/S at the port, beach,

and airfield. The LFSP falls under the control of the

OIC, AAOG and has four principal throughput groups:

l POG. 

l Beach operations group (BOG). 

l AACG. 

l MCC. 

Port Operations Group

The POG is a task-organized group from the

MAGTF’s beach and terminal operations unit and the

Navy cargo handling force. The POG may be retained

after arrival and assembly for the off-load of resupply

shipping as well as retrograde of damaged equipment.

The POG is responsible for preparing the port prior to

arrival of the maritime pre-positioning ship and the

throughput of supplies and equipment as they are offloaded from the ship. The POG operates under the

overall direction of the LFSP and in coordination with

the ship’s debarkation officer. The POG is responsible

for the following tasks: 

l Establish overflow areas for supplies and

equipment. 

l Clear piers and overflow areas of material. 

l Establish communications with the LFSP and ship’s

debarkation officer. 

l Establish liaison with host-nation port authorities

for employment of cargo and material handling

equipment, operations and longshoreman support,

and dunnage. 

l Operate cargo/materials handling equipment

including shore-based cranes, forklifts, tractors,

dollies, lighting, etc. 

l Assist Navy cargo handling force detachments in

ship off-load as directed and transport cargo to

overflow areas as necessary. 

l Establish bulk fuel/water reception and transfer

facilities as directed. 

l Be prepared to continue port operations for followon shipping. 

Beach Operations Group

The BOG is a task-organized group from the

MAGTF landing support unit and the NSE. The

BOG operates under the overall direction of the

LFSP and in coordination with the assault craft unit.

The BOG may be retained after the arrival and

assembly for the off-load of follow-on shipping.
3-12 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

The functions of the BOG and associated NSE

beach party teams (BPTs) include:

l Providing the beach area C2 necessary to control

and coordinate the throughput of MPE/S. 

l Organizing and developing the beach area as

necessary to support the throughput of MPE/S, to

include designating and establishing overflow

areas.

l Coordinating the bulk fluid transfer as required. 

l Off-loading lighterage at the beach. 

l Providing direction for MAGTF drivers to move

vehicles from the lighterage. 

l Providing surge vehicle operators. 

l Preparing for follow-on operations. 

Arrival Airfield Control Group

The AACG is responsible for the control and

coordination of the off-load of airlifted units and

equipment and provides limited combat service

support to those units. The AACG is task-organized

around a nucleus provided by the landing support

company of the CSSE and is structured and manned to

provide continuous operations support for multiple

aircraft. Normally, the AACG will deploy as an

element of the advance party and initiate operations at

the arrival airfield. AACG is the point of contact

between TALCE at the arrival airfield and the LFSP. 

Movement Control Center

The MCC is the agency that plans, routes, schedules,

and controls personnel and equipment movements

over LOCs. In MPF operations, the MCC forms the

MPE/S being off-loaded from the ship or aircraft into

separate AAOE convoys for movement to the AAOEs

(see figure 3-5). 

Automated Information Systems Support

MAGTF II/Logistics Automated Information 

System

The MAGTF II/logistics automated information

system (MAGTF II/LOG AIS) family of systems

provides the automated information support necessary

to assist in the control of transportation operations. 

MAGTF II/LOG AIS is a family of coordinated,

mutually supporting, automated systems designed to

support deliberate and crisis action/time-sensitive

planning, deployment, employment, and redeployment

of a MAGTF in independent, joint and/or

multinational operations. MAGTF II/LOG AIS is

composed of interrelated systems that perform

common and discrete functions (see figure 3-6). It also

includes the MAGTF Data Library (MDL), which

serves as source data for the systems. 

Each system shares a common database, yet performs

separate and complementary functions. Each of the

systems uses the same data and, if so desired, the same

plan. This allows a plan (see figure 3-7 and figure 3-8,

on page 3-14) to go through the various stages of

creation, sourcing, assignment to transportation assets

and time-phased force deployment data (TPFDD)

construction without the necessity of exporting data

from one system to another. 

MAGTF II

MAGTF II is used by the Marine Corps planning

community to create contingency and execution

operations plans. Additionally, MAGTF II acts as the

Marine Corps’ TPFDD interface with the Joint

Operations Planning and Execution System (JOPES).

Figure 3-5. Movement Control 

Center Relationships.
Transportation Operations_______________________________________________________________________________ 3-13

Used primarily in the planning and marshalling

phases of operations, MAGTF II provides the

information and functionality necessary to— 

l Forecast lift and sustainability requirements. 

l Provide deployment requirements to MAGTF

Deployment Support System II (MDSS II) for

detailed sourcing and refinement at the battalion,

squadron or separate company level. 

l Rapidly develop and refine TPFDD information

to meet crisis planning based on combatant

commander and service-mandated deadlines. 

l Compare and select alternative force structures. 

l Allow the rapid sharing of detailed deployment

information between planners, operators, and

logisticians. 

Figure 3-6. MAGTF II LOG AIS Relationships.

Figure 3-7. MAGTF II and MDSS II Planning.
3-14 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Note: MAGTF II is to be replaced by the joint force

requirements generator II as part of the JOPES 2000

upgrade. No specific date for project termination has

been set. 

MDSS II

MDSS II is the unit-level (battalion/squadron/separate

company) deployment planning and execution system

that provides MAGTF and subordinate elements a

single source automated deployment database. See

figures 3-9 and 3-10. MDSS II provides commanders

with the ability to respond to MAGTF II taskings for

detailed plan data. Used during all phases of an MPF

operation, MDSS II provides the information and

functionality necessary to—

l Source and tailor plan-specific force structures

composed of personnel, equipment, and supplies for

multiple operation plans. 

l Monitor embarkation readiness status.

l Provide movement and embarkation planning data.

l Assign pre-positioned assets and equipment to

specific units. 

l Develop and tailor equipment databases for future

operations.

l Use logistics applications of automated marking

and reading symbols (LOGMARS) for barcoding

and scanning to— 

n Create labels.

n Rapidly associate containers/vehicles and their

contents. 

n Update cargo and equipment date, time, and location in the MDSSII database by downloading

data directly from the LOGMARS data collection devices (DCDs) or transmitting real time

from the DCD via wireless modem. 

Figure 3-9. Deployment Systems Overview.

Figure 3-8. MPF Functions.
Transportation Operations_______________________________________________________________________________ 3-15

n Track equipment and supplies from ship to shore

and through phases of an off-load with near-realtime updates. 

l Create supply transactions that update asset

tracking for logistics and supply system (ATLASS)

in order to create accountability records. 

l Provide unit-level movement requirements

information to Transportation Coordinator’s Automated

Information for Movement System (TCAIMS) for

determination and assignment of transportation from

origin to POE and POD to destination. 

l Provide unit-level embarkation data to computeraided embarkation management system (CAEMS)

and computer aided load manifesting (CALM)

systems in order to prepare load plans. 

l Provide standard and ad hoc reports in response to

information requests. 

l Provide equipment density lists to the Supported

Activity Supply Systems (SASSY) management

unit (SMU) to develop Class IX and secondary

repairable requirements for using units. 

CAEMS

CAEMS is used by the unit-level embarkation officer

to accomplish detailed load planning of Amphibious

and Military Sealift Command shipping and produce

supporting documentation. CAEMS provides the

information and functionality necessary to—

l Template deck diagrams for both amphibious and

Military Sealift Command shipping.

l Produce dangerous cargo manifests. 

l Conduct trim, stress, and stability calculations. 

l Produce ‘as loaded’ deck diagrams upon

completion of loading. 

Note: CAEMS is to be replaced by the Integrated

Computerized Deployment System (ICODES) in the

future. 

TCAIMS

Transportation coordinators (i.e., LMCC and motor

transportation coordinators) use TCAIMS to manage

transportation assets in the deployment, employment,

and redeployment of operational forces. 

TCAIMS provides the information and functionality

necessary to—

l Manage requests, tasking, and dispatching

associated with daily transportation operations at all

levels of command. 

l Plan, coordinate, and manage transportation assets

from origin to POE and from POD to destinations. 

l Provides the source data that feeds

USTRANSCOM and the Defense Transportation

System (DTS) to facilitate in-transit visibility (ITV). 

Figure 3-10. Deployment Support.
3-16 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Note: MDSS II and TCAIMS will migrate to the joint

system, TCAIMS II. No project termination date has

been set. 

Supporting Systems

The following are non-MAGTF II/LOG AIS systems

that provide support to transportation operations. 

MAGTF Data Library

The MDL serves both data distribution and data

quality control functions. Issued on a quarterly basis,

this CD-ROM transmitted data set updates the

permanent technical data files within MAGTF II/LOG

AIS. The users of MAGTF II/LOG AIS are provided

an opportunity to submit requests to change or correct

this data through the use of a Data Trouble Report

which is passed, via the logistics chain, to the

contractor tasked with maintaining the MDL. 

Computer Aided Load Manifesting 

A U.S. Air Force-developed and -maintained system,

CALMS provides a PC-based, automated tool for

producing aircraft load plans. Selected data elements

are exported from MDSS II to CALMS for load

planning and lift estimation. 

Note: CALMS is slated to be replaced by the joint

system, Automated Aircraft Load Planning System

(AALPS) in the future.

Fleet Optical Scanning Ammunition 

Marking System

Fleet optical scanning ammunition marking system

(FOSAMS) is a PC-based automated system that

tracks ammunition, creates government bills of lading

(GBLs), and continuation sheets. FOSAMS also

provides source data for dangerous cargo manifests as

well as interfacing with MDSS II. 

Note: FOSAMS is slated to be replaced by the U.S.

Army managed Retail Ordnance Logistics

Management System (ROLMS). 

Retail Ordnance Logistics Management System 

ROLMS is a comprehensive system that can perform

all ammunition logistics management and reporting

functions, such as inventory, requisitioning, issues,

expenditures, receipts, asset maintenance, notice of

ammunition reclassification processing, and

transaction reporting.

War Reserve System

This mainframe system is used to compute

sustainment and war reserve requirements for

deliberate planning and crisis execution purposes in

support of the various regional contingencies requiring

Marine forces involvement. During deliberate

planning, sourced requirements from the system flow

into other MAGTF II information systems with the

ultimate result of updating TPFDDs for various

contingencies. In the event of contingency operations,

materiel release transactions generated within the war

reserve system can pass into both retail and wholesale

inventory systems as the means of withdrawing and

pushing equipment/materiel to the Marine forces in

the operation area. The objective of the Marine Corps

War Reserve Program is to ensure that acceptable

levels of materiel are available to support the Marine

forces during crisis or contingency operations. The

War Reserve System interfaces with other Service’s

inventory systems including the DLA. 

Joint Deployment Systems 

Global Command and Control System

The global command and control system (GCCS) is the

joint standard for command and control systems and is

the communications and computer architecture for all

joint systems to operate on. It supports the JOPES. 

Time-Phased Force Deployment Data

The TPFDD registers all strategic (intertheater) sea

and air movement requirements for deployment. The

TPFDD is a part of GCCS and is an automated support

tool for JOPES procedures. 
Transportation Operations_______________________________________________________________________________ 3-17

Joint Flow and Analysis System for Transportation

Joint flow and analysis system for transportation

(JFAST) is an analytical tool for estimating time and

resources required to transport military forces under

various scenarios and situations. It can analyze

transportation requirements from point of origin to

the POD. 

Logistics Sustainment Analysis

and Feasibility Estimator

Logistics sustainment analysis and feasibility

estimator (LOGSAFE) aids the planner by

assessing the sustainment feasibility of a proposed

operations plan. 

Global Transportation Network 

The Global Transportation Network (GTN) is an

automated transportation management system being

developed as the vehicle for developing and

maintaining ITV and total asset visibility. 

Consolidated Aerial Ports System II 

Consolidated aerial ports system II (CAPS II) provides

an automated tool for AMC aerial ports with an

automated C2 capability and the ability to process

cargo and passenger movements. 

Global Decision Support System 

The global decision support system (GDSS) is an

AMC system that schedules, tracks, and controls all

air movements. 

World Port System 

The Worldwide Port System (WPS) supports the

management, tracking, and documentation of U.S.

cargo moving via ocean transportation. 
CHAPTER 4. LANDING SUPPORT OPERATIONS

The Planning Process

An amphibious operation is characterized by the

rapid build up of combat power ashore. A critical

part of the amphibious operation is the planning and

execution of landing the landing force. The LFSP

provides the initial CSS to the landing force. The

operations, intelligence, and CSS staff sections of the

amphibious force focus LFSP planning and

operations. The structure of the LFSP is based on the

landing force’s CSS requirements ashore. The

LFSP’s structure is determined during the planning

phases of an amphibious operation. 

The LFSP is formed and equipped to facilitate the

landing and movement of personnel, supplies, and

equipment across the beach, into HLZ or through a

port; to evacuate casualties and EPWs; and to

perform the beaching, retraction, and salvage of

landing ships and crafts. The LFSP also must provide

personnel and equipment to support the landing of

airborne, air assault or helicopterborne forces,

equipment, and supplies. 

Preliminary Planning

The landing force’s planning guidance comes from the

amphibious operation’s initiating directive. The CLF

determines the extent of participation by unit

commanders during preliminary planning. During

preliminary planning, the CATF and CLF are

responsible for the following: 

l The CLF, with the concurrence of the CATF,

selects primary and alternate landing areas. 

l The CLF selects the landing beach and HLZs from

information provided by the CATF. 

l The CATF selects the tentative date and hour of

landing after consultation with the CLF.

l The CLF develops the landing force concept of

operations ashore. The CLF and CATF’s decisions

impact the CSSE and LFSP commanders’ planning

processes. Therefore, early and continuous

dissemination of planning data is essential to the

CSSE and LFSP commanders. 

Concurrent Planning

The CLF and the landing force staff maintain

continuous liaison with subordinate commands to

ensure understanding. One factor of particular concern

to the LFSP is the determination of landing areas. The

CLF selects landing areas that, consistent with the

ability of surface and air units to provide support, will

facilitate accomplishment of the landing force

mission. It is essential that concurrent planning occurs

between the landing force staff and subordinate

commanders since time constraints can reduce

planning opportunities. If possible, subordinate CSS

planners should be included in operational planning.

Detailed Planning

The MAGTF, after coordination with landing force

units, determines landing support assistance

requirements. Based on these estimated requirements,

the CSSE commander, LFSP commander, and LFSP

staff request additional Marine Corps CSS units and

equipment and/or Navy augmentation if required. The

CSSE staff coordinates landing support planning with

the appropriate staff section within the amphibious

force. 

Parallel Planning

Parallel planning is the continuous planning performed

by the CATF and CLFs subordinate units and staffs to

facilitate the execution of an amphibious landing. This

coordination facilitates smooth landing operations. 

Augmentation

The LFSP commander determines augmentation

required from Marine Corps units or the Navy. The

LFSP notifies the CSSE commander or the applicable

staff officer. Requests for Navy augmentation must be

made as early as possible during the planning process. 
4-2 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Planning Considerations

Principal considerations that affect the landing support

mission and ultimately the structure of the LFSP

include—

l Early, detailed analysis of the objective area. 

l Analysis of tactical plans and their landing support

requirements. 

l Timely and complete training of the task-organized

LFSP. 

l Detailed planning for organization of BSAs and

LZSA. 

l Combat loading of each assault ship. 

l Employment of the sea echelon concept.

l Establishment of adequate communications between

tactical units, control elements, and landing support

units (includes shore party and helicopter support). 

l Defense requirements of BSAs and landing areas. 

l Composition of the assault echelon and assault

follow-on echelon. 

l Evaluation of enemy activity and installations in the

objective area. 

l Establishment of the landing force’s scheme of

maneuver and landing plan. 

l Evaluation of beach hydrographic conditions and

terrain features inland from the beaches. This also

includes HLZs. 

l Quantity and types of supplies to be landed from

assault shipping. 

l Availability of personnel, supplies, and equipment

for shore party operations. 

l Availability of assault shipping. 

l Development of plans for handling EPWs. 

l Development of casualty evacuation and disaster

recovery plans. 

l Identification of coordination requirements with

other agencies. 

l Concept of CSS.

Planning Documents

Activation Order

The LFSP activation order is issued by the CLF. The

LFSP activates on order of the CLF and is normally

terminated once the CSSE commander assumes

responsibility for CSS ashore. 

Note: The task organization of the shore party team/

group and HST creates units that require extensive

training prior to landing support operations.

Therefore, shore party teams/groups and HSTs must

be activated as early as possible to allow

organization and training prior to embarkation. The

CLF is responsible for the control and coordination

of these units.

Landing Force Support Party Operation Plan

The LFSP operation plan provides information and

instructions required by the shore party or HST

commanders to implement the CLFs decisions and

concept of operations for a specific mission. It is

normally published as a tab to appendix 14 to annex C.

Landing Force Support Party Appendix

The LFSP tab appendix 14 to annex C sets forth the

concept of operations and the detailed and special

tasks required to accomplish specific landing support

missions. It contains control instructions and floating

dump instructions, identifies pre-positioned

emergency supplies, establishes priorities for LFSP

equipment, and identifies missions assigned to each

major subordinate section. It also identifies the

relationship of landing support operations to the

overall CSS and landing force schemes of maneuver.

Landing Force Support Party Order

The LFSP commander issues amplifying instructions

to subordinates in the form of an operation order.

These instructions only pertain to subordinate units

and are, therefore, not suitable for inclusion in the

LFSP tab to appendix 14 to annex C (Operations). If a

complete LFSP order is used, the LFSP tab to

appendix 14 to annex C (Operations) can be very brief.

If the LFSP order is not detailed, the LFSP tab

appendix 14 to annex C (Operations) must provide all

necessary information. 
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 4-3

Intelligence Considerations 

Accurate and timely intelligence is the keystone to

planning and decisionmaking. Once intelligence

requirements are determined, all available information

is studied and evaluated to prepare for the landing

support mission. To plan landing support requirements

effectively, the CLF requires detailed intelligence.

Intelligence information must address— 

l Topography. 

l Local resources. 

l Manmade obstructions. 

l Climate. 

l Routes of communications. 

l Enemy methods.

l Enemy installations. 

l Equipment and activities. 

l Beaches. 

l Hydrographic conditions (critical). 

l Terrain immediately inland from the beaches and

around landing zones. 

l General character of surf and inshore currents and

their effect on landing craft. 

l Beach gradient and its affect on the beaching of

landing craft and use of vehicles. 

l Depth of water inshore, as related to determination

of anchorage and maneuverability of supporting

vessels. 

l Composition of the beach and its influence on

beaching and retracting landing craft and soil

trafficability for personnel and vehicles. 

l Tidal range of the designated beaches in relation to

existing and reinforcing obstacles and beach

widths. 

l Location of obstacles as related to their influence on

beaching landing craft or landing helicopters and

debarking personnel and material. 

l Range and time of tides. 

Ship-to-Shore Movement 

Ship-to-shore movement is that portion of an

amphibious operation that moves the landing force off

assault shipping and into a designated area. Its

objective is to ensure the landing of troops, equipment,

and supplies at the prescribed time and place. The

LFSP is a temporary, task organization of the

amphibious force that facilitates the landing and

movement of troops, equipment, and supplies across

beaches and into landing zones, ports, and airfields;

assists in evacuating casualties and EPWs from

beaches and landing zones; and assists in the beaching,

retracting, and salvaging of landing ships and crafts.

The CATF has overall responsibility for preparation of

plans and control of the ship-to-shore movement. The

CLF is responsible for determining the landing force’s

requirements for ship-to-shore movement. The

responsibility for embarkation and landing of the

LFSP rests with the supported tactical unit. 

The landing support units are attached to the

supported tactical unit for embarkation and landing

purposes only. The type of control exercised in the

ship-to-shore movement is based on the type of

movement required and the concept of operations

ashore. Typically, centralized control is exercised up

to the limits of communications. The control system

must provide for rapid fulfillment of landing force

requirements ashore. The LFSP relies on three

agencies afloat for the proper and timely execution of

its mission: the Navy control group, helicopter

logistics support center, and TACLOG. Detailed

planning of the ship-to-shore movement begins after

the landing forces’ scheme of maneuver is

determined and allocation of resources is finalized. 

Final ship-to-shore planning is expressed in the landing plan. The landing plan establishes the landing priority among various elements of the landing force,

provides overall coordination of ship-to-shore movement, and allocates resources. It is issued as tab C

(Landing Plan) to appendix 14 (Amphibious Operations) to annex C (Operations). 

See JPs 3-02.1 and 3-02.2 and FMFM 1-8 for detailed

information.
4-4 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Shore Party Team

There may be one or more shore party teams. The

exact number of teams is contingent upon the landing

plan. To support the assigned BSA effectively, the

entire shore party team must be embarked aboard the

same amphibious shipping so all elements of the

team arrive at their destination at approximately the

same time. 

Normally, shore party teams land and establish

designated beaches to support a unit the size of a BLT.

Therefore, the shore party team’s advance party is one

of the first sections to land on the beach. The shore

party team’s remaining personnel and equipment are

landed in an on-call wave as soon as the tactical

situation allows. 

Advance Party

The shore party team’s advance party, embarked in

two or more amphibious landing craft, lands as early

as possible in the scheduled waves. Typically, the

advance party consists of a command section, liaison

section, communications section, and beach party

section. The shore party and beach party team

commanders land with the advance party. The advance

party’s liaison personnel and the landing force

command echelon generally embark and land together.

Shore Platoon

The shore platoon is located near the line of departure

at H-hour waiting for the order to land. The platoon is

normally in a landing craft with pre-selected, high

priority equipment from the motor transport/heavy

equipment platoon. The shore platoon constructs

beach exits and lateral roads, assists in the unloading

of cargo and equipment from landing craft and landing

ships, and helps the beach party team as required. 

Service Platoon

The service platoon lands as directed by the shore

party team and provides support to the team. 

Motor Transport/Heavy Equipment Platoon

This platoon lands when the beach is secure enough to

move heavy equipment ashore. It provides equipment

to support the transportation needs of the shore party

team. Therefore, motor transport/heavy equipment

items not needed immediately by shore and service

platoons are loaded into landing craft and called

ashore as needed on nonscheduled waves. 

Headquarters

The shore party team headquarters lands in an on-call

wave and is phased ashore with other sections once the

beach is organized and ready for the headquarters to

take control. It does not land with the advance party. 

Helicopter Support Team

HSTs land early in the ship-to-shore movement and

establish landing zones that support a BLT-sized unit.

The HST, like the shore party team, is a basic building

block for the LFSP. 

Shore Party Group

The shore party group consists of a headquarters,

shore party team(s), and, if necessary, special

attachments. Each group phases ashore as required. 

The group headquarters lands once designated beaches

are established, and they consolidate the existing shore

party teams into the shore party group. It is embarked

with the unit it supports. The command and

communications sections embark on the same ship as

the landing force commander. Before H-hour, the

command and communications sections transfer with

the TACLOG to the primary control vessel stationed

off their assigned beach so they can monitor the

landing of the shore party teams. Other sections, such

as the military police and the motor transport and

equipment section may be embarked on other ships in

the embarkation group. The remainder of the shore

party group headquarters, under command of the shore

party group executive officer, should be embarked

with the motor transport and equipment section. 

The command section normally lands in two echelons:

one echelon lands with the shore party group

commander, and the other echelon lands with the

shore party group executive officer. The shore party

group commander and selected personnel are landed

from a free boat as soon as consolidation and control

of the shore party group can be effected. Remaining
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 4-5

sections of the shore party group headquarters are in

on-call or nonscheduled waves and land on request of

the shore party group commander. Personnel in the

replacement pool are landed as a first priority.

Beach Party Team

The Navy’s beach party team usually lands in four

echelons, three of which land in scheduled waves. The

first echelon to land contains the beach party team’s

command echelon, and it lands with the shore party

team’s advance party. The second echelon lands in the

same amphibious vehicle that contains the beach party

team’s command post equipment. This allows the

beach party team commander to establish

communications with Navy forces afloat and with

adjacent beach party teams. The third echelon lands

with the salvage section. The fourth echelon lands in

an on-call wave with the rest of the shore party team.

Refer to FMFM 1-8 for more information.

Landing Force Support Party

Once directed by the CLF, the LFSP commander

moves the LFSP command post ashore to coordinate

and consolidate the CSS efforts of the existing shore

party teams/groups and to monitor and support the

logistics activities of the HSTs, beach party group, and

special attachments. The LFSP headquarters is formed

when more than one shore party group or HST is

included in the landing force. 

Typically, the LFSP’s command group is embarked

with the landing force command group. The command

group typically includes the LFSP commander, beach

party commander, communications officer, manpower

or personnel officer (G-1/S-1), G-3/S-3, and other

selected staff assistants. The LFSP executive officer,

G-4/S-4, and certain administrative personnel are

normally embarked with the alternate landing force

command group. Normally, the headquarters

commandant is embarked with the LFSP headquarters’

remaining personnel and equipment. Special

attachments to the LFSP are embarked in available

shipping in accordance with the landing plan. 

Prior to H-hour, the LFSP commander, advance

command group, and the TACLOG transfer to the

control vessel. The LFSP commander and command

group land in an on-call wave. The LFSP commander

may land in a nonscheduled wave if he is required

earlier or later than anticipated. The executive officer

and alternate command group land in a free boat

separate from the LFSP commander. The remainder of

the LFSP lands as requested by the LFSP commander. 

Operations Ashore 

Landing support operations begin with the landing of

the advance parties and continue until the landing

support operation is completed or relieved. The LFSP

remains functional until the landing support operation

is terminated or the CSSE commander relieves the

LFSP of its responsibilities. The primary CSS beach is

designated during the planning stage and will be

known as the BSA. The BSA remains operational and

is the primary means of support to the landing force

during subsequent operations ashore. 

Shore Party Team

Shore party team operations vary based on the landing

plan and scheme of maneuver. The shore party team’s

advance party reconnoiters the beach and road net and

verifies proposed sites for beach installations. The

command section marks the beach center and flanks

and then begins development of the BSA. Once the

entire shore party team has landed, they—

l Organize the BSA. 

l Establish basic communications capabilities. 

l Locate dumps inland. 

l Establish facilities for limited equipment repair. 

l Establish evacuation stations. 

The shore party team’s goal is to prepare and maintain

beaching points and access roads, move troops and

equipment across the beach rapidly, and reduce/avoid

congestion on the beach. The shore party team

unloads, segregates, stores, safeguards, and issues

supplies as they are brought ashore. Support

operations are decentralized and the primary source

for combat service support is still the tactical units

located aboard ship. Only those service support units

that operate in direct support of the combat units are

landed early. 
4-6 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Minimum preplanned levels of supply are established

ashore once the tactical situation begins to develop

and additional shore party equipment, personnel, and

supplies have landed. Shore party team operations are

then centralized under a shore party group.

Consolidated control usually does not involve physical

consolidation of combat service support installations. 

Operations of the combat service support sections in the

BSA are directed by the shore party team commander,

who allocates areas to all units in the BSA and

coordinates local defense and security. The shore party

team organizes the BSA and develops inland supply

facilities into combat service support areas. 

Advance Party

The advance party of the shore party team is the first

shore party section to land. The advance party

reconnoiters the beach and road net and verifies

tentatively selected sites for beach installations. The

advance party’s command section marks the beach

center and flanks and begins development of the

BSA in preparation for the landing of follow-on

troops. If possible, beaches are established in close

proximity to each other to ease consolidation once

the shore party group lands. The advance party

establishes the advance command post and erects

flank and center markers that indicate the limits of

the beach for which they have primary responsibility.

The beach party team commander and staff establish

their command post close to the shore party team’s

command post. They then erect range markers and

other navigational devices as required. After the

beach organization is accomplished, personnel

reconnoiter dump routes and locations for future

beach combat service support installations. 

Shore Platoon

The shore platoon constructs beach exits and lateral

roads and assists in the unloading of cargo and

equipment from landing crafts and ships. They also

assist the beach party team as required. 

Service Platoon

Service platoon personnel compose the initial supply/

ammunition dump sections. They establish dump areas

and organize the beach in depth. Facilities in the dump

are further developed as additional personnel arrive.

Operations in the BSA and in the dumps vary in every

operation. Therefore, unit assignments and specific

jobs to be performed should be clearly delineated in

the LFSP operation order. 

Motor Transport/Heavy Equipment Platoon

The motor transport/heavy equipment platoon

provides equipment to support the shore party team’s

transportation needs. Once the shore party team is

firmly established ashore, all equipment and motor

transport operations revert to the control of the motor

transport/heavy equipment platoon commander. 

Headquarters

Once ashore, the headquarters’ command section takes

control of the advance command post and completes

the command and control facilities. The organization,

location, and function of the shore party team

command post depend on whether the team is

operating independently or as part of a shore party

group. If operating independently, it may approach the

size and complexity of a group command post. If

operating as part of a shore party group, the group

normally assumes the functions performed by the

shore party team command post. The team

headquarters establishes, in the center of the beach, an

information center/clearing station. This center/

clearing station assists personnel crossing the beach

locate their parent units. It is operated by the shore

party team until it is relieved by the shore party group. 

l Security Section. The security section organizes

its sector of defense within the BSA. If the team is

operating independently, it organizes the defense of

the entire BSA. If adjacent to another team, it

coordinates its sector of defense with the adjacent

team’s and the shore party group commander’s.

The security section provides the ground defense

weapons organic to the landing support platoon,

assigns defense positions, and organizes various

other sections of the shore party team for defense. 

l Communications Section. The communications

section establishes local communications for

internal control. If supporting an assault BLT, the

communications section must establish

communications with the headquarters of the

supported BLT, the TACLOG serving the BLT, and
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 4-7

the parent shore party group. See MCWP 6-22 for

more information. 

l Evacuation Section. The evacuation section is

located near the center of the beach and prepares for

receipt and evacuation of casualties. These facilities

are austere, but they must be prepared to hold

casualties if evacuation is not immediate. Facilities

must protect casualties from the elements and

enemy action. Medical treatment is limited to

emergency measures only. 

l MP Section. The MP section deploys to assigned

traffic control points and establishes control in the

BSA. They also establish an EPW collection point

and evacuate or hold EPWs. The MP section also

establishes straggler collection points for personnel

separated from their units. 

Shore Party Group

After the shore party group lands, the shore party

group commander coordinates the consolidation of

existing shore party teams into the shore party group.

The shore party group commander is directly

responsible to the LFSP commander for organization,

operation, and defense of the BSA. The landing plan

and scheme of maneuver determine the shore party

group’s operations. The organization and disposition

of the shore party teams and the size of the landing

force determine if the shore party group operates two

or more BSAs. 

The shore party group headquarters is organized

around the headquarters section of a landing support

company, TSB, and augmented as required.

Immediately upon landing, the shore party group

headquarters is established with one of the shore

party teams on the beach. This allows the shore party

group commander to supervise operations of the

shore party teams. 

Command Section

The command section commands, controls, and

coordinates the efforts of the shore party teams, as

they are absorbed into the shore party group. This

section is responsible for the administrative needs of

the shore party group and maintains up-to-date supply

records. If appropriate, this section consolidates shore

party team security sections into a group security

section to provide defense for the BSA. 

MP Section

The MP section is assigned local defense and security

missions and supervises the operations of the MPs

assigned to the shore party teams. 

Evacuation Section

The evacuation section is located near the shore party

group’s command post. It maintains records and plans

for casualty evacuation from the BSA and provides

medical care for the shore party group headquarters. 

Communications Section

The communications section expands existing

capabilities as required to meet the needs of the shore

party group.

Motor Transport and Equipment Section 

The motor transport and equipment section records the

status and operational assignment of all attached

equipment and motor transport items. 

Replacement Pool

Replacement personnel are generally placed in

defensive positions in the BSA or assigned to dump

areas as required. Replacement officers are assigned

duties in shore party teams and shore party group task

organizations until they are needed as replacements in

the tactical units. 

Beach Party Team Headquarters

This section is established near the shore party group’s

command post. Once the beach party group establishes

communications with the beach party teams, it

assumes control of beach party team operations. 

Helicopter Support Team

The HST provides terminal guidance to helicopters

landing in the HLZ they also provide rigging and

external lift equipment and supplies to forward areas
4-8 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

of operation. These teams are responsible for their

own security. 

Landing Force Support Party

Once ashore, the LFSP commander assumes control of

landing support operations. The LFSP organizes a

main command post. Shore party groups and HSTs are

not consolidated into the LFSP main command post.

The shore party group serves as the alternate

command post. It is located separately in the BSA.

The LFSP’s main command post coordinates and

assists the shore party groups and HSTs, and its

functions vary only slightly from that of the shore

party group’s command post. 

The shore party group commander is ashore and

operating in the BSA prior to the arrival of the LFSP

headquarters. Therefore, the LFSP headquarters

establishes itself ashore as soon as possible and

usually locates itself within the BSA of the major

combat service support effort. The following sections

make up the LFSP headquarters:

Command and Administrative Section. The

command section is responsible for the command and

control and administrative (e.g., messing, billeting)

functions of the LFSP. This section maintains records

on dump status, ships’ unloading status, location of

ships, serials requested and landed, beach/landing

force developments, tactical situation, casualty and

EPW evacuations, and other data as directed. It

consolidates and forwards reports from the shore party

groups and HSTs to the appropriate headquarters.

Requests for other than routine supply requirements

are received and handled by this section.

Medical Section. The medical section plans the

LFSP’s medical evacuation functions, supervises

patient operations, and prepares medical evacuation

reports. In addition, this section provides medical

services for personnel located in the immediate

vicinity of the LFSP headquarters. 

MP Section. This section supervises the shore party

and HST’s MP sections. It also establishes the landing

force’s EPW stockades and organizes and evacuates

EPWs from the objective area.

Communications Section. The communications

section expands existing capabilities as required to

meet the needs of the LFSP. 

Motor Transport and Equipment Section. This

section provides the transportation and equipment

requirements needed by the LFSP headquarters. 

Liaison Section. This section consists of personnel

attached or under the operational control of the LFSP.

The critical function of liaison personnel are to

monitor, coordinate, advise, and assist the LFSP in its

dealings with their parent unit. 

Organization of the Beach

Different emphasis is placed on beaches within the

amphibious objective area at different times. Prior

planning determines control of the primary combat

service support beach. The CSS beach remains in

operation and is the primary means of support to the

landing force during operations ashore. Therefore, it

must be organized effectively to accomplish assigned

shore party tasks and efficiently unload both single

and mixed categories of equipment and supplies.

Based on the tactical situation, beaches are organized

to receive classes of supplies under several conditions.

The organization of the beach is planned prior to the

landing of the LFSP commander or designated

representatives. After landing, the LFSP commander

may adjust the beach’s organization if required.
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 4-9

Designated Beach

A designated beach, represented by a color, is

generally the responsibility of a shore party group.

Each shore party team handles two of the following

types of supplies: fuel, rations, miscellaneous supplies,

ammunition. Separate facilities for unloading supplies

delivered by tracked and wheeled vehicles and

evacuation of casualties are provided. However, if the

tactical scheme of maneuver requires that beaches be

separated, each shore party team is responsible for the

preparation of their assigned beach. The shore party

group headquarters lands on the designated beach

scheduled to handle the major combat service support

effort. This beach and the area to its rear are developed

into a BSA. Other beach operations are abandoned

once sufficient means are established to support the

landing force. The shore party team and its equipment

are then displaced to the main unloading point for

throughput operations. 

Numbered Beach

A numbered beach is the responsibility of a shore

party team. If the tactical scheme calls for the landing

force to land in columns of battalions, a shore party

team is embarked with each leading battalion. The

first team to land organizes installations ashore to

support the landing BLT and subsequent BLTs

landing in column. The shore party team in support

of the BLT landing abreast assumes the

responsibility for half the basic colored beach and

supports the landing of the next column of BLTs.

This would result in colored beach 1 and colored

beach 2. The shore party group headquarters lands

immediately behind the first shore party team so that

it can coordinate the efforts of both teams when the

second team comes ashore. Normally, shore party

teams land and establish numbered beaches. If

possible, numbered beaches are established close to

each other to allow consolidation of two or more

under a shore party group. If numbered beaches are

separated by distances that prevent control by the

same primary control ship (regardless of the size of

the landing force or the length of the beach front),

they assume the control of the designated beach for

the landing. 

Types of Unloading Points

Individual unloading points are established based on

the type of supplies handled. They are normally

categorized as follows. 

Fuel. During the assault, Classes III(A) and III(W)

fuels are taken ashore in bladders, drums, and

refuelers. The unloading point marker is located near

an existing or recently constructed roadway that leads

off the beach to an area suitable for fuel container

storage. Also, the use of a ship-to-shore pipe system

may be necessary for an alternate or additional fuel

point located on the flank of the beach. Its location

must not interfere with unloading. 

Rations. Rations are unloaded either by pallets, ISO

containers or cargo net. Therefore, the unloading point

must have hard surface areas to accommodate forklifts

or rough terrain MHE. Storage areas for pallets,

containers, and cargo nets also need to be established. 

Miscellaneous Supplies. Miscellaneous supplies

constitute all classes of supplies, except fuel, rations or

ammunition that are not carried ashore by troops.

These supplies are packed in varying configurations

and the unloading points must be able to accommodate

pallets, special slings, and MHE. 

Ammunition. The ammunition unloading point’s

organization is similar to the fuel unloading point.

Hard surfaced areas and road systems are required.

The unloading point must be located a safe distance

from the BSA and the fuel unloading point. A

special ammunition supply point also will need to

be established. 

Tracked Vehicles. Tracked vehicles unload their

cargo at predesignated points on the beach. These

points and access lanes are cleared and marked by

engineer or mine clearance personnel. Combat

engineer signs (dated and signed by the person that

cleared the area) mark cleared areas of the beach. 

Wheeled Vehicles. The landing of wheeled vehicles

requires special preparations. Roadways need to be

cleared of mines, leveled, and beach mobility matting

(MOMAT) laid. Vehicles are parked in an assembly

area until their parent unit needs them. Combat

engineers mark cleared areas of the beach.
4-10 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Mixed Categories of Equipment and Supplies

Causeways are used where landing craft cannot reach

the beach or where they will facilitate the movement

of supplies and equipment to the beach. If causeways

are used, the organization of the beach is as follows:

l Shore party’s advance party erects flank and center

markers to mark beach limits. 

l Shore party’s advance party erects range markers to

indicate where causeways beach. 

l Amphibious construction battalion personnel place

and operate the causeways and control all

operations within the causeways. 

l Shore party is responsible for construction,

maintenance, and traffic control of the roadway

leading from the causeway inland. 

Appendix A contains a listing of standard beach and

landing site markers. No other unloading point

markers are used on the beach unless landing craft also

use the beach. Traffic is directed without interruption

to the inland combat service support areas or to the

GCE. Casualties are evacuated directly to designated

casualty receiving and treatment ships. EPWs are

evacuated to EPW receiving ships. If causeways are

not used, the beach party erects range markers and the

landing force component of the shore party prepares

ramp approaches. Evacuation of casualties and EPWs

is executed as stated above. 

Organization and Operation of the 

Beach Support Area

Organization of the BSA facilitates the receiving and

distributing of supply classes needed during the initial

phases of the landing. The BSA must be organized to

handle EPWs, casualties, helicopters, wheeled vehicles,

and lost personnel. To facilitate rapid unloading, initial

supplies and equipment should be vehicle-loaded,

palletized or in packaged lifts and stowed in assault

shipping to permit rapid transfer to amphibious

vehicles, landing craft, trucks or helicopters. This

reduces congestion at the water’s edge and allows

supplies to be moved rapidly inland to using units or

separate inland dumps. The following criteria affect the

location and organization of the BSA. Figure 4-1

contains a suggested layout for a BSA.

l Supply sections should be located in sites that

provide the best dispersion, cover and concealment,

and availability of existing lines of

communications.

l Internal arrangement of the BSA must provide for

maximum traffic circulation. 

l Supplies located within the dumps are segregated

by type or other distinguishing characteristics to

ensure rapid inventory and issue. 

l Manpower requirements are reduced if mechanical

equipment is used to handle cargo. 

l Fuel and ammunition must be separated and dug-in

or revetted (use dozers to accomplish this work

rapidly). 

l Floodlight trailers and fire-fighting equipment are

located within the dump area. 

l HLZs, properly marked and equipped with wind

direction markers and other essential control or

navigational aids, are established near each supply

dump, shore party command post, and casualty

evacuation point. 

In addition to the supply sections, other combat

service support functions exist in the BSA. 

Amphibious Assault Fuel System. The landing

force requires tremendous amounts of Classes III(A)

and III(W) fuels. To facilitate the early landing of the

landing force, bulk fuel units are attached to the

shore party team. The shore party team makes

provisions for adequate space, administrative

support, and protection for these units within the

BSA. These units prepare for bulk delivery of Class

III(A) and III(W) fuels using the amphibious assault

fuel system (AAFS). AAFS equipment is mobileloaded on vehicles and landed early in the operation.

Additional information on the AAFS is provided in

MCWP 3-17, Engineer Operations. 

Aviation Support. The shore party team is

responsible for the support of aviation units landed

from assault shipping. Aviation technical personnel,

equipped with special cargo handling equipment, are

attached to the shore party team during the landing and

establishment of the BSA. The shore party team

establishes dumps for aviation peculiar Class II,

III(A), IV, and V(A) supplies that cannot be moved

directly to air installations. Provisions to repair, refuel,
Transportation Operations_______________________________________________________________________________ 4-11

and rearm helicopters and vertical takeoff and landing

aircraft may also be required. 

Vehicle Parking and Repair. The large number of

vehicles landed in support of the landing force

requires a vehicle parking and maintenance area that is

established by specialists attached to the shore party

team from sections of the CSSE. This area is removed

from the beach area and located within the shore

party’s defensive scheme. 

Troop Assembly Areas. Reserve and support troops

are quickly moved off the beach and into predesignated

assembly areas to facilitate their employment in landing

force operations and to reduce congestion of the beach.

Their time in the assembly area may vary from a few

hours to several days. The shore party team orients

these units as to the tactical situation and assimilates

them into the BSA defense plan. While units are in the

assembly areas, the shore party provides them with any

required combat service support. 

Water Supply Points

Water supply points should be within the BSA so that

the shore party team can provide for their defensive

and administrative support. Their locations are

predetermined and their establishment and exact

locations are reported to higher headquarters.

Figure 4-1. General Layout of BSA.
4-12 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Casualty Evacuation 

Evacuation of casualties from the BSA is a function of

the LFSP. Evacuation station personnel land with the

shore party team and HST headquarters, establish

beach evacuation stations on each shore party team

beach and HST landing zone, and assume evacuation

responsibility. As the assault progresses, evacuation

stations and personnel may be consolidated into the

shore party group, HST or LFSP. This allows

movement of casualties and makes maximum

effective use of landing craft and helicopters. Basic

evacuation procedures continue in effect after

consolidation. The number of casualties treated ashore

increase as more elaborate medical facilities are

established ashore.

Medical Regulating Team. Casualties not taken

directly by helicopter to medical facilities afloat are

evacuated to the beach evacuation station. Those

requiring immediate evacuation are sent from the

beach evacuation station by the most expeditious

means available. Waterborne casualty-carrying craft

report initially to the primary control ship. A medical

regulating team (MRT) is located on the primary

control ship or casualty receiving and treatment ship.

The MRT provides destination information to

waterborne casualty-carrying craft. Casualties also can

be evacuated directly from the beach evacuation

station to casualty receiving and treatment ships

equipped with helicopter platforms or to hospital ships

if available. The destination of the helicopterborne

casualties is controlled by the helicopter direction

center and assisted by an MRT representative.

Detailed information on the evacuation of casualties is

provided in MCWP 4-11.1, Health Services Support

Operations. 

Evacuation Stations. The primary role of an

evacuation station is to facilitate the evacuation of

assault force casualties to a designated casualty

receiving and treatment ship. The LFSP-established

evacuation stations are formed from assets of the

medical battalion. During the initial assault stage,

medical personnel from the battalion aid station may

be required to establish an evacuation station until the

shore party is ashore. The buildup of health service

support facilities ashore continues as the tactical

situation permits. The initial facility establishes shorebased capabilities for emergency surgery. The LFSP

commander and the landing force surgeon determine

the location of the evacuation station. They are

generally located in an area with good approach roads

and protection that will facilitate patient care while

they await evacuation. An HLZ is prepared in the

same area. Refer to MCWP 4-11.1 for further details. 

Note: Plans for evacuation of casualties also include

provisions for property exchange of critical items,

such as litters, blankets, splints, and certain other

medical equipment.

EPW and Civilian Enclosures 

Elements of the LFSP locate and construct civilian and

EPW enclosures. EPW and civilian enclosures are

separated from each other and from other combat

service support installations. They are located within

the BSA’s defense system and must be of sufficient

size to provide for the detainees’ physical needs.

Medical support is provided as required. 

EPW Collection Points

Typically, the shore party team commander

establishes EPW collection points in or near the

landing beaches. HSTs also establish collection points

in HLZs. Collection points are indicated on the combat

service support overlay. If a large number of EPWs are

anticipated early in the assault, ships are designated to

receive and evacuate EPWs. 

Units that capture EPWs are responsible for delivering

them to EPW collection points. MPs assume control of

the EPWs once they are delivered to the collection

points. EPWs are either retained at the collection

points or evacuated to an EPW ship. The shore party

group ensures that— 

l Collection points are established on the beach and

landing zones and the intelligence officer of the

highest headquarters is notified of their location. 

l Personnel are designated to construct temporary

EPW enclosures. 

l An adequate number of guards are available. 
Transportation Operations_______________________________________________________________________________ 4-13

l The collection, evacuation, and safeguarding of

EPWs are coordinated with the appropriate unit.

l Control of EPW facilities is relinquished as

directed. This is normally done when the MP unit is

ashore and functioning. 

Salvage Operations

Shore party salvage operations can be divided into two

categories—

l Salvage of landing craft, amphibious vehicles, and

landing force equipment damaged during the

landing. 

l Salvage of landing force equipment damaged or

rendered inoperable during the conduct of

operations ashore.

The NBG salvages landing craft and vehicles that

broach at the waters edge. Amphibious vehicles,

trucks or other landing force vehicles damaged or sunk

in the vicinity of the beach are salvaged by the beach

party and then moved to maintenance and repair

facilities. Salvage collection points are established in

the BSA by maintenance units. Mobile maintenance

and repair teams can frequently affect salvage of

collected equipment without evacuating vehicles or

pieces of equipment. Salvaged articles reduce the

amount of necessary resupply and replacement for the

landing force.
CHAPTER 5. OTHER TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT OPERATIONS

Air Movement Operations 

Air movement operations require detailed planning

and preparation by the deploying unit. The MAGTF

embarkation officer handles the planning and

preparations required for the air movement. Air

movement operations involve marshalling transported

units into the staging area; loading supplies,

equipment, and personnel at the departure airfield; and

receiving/dispersing supplies, equipment, and

personnel at the arrival airfield. An air movement

operation consists of two phases: the planning and

preparation phase, and the execution phase. 

The DACG and the AACG are an integral part of the

airfield’s organization. The DACG and AACG’s

missions are to provide the personnel and equipment

required to coordinate, inspect, direct, and assist the

deploying units’ move through aerial ports of

embarkation or debarkation. The deploying unit and

the USAF TALCE comprise the remaining major

organizations at the airfield. Additional units, civilian

agencies or contracted support may fall under the

cognizance of the DACG/AACG or the TALCE.

Close coordination between the DACG, AACG,

TALCE, and the deploying unit(s) is essential to

ensure smooth execution of air movement. 

Organization

The DACG and AACG’s organizations are mission

dependent. The DACG is task-organized with

personnel and equipment that will not accompany the

deploying unit to the destination airfield. The AACG

should be pre-positioned at the arrival airfield before

unit movement begins. If advance deployment of the

AACG is not possible, it should move to the arrival

airfield with the lead elements of the transported unit. 

The DACG and AACG’s organizational structures

should provide, at a minimum, the following capabilities:

l Command. 

l Administration. 

l Statistics. 

l Operations. 

l Logistics (i.e., maintenance, supply, and medical). 

l Joint inspections.

l Load/unload teams. 

l Communications.

The DACG and AACG are task-organized units that

coordinate and direct the throughput of personnel,

equipment, and supplies at the aerial port of

embarkation/aerial port of debarkation. The beach

and terminal operations company, TSB provides the

nucleus for the DACG and AACG. The operations

section of the beach and terminal operations

company provides the nucleus for the control

element of the DACG and AACG. The shipping and

receiving platoon of the beach and terminal

operations company provides the technical expertise

required for traffic management (military

occupational specialty 3112, Traffic Management

Specialists). The TSB provides MHE support,

communications support, and maintenance support.

The FSSG provides additional communications

support or security support if required. 

Augmentation of personnel may be obtained from the

longshoremen platoon of the beach and terminal

operations company and the landing support

companies. Additional personnel and equipment

support also may be provided by organizations

assigned to the airfield, civilian contractors or host

nation support (if applicable). 

Tasks and Responsibilities

Airfield operations and their accompanying tasks and

responsibilities are normally subdivided into

organizational zones of responsibility: departure

airfield operations and arrival airfield operations.

Departure airfield operations are subdivided into the

marshalling area, alert holding area, call forward area,

and loading ramp area. Arrival airfield operations are
5-2 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

subdivided into the unloading ramp area, holding area,

and unit area. 

Deploying Unit

During deployment airfield operations, the deploying

unit has the marshalling area as its unit zones of

responsibility (see figure 5-1). The deploying unit

prepares for air movement; assembles vehicles,

equipment, supplies, and personnel into chalks

(loads); delivers chalks to the alert holding area; and

provides the required dunnage/shoring to accompany

its loads. Its major functions include— 

l Preparing personnel and cargo manifests.

l Preparing other documentation agreed upon during

the joint planning conference. 

l Conducting initial inspection of each chalk. 

l Releasing chalks to the DACG at the alert

holding area. 

During arrival airfield operations, the deploying unit

has the unit area as its zone of responsibility. It

receives chalks from the AACG and terminates the air

movement. The DACG has the alert holding area/call

forward area as its zone of responsibility. The DACG

ensures chalks are moved forward to the ready line

and released to the TALCE in accordance with the

established movement plan. Its major functions

include—

l Accepting chalks from deploying unit.

l Conducting inspections. 

l Establishing communications with deploying unit. 

l Establishing functional areas and backup

communications with TALCE. 

l Assisting in joint inspection with the TALCE and/

or the appropriate movement control agency. 

l Establishing a joint inspection area (i.e., checkpoint

1) and a final briefing area/final manifest correction

area (i.e., checkpoint 2). 

l Establishing statistical data.

Appendix B contains a DACG checklist.

AACG 

The AACG has the holding area as its zone of

responsibility during arrival airfield operations (see

figure 5-2). It receives and processes chalks for release

to the deploying MAGTF. Its major functions

include— 

l Assembling chalks. 

l Inspecting for completeness. 

l Providing minor services (e.g., gas, oil, minor

maintenance). 

l Developing statistical data. 

Figure 5-1. Departure Zones of Responsibility.
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 5-3

l Establishing radio links to the unit area and

functional area. 

l Establishing backup communications in the

unloading area with the TALCE. 

l Establishing a temporary storage area. 

Appendix C contains an AACG checklist.

Planning Considerations

See appendix D for a list of specific requirements

during the planning and preparation phase. 

Coordination Requirements

Air movement operations require close coordination

with all participating units. The DACG and AACG

coordinate with the TALCE and/or the appropriate

movement control agency to ensure smooth

operations. It is essential that the unit movement

officers of the embarking units contact the DACG as

early as possible. This allows the DACG to coordinate

the arrival of the unit and gear to be staged for

movement aboard an aircraft. The movement officers

must coordinate with the AACG to coordinate receipt

of gear and arrival of follow-on personnel and gear. 

Execution

See appendix E for a list of specific requirements

during the execution phase. 

Air Delivery Operations 

Air delivery is the in-flight delivery of specially rigged

equipment and supplies to land-based combat forces.

It is performed by either fixed-wing or rotary-wing

aircraft. Air delivery is a combat service support subfunction and is normally coordinated by the CSSE.

The CSSE commander determines if air delivery is the

appropriate mode of transportation. 

Organization

The Marine Corps’ primary air delivery unit is the air

delivery platoon of the TSB beach and terminal

operations company. The air delivery platoon’s

mission is to receive, store, repair, and rig selected

supplies and equipment for airdrop from either Marine

or Air Force aircraft. 

The air delivery platoon is organized into a 4-member

headquarters section and 2 operating sections of 30

personnel each. TSB beach and terminal operations

company provides the air delivery platoon with motor

transport, communications, and MHE capabilities. 

Figure 5-2. Arrival Airfield Areas of Responsibility.
5-4 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Tasks and Responsibilities

Supported Unit

The supported unit receives airdropped supplies and

equipment. The supported unit’s responsibilities

include—

l Identifying the type and quantities of supplies

required. 

l Requesting resupply through appropriate channels. 

l Selecting, marking, and operating drop zones. 

l Recovering airdropped supplies and equipment

from drop zones. 

l Recovering, staging, safeguarding, and evacuating

air delivery equipment (including parachutes) to the

rigging site. 

Air Delivery Platoon

The air delivery platoon’s responsibilities include—

l Receiving, temporarily storing, and preparing

supplies and equipment for airdrop. 

l Performing organizational and intermediate

maintenance on airdropped equipment (including

parachutes and platforms). 

l Ensuring equipment is inspected and certified as

required. 

l Providing supervision, technical assistance, and

advice on the operation of drop zones and the

recovery and evacuation of airdropped equipment

from drop zones. 

l Furnishing personnel to assist in the pre and post

loading inspections of airdropped loads. 

l Providing technical advice and assistance to other

units involved in parachute operations if necessary. 

l Assisting in loading supplies and equipment into

aircraft. 

l Providing auxiliary personnel to aid flight crews in

performance of the airdrop mission if necessary. 

CSSE

The CSSE’s responsibilities include—

l Determining mode and method of resupply.

l Tasking the air delivery platoon with airdrop

missions. 

l Providing supplies and equipment for airdrop. 

l Transporting supplies and/or equipment from

storage areas (dumps) to the rigging site(s). 

l Providing the support required by the air delivery

platoon (i.e., MHE, motor transport, and

communications). 

l Requesting the airlift support required to

accomplish the airdrop mission. 

l Providing support to the air delivery platoon for

replacement of airdrop equipment and consumables

used in rigging. 

l Acting as coordinator to ensure airdrop loads are

marshaled and loaded aboard supporting aircraft

(air delivery platoon may assist). 

l Verifying receipt of supplies by supported unit. 

Airlifting Unit

The airlifting unit is the aviation unit that provides the

aircraft to accomplish the airdrop mission.

Responsibilities of the airlifting unit differ slightly

depending on whether Marine or Air Force assets are

used. If Marine assets are used, the responsibility rests

with the air delivery platoon to provide additional

equipment and personnel. If Air Force assets are used,

the responsibility to provide additional equipment and

personnel rests with the Air Force. Airlifting units,

regardless of Service affiliation, have the following

responsibilities: 

l Provide appropriate aircraft to accomplish the

assigned mission and advise the supported unit on

the method of delivery. 

l Provide airdrop inspectors to conduct pre- and postloading joint inspections with the air delivery

platoon. 

l Supervise the loading of the aircraft. 

l Deliver the loads to the appropriate drop zones. 

Planning Considerations

Generally, planning for air delivery operations is

conducted by higher headquarters. The amount of

airdrop support required is determined and the concept

of operations is developed. The CSSE commander
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 5-5

determines the mode of transportation required to

support the requesting units. The strategic mobility or

AMC liaison officer located in the G-4 identifies and

tasks airlift assets based upon mission requirement.

This may require liaison with external agencies such

as the TALCE or mobile aerial port squadron (MAPS).

The concept of employment is developed and air

delivery assets are positioned to best support the

assigned mission. The staging area, when supplies and

equipment are to be airdropped, is collocated with the

air delivery platoon along with supporting equipment

and personnel. Air delivery support request procedures

are developed and specific command and control

procedures are established. Supported units are trained

to operate drop zones and to recover/evacuate airdrop

equipment. Once planning and training are

accomplished, the air delivery operation moves to the

execution phase. 

Several considerations greatly impact the planning

process of an air delivery operation—

l The air delivery platoon cannot support itself.

Augmentation involves administrative support,

liaison personnel, and transportation (i.e., MHE,

communications, and motor transport). 

l The supply support required to sustain the air

delivery is extensive, for example, large amounts of

expendable supplies (e.g., plywood) are required.

The supported unit must provide this material. 

l Airdrop operations require large numbers of skilled,

highly trained personnel. 

l The air delivery platoon’s command and control

procedures must be clearly defined. This is critical

if the platoon is not deployed or collocated with its

parent unit. 

l The air delivery platoon is generally positioned at

an airfield that can conduct fixed wing operations. 

The following requirements also must be addressed

during planning: 

l Special requirements must be determined; e.g., the

need to airdrop engineer equipment or other large

platform loads. 

l Adequate storage/operating facilities at or near the

departure airfield. These facilities (hangers are

preferred but tents will suffice) should protect

airdrop equipment from adverse weather. 

l Electrical power for lighting, sewing machines,

tools, and fans used to repair and pack large cargo

parachutes and airdrop equipment. 

l Special sites may have to be established for rigging

and storage of ammunition and POL airdrop loads.

l MHE may be required to move/load airdrop

containers and platforms, also to move supplies

during the rigging process. 

l Prime movers and trailers may be required to move

rigged loads from the rigging site to the aircraft. 

l Close liaison must be established between the

platoon and the airlifted unit to coordinate

marshalling, loading, and inspection of airdrop

loads.

l Communications support is required to coordinate

rigging and loading activities.

Coordination Requirements

Air delivery operations require coordination between

supported and supporting sections. The air delivery

platoon locates, rigs, marshals, and assists in delivery

of supplies and equipment in conjunction with the

ACE, other air components, and the supporting

aircraft. Detailed coordination with the G-3/S-3 and

the fire control sections is required to ensure that air

deliveries do not conflict with supporting fires or other

air operations.

Execution

Typically, the air delivery platoon arrives in the area

of operations with limited equipment and personnel.

To provide effective support, the platoon and its

higher headquarters must know in advance what

airdrop support will be required; i.e., amount of

supplies to be airdropped, aircraft availability, the

threat, duration of the operation, and special

requirements. The air delivery platoon performs the

following functions: 

l Establishes and operates airdrop rigging site. 

l Advises the CSSE commander concerning method

and type of airdrop to be used. 

l Receives, stores, and rigs air-delivered equipment

and supplies in accordance with appropriate

procedures. 
5-6 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

l Prepares rigged airdrop loads for movement to the

aircraft. 

l Participates in joint airdrop inspections for the pre-/

post-loading inspections of air loads. 

l Assists, as required, in the loading of airdrop loads

aboard aircraft. 

l Provides assistance in training supported units in

the operation and marking of drop zones and the

recovery of airdrop equipment and parachutes. 

l Provides, as required, flight crew augmentation for

Marine airdrop aircraft.

Helicopter Support Team Operations 

The use of helicopterborne forces in the amphibious

assault is one of the landing force’s most important

tactical weapons because it can project power ashore

and exploit enemy weaknesses. However, the use of

helicopterborne forces also requires detailed planning

and integration at all levels of the amphibious force.

Planning that supports helicopterborne units is

generally complex and must support units in a rapidly

changing environment. Confusion that disrupts the

rapid buildup of combat power into the HLZ can be

fatal. Therefore, a helicopterborne unit’s CSS must be

tailored to helicopterborne operations. The primary

CSS organization for helicopterborne units is the HST.

However, the helicopterborne unit commander is

responsible for all aspects of the operation within the

HLZ. The supported unit receives support and

augmentation from other MAGTF organizations, but

the helicopterborne unit commander retains

operational control. 

Role of the LFSP 

The role of the LFSP in supporting a helicopterborne

operation depends on the MAGTF’s mission and task

organization. The level of support provided to the

helicopterborne unit by the LFSP may vary from

training in landing zone operations to providing

enough personnel and equipment to form the HST

headquarters and landing zone platoon if a CSS

buildup is required. 

The LFSP controls, maintains, and manages the slings

and cargo nets used for external helicopter lifts.

However, the helicopterborne unit and its attachments

are responsible for preparing, rigging (attaching

slings), and hooking (to the helicopter) their organic

equipment and supplies for external helicopter lift.

The HST provides training assistance in the use of this

equipment to MAGTF units. 

HST Tasks

The HST performs tasks within the landing zone

similar to those performed by the shore party team/

group in the BSA. An HST performs the following

tasks: 

l Prepares, maintains, and marks landing sites. 

l Removes or marks obstacles. 

l Erects wind direction indicators, (e.g., wind socks),

panels, and range lights (used during night

operations). 

l Establishes and maintains the required

communications. This includes communicating

with supporting helicopters, Tailcoats, and the

Navy control organization. 

l Reconnoiters and selects areas for supply dumps

and other combat service support installations, HST

command post, casualty evacuation stations, and

defensive positions that provide landing zone

security. 

l Directs and controls helicopter operations and

support units within the landing zone. 

l Unloads helicopters (including external lifts). 

l Loads cargo nets, pallets, and slings on board

helicopters. 

l Loads EPWs and casualties on board helicopters.

l Establishes dumps. 

l Issues supplies. 

l Maintains supply records (i.e., supplies received,

issued, and available). 

l Maintains the helicopterborne unit’s basic load at

the prescribed level. 

l Passes requests for replenishment (i.e., basic load,

supplies not contained in the HLZ dumps, on-call

serials) to the helicopterborne unit TACLOG that is

collocated with the helicopter direction center.

l Provides personnel and vehicle ground control. 

l Maintains a situation map and information center. 
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 5-7

l Provides emergency helicopter repair and refueling

as required. 

l Performs fire-fighting duties in the landing zone. 

Ship-to-Shore Movement 

Embarkation

If the helicopterborne unit is embarked aboard

several helicopter transport ships, the HST may also

be spread loaded. 

Landing

The HST is formed into heli-teams for the ship-toshore movement. Heli-teams and their equipment

normally land in scheduled waves. The position of

HST serials in the scheduled waves is determined by

the landing plan and they normally land in the

following sequence: 

l Advance party.

l Helicopter control element. 

l HST headquarters (1st echelon). 

l Landing zone platoon (1st echelon). 

l HST headquarters (2d echelon). 

l Landing zone platoon (2d echelon). 

l HST equipment. 

Operations Ashore

HST operations ashore parallel those of the shore

party team. Communications are established as soon

as possible between the HST in the landing zone,

Navy control agency, supporting TACLOG,

helicopterborne unit command section, subsequent

helicopter units arriving in the landing zone, adjacent

landing zones, and, when a CSS buildup is planned,

the LFSP commander. Emergency supplies and troop

serials required out of sequence are requested by the

helicopterborne unit through the HST commander.

The complications of a helicopter assault does not

allow the latitude of selection inherent in waterborne

assault procedures, and changes to the scheduled

movement of units ashore are kept to an absolute

minimum. Typically, one HST supports a BLT in a

landing zone. 

Organization and Function of 

the Helicopter Landing Zone 

The HLZ is organized to effectively accomplish

assigned helicopter support tasks. The organization of

the landing zone is generally the same as the

development of the BSA. However, the helicopter

control section replaces the naval beach party within

the HLZ. The equipment available for use is limited

to that transported into the area by helicopter. Figure

5-3, on page 5-8, illustrates a layout of an HLZ. 

Control and Maintenance Facilities

The advance party establishes the landing zone’s

helicopter control facilities. After the HST is

established, the HST’s helicopter control section

assumes control functions. Personnel provide

emergency refueling. If major repairs are required,

maintenance personnel and equipment are flown into

the landing zone from the helicopter transport ship. 

Movement of Supplies

Within the landing zone, troops, equipment, and

supplies must be kept clear of the landing area. The

movement of supplies is addressed in detail during

the planning process. Available transportation is

limited; therefore, helicopters place cargo as close to

the terminal point as possible. Landing zones must

have clear approaches. Dump sites must be adjacent

to the landing zone. Adequate equipment and

personnel must be available to move incoming

supplies rapidly to the dumpsite. Prepackaged

supplies are kept within the weight limitations of the

HLZ’s cargo handling equipment. 

Port Operations

A port is any place accessible to ships by seacoast,

navigable river or inland waterway that allows the

discharge or receipt of cargo. A port operation is the

safe, expeditious loading and unloading of

equipment, supplies, cargo, and personnel. Port

operations involve receiving, processing, and staging

of passengers; receiving, moving, storing, and
5-8 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

marshalling of cargo; loading and unloading of ships;

and lashing, bracing, and shoring of cargo on board

ships. Port operations are conducted in an

environment that allows emphasis to be placed on

safety of the operation rather than the defense of the

port and/or safety of personnel and ships. 

The unit tasked with the landing support mission in a

port operation is the POG. A POG consists of a shore

party group and a beach party group just like the

LFSP. The port authority’s rules and regulations and

standing operating procedures guide the POG in its

operations. Close coordination among the port

operations control group, port authority, and the

deploying/redeploying unit is necessary to ensure a

smooth throughput of cargo. 

Organization

The POG is task-organized around a nucleus from the

beach and terminal operations company, TSB. The

company provides landing support specialists (MOS

0481) to assist units preparing for deployment/

redeployment. Unit needs and the cargoes moving

through the port determine the POG’s task

organization. Personnel from the unit moving through

the port usually augment the POG. If required,

additional units, civilian agencies, contracted support

Figure 5-3. Sample Helicopter Landing Zone.
Transportation Operations_________________________________________________________________________________ 5-9

(longshoremen and stevedores), and/or host nation

support also can augment the POG. 

The landing support units that should be in operation

during port operations are, at a minimum, the—

l Port command and control center. 

l Medical section. 

l Preventive medicine section. 

l Military police section. 

l MHE section.

l Maintenance contact teams.

l Communications teams. 

l Bracing and shoring team. 

l Staging area coordination teams. 

Tasks and Responsibilities 

Port Operations Group

The POG’s tasks and responsibilities include—

l Providing technical advice to deploying/

redeploying units.

l Providing MHE from the pier staging area to the

ship/port crane lifting area or from the ship/port

crane drop area to the pier staging area. 

l Providing communications for the port operations

control group. 

l Supervising loading/unloading of gear, agricultural

wash-down of tactical equipment in coordination

with unit personnel, customs/agricultural officials,

and preventive medicine technicians. 

l Assisting the loading/unloading unit with the

staging of equipment, supplies, and cargo to

expedite the loading/staging plan if required. 

l Ensuring proper procedures are followed in

accordance with JP 3-02.2. 

Deploying/Redeploying Unit

The deploying/redeploying unit’s tasks and

responsibilities include—

l Providing personnel to assist the POG as needed for

guard, lashing, bracing, and/or shoring teams.

l Providing embarkation/load plans. 

l Providing material for bracing and shoring. 

l Coordinating with the POG on embarkation/

debarkation requirements. 

l Ensuring equipment meets transportation

specifications per JP 3-02.2. 

Planning Considerations

Planning is the key to a successful port operation.

Planning considerations include—

l Estimating quantities and types of bracing and

shoring material needed. 

l Training, special equipment, and if additional time

is required to load the landing craft. 

l Ensuring adequate lighterage required to load ships

away from the pier. 

l Loading of ships from pier side with the ramp down

or with ramp up. 

Special considerations for the use of MSC or MSCchartered ships include the following: 

l Coordination requirements with MTMC and MSC. 

l The use of civilian longshoremen and stevedores. 

l Special needs/restrictions when using MHE aboard

MSC ships. 

l Dunnage requirements for the ship’s ramp. 

l Medical support required at the port. 

l Vehicle fuel restrictions/requirements. 

l Special lifting devices and equipment (i.e., slings,

spreader bars). 

l Special handling and port regulations for loading

ammunition aboard ships. 

l ISO container operations. 

l Military and commercial transportation

requirements at the port. 

l Billeting and messing requirements for the POG

and for those awaiting movement. 

l Head and refuse services. 

l Wash-down facilities for agricultural and customs

inspections. 

l Maintenance contact teams. 

l Traffic control in and around the port. 
5-10 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

l Access to commercial communications. 

l Rail operations at the port. 

l Loading, unloading, staging, spills, transportation,

and certification of hazardous material. 

l Personnel requirements. 

Coordination Requirements

Coordinating instructions for a specific operation

should be obtained from the port authority/unit

embarkation officer and ship’s representative (if

available). Information is compiled and issued to all

arriving/departing units and activities and should

contain, at a minimum, the following: 

l Ships’ docking and scheduled departure times. 

l Staging plan.

l Port’s hours of operation. 

l Civilian longshoremen/stevedores hours. 

l MHE support available. 

l Lighting requirements. 

l Billeting and messing available. 

l Communications available. 

l Augmentation (drivers, lashing gangs). 

l Transportation coordination. 

l Medical corpsmen. 

l Maintenance contact teams required (this includes

wreckers and refueler support). 

l MPs. The POG should coordinate with the agencies

and organizations listed in table 5-1.

Execution

After the initial planning phase of a port operation has

been conducted and guidance has been given

concerning the operation, the POG moves to the port

24 hours prior to the deploying unit’s or ship’s arrival.

During this 24-hour period, the POG ensures all POG

teams are functional; staging areas are prepared for

equipment, vehicles, and cargo; MHE is operational;

lines of communications are functioning; and

personnel are reminded of local safety procedures and

crane and vehicles hand signals. 

Rail Movement Operations 

The mission of a rail movement operation is to move

personnel and equipment over the existing rail system

to their destination. This destination is usually the site

where further movement can be accomplished (i.e.,

pier or airfield) or where owning units can deploy to

their areas of responsibility. A rail movement

operation involves loading, blocking, bracing, and tiedown of equipment aboard flatcars and other special

types of rail cars. Moving units by rail requires

detailed planning and preparation by the unit being

transported. Rail movement operations are divided

into a planning and preparation phase and an

execution phase. Coordination is necessary among the

moving unit, the traffic management office, the rail

facility, the movement control center, and the rail

operations team. 

Table 5-1. POG Points of Contact.

Agency Services Provided

Navy Port Control Ship’s docking and departure times. 

Ship’s berth. Instream loading and 

unloading.

Ship’s Combat Cargo Officer Sequence of loading and unloading. 

Cargo handling equipment (MHE, 

special slings, etc.). Ship’s loading 

characteristics. 

Group Embarkation Overall plan for loading and

unloading. Special lift requirements. 

Team Embarkation/MAGTF 

Embarkation Officer

Copy of load plans and sequence of 

load.

Port Authority Security. Use of port cranes. Use of 

port facilities. Staging areas. Traffic 

patterns.

Movement Control Center Update on movement/changes in 

schedules. Contact teams. Required 

reports.

Navy Cargo Handling and 

Port Group

Responsibilities and coordination. 

Sequence for loading/unloading. 

Logistic requirements.

Military Traffic Management 

Command

Responsibilities and coordination. 

Loading/unloading summary. Special 

requirements.
Transportation Operations_______________________________________________________________________________ 5-11

Organization

The rail operations team is task-organized around a

nucleus from the beach and terminal operations

company, TSB. The needs of the units moving through

the rail yard determine the rail operations team’s task

organization. Liaison/interpreter elements may be

required if conducting rail movement operations in a

foreign country. The organizational structure should

provide, at a minimum, the following sections: 

l Command/administration. 

l Operations. 

l Materials handling equipment. 

l Motor transport. 

l Traffic control. 

l Communications. 

l Loading/blocking and bracing teams. 

l Maintenance, supply, and medical. 

l Rail inspection. 

l Security. 

l Host nation liaison/interpreter if required. 

Tasks and Responsibilities 

Rail Operations Team

The rail operations team’s mission is to plan for,

coordinate, and supervise the loading and unloading of

rail cars in support of deploying/redeploying units.

The rail operations team establishes itself at the

railhead to coordinate and ensure the throughput of the

deploying unit. In conjunction with the deploying unit,

the rail operations team plans and executes the staging,

movement to the railhead, and the departure of moving

units. The rail operations team’s duties include— 

l Providing technical rail loading/unloading

expertise. 

l Providing technical data on rail cars. 

l Determining blocking and bracing material

requirements. 

l Computing rail car requirements based on unit

movement data.

l Conducting the receiving inspection on the

serviceability of rail cars. 

l Providing an inspection team to ensure the quality

of blocking and bracing. 

l Providing a GBL. 

l Checking and obtaining route clearances for

overweight or outsized items. 

l Training of personnel. 

Deploying Unit

The deploying unit is responsible for—

l Loading/unloading the rail cars. 

l Meeting the unit movement date. 

l Preparing for movement. 

l Planning, supervising, and executing movement

from unit staging area to call forward area to rail

siding. 

l Purchasing and providing material to be used in

blocking and bracing equipment. 

l Identifying unique restrictions or requirements of

selected equipment. 

l Processing of personnel. 

Planning Considerations

The planning and preparation phase can be further

subdivided into preplanning, detailed planning, and

preparation of equipment. The Association of

American Railroads loading rules are used as a guide

during planning. The unit movement officer should

use the planning phase of rail movement operations to

validate and confirm rail equipment requirements,

establish/verify timetables and schedules, and simplify

the load as much as possible. 

Preplanning

During the planning and preparation phase, the unit

movement officer should—

l List all equipment to be transported (including

loaded dimensions and loaded weight). 

l Establish liaison with rail authorities/traffic

management office representatives and rail

operations team to identify rail equipment

available. 

l Determine capabilities of rail sidings to be used. 
5-12 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Detailed Planning

During the detailed planning phase, the specific rules

listed in the Association of American Railroads’

loading rules and the guidance provided by the traffic

management office and the rail operations team must

be followed. The unit movement officer and the rail

operations team must work closely during planning for

the unit’s movement by rail. The following concepts

are used for guidance: 

l Avoid mixing tracked and wheeled vehicles on the

same car (higher tariffs are charged for this

configuration). 

l Use 100,000 pounds as a load limit on all cars. 

l Limit width to 100 inches, if possible, because of

clearances. 

l Know height restrictions and coordinate alternative

transportation for equipment that is too tall. 

l Know the different types and capacities of rail cars. 

l Sequence the vehicles to be loaded. 

l Template the load. Establish a call forward plan. 

l Plan for unloading: Is there a spur at the final

destination? ramps? MHE? 

Preparation of Equipment

During this phase, the deploying unit must prepare all

equipment and vehicles for loading in accordance with

established guidance. The deploying unit ensures that

all personnel involved in the movement know the

sequence of movement from the unit staging area to

the call forward area and then to the rail siding. 

Coordination Requirements

Without coordination, equipment can easily be lost or

sent on the wrong trains. Coordination helps prevent

confusion that can easily lead to injuries or damage to

equipment. 

Execution

The execution phase is the culmination of all planning

and preparation. The actual loading and bracing of the

equipment on the rail cars takes time, and safety

should be a prime concern. 

Motor Transport Operations

Marine Forces may be employed in areas of extremes

in weather and terrain. These areas encompass more

than half the earth’s land surface and are made up of

arctic-like areas, mountains, deserts, jungles, and

flooded areas. Additionally, improved technology and

dramatic increase of mobile forces worldwide require

the Marine Corps to be prepared to conduct mobile

operations consistent with current maneuver concepts.

In support of mobile maneuver forces in areas of

extreme weather or terrain, normal motor transport

procedures will require modification to be effective.

For convoy operations, refer to MCRP 4-11.3F,

Convoy Operations Handbook.

Jungle Operations

Jungle terrain includes areas of tropical rain forest and

secondary growth that vary in locale from mountains

to low-lying swampy plains. It lacks fully developed

LOCs. Jungle terrain and climate limit foot and

vehicular movement, observation, fields of fire,

communications, and control. There are few roads and

trails in jungle areas and their use is limited to light

trucks or tracked vehicles. Roads usually have to be

constructed, but the dense vegetation, unstable soils,

poor drainage, and general lack of building materials

make road building difficult. Jungle roads and trails

are overgrown rapidly unless they are in constant use.

Extensive reconnaissance and/or clearing may be

necessary to locate and put roads to use. 

Planning for Jungle Operations

Light vehicles provide greater utility when operating

on jungle trails and roads. Additionally, the loadbearing capacity of the soil in most jungle areas,

especially during the rainy season, is quite low.

Extensive engineer effort may be anticipated to

maintain any roads that carry heavy vehicles.

Distances may be short, but operating speeds will be

low; therefore, movement planning must compensate

for this limiting factor. During and after rains, roads

will quickly become impassable if subject to heavy

traffic flow. Movements in hostile areas require

effective security measures to guard against ambush.

Seasonal weather conditions will affect all aspects of
Transportation Operations_______________________________________________________________________________ 5-13

motor transport operations. Become familiar with the

area weather and prepare for the worst. 

Driving Techniques

Normal driving techniques are employed in jungle

operations. However, operators must be oriented to the

jungle environment; they must be on guard to avoid

areas their vehicles are incapable of passing and the

possibility of flooding in low areas and along

watercourses during heavy rains. 

On unimproved roads, except in high mine threat areas,

vehicles should not follow in the preceding vehicle’s tire

tracks. Doing so leads to the development of ruts,

drainage problems, and reduced trafficability. 

The reduced visibility that is characteristic of jungle

roads requires operators to be alert and prepare for

defensive action against enemy threats and road hazards. 

Operators watch for overheating of vehicles as a result

of prolonged low speed operation or radiator blockage

from mud or vegetation. 

Desert Operations

Deserts are semiarid and arid regions containing a

wide variety of soils in varying relief. Desert

characteristics include extreme temperatures, dust

storms, lack of water and vegetation, bright sunshine

and moonlight, mirages, and lack of roads. The

dynamic nature of desert operations, and the large

areas in which they may be conducted, necessitate

some modification of landing force organization and

equipment to provide for increased mobility. Desert

operations can be most efficiently conducted when the

landing force is 100 percent mobile. Planners should

be concerned with integrating available motor

transport, amphibious assault vehicles, light armor

vehicles, tanks, self-propelled weapons, and

aircraft into a combination that will best support the

landing force. 

Planning for Desert Operations 

Operations in the desert involve long distances and are

conducted over terrain that channels motor transport

movements. 

There are few developed roads and the similarity of

terrain features makes cross-country navigation

difficult. Therefore, motor transport personnel must

have maps and be proficient in land navigation

techniques. Marines should receive training with the

precision lightweight global positioning system (GPS)

receiver (PLGR) and use its capabilities to the fullest

while navigating in the desert. 

Vehicles should be well dispersed during movements

and at halts as a defense against air and artillery attacks. 

Camouflage materials should be carried on vehicles

since there will normally be little natural concealment. 

The desert climate will reduce the ability of personnel

to perform physically. In some cases, especially over

the long term, it will be counter-productive to attempt

heavy labor except during the most favorable times of

the day or night. Maintenance of vehicles exposed to

the sun in hot desert areas must be limited to essential

tasks. Shelter may be required to provide shade.

Maintenance activities may have to be scheduled

during hours of darkness. 

Vehicles with poor cross-country mobility should not

be employed in the desert. Consideration should be

made to travel at night as to avoid visual detection

from low flying aircraft and ground forces. All

Marines should use every available tool and receive

training in night driving techniques (i.e., blackout

lights, night vision goggles [NVGs], and PLGRs). 

Driving Techniques

Driving in intense heat over long distances and for

extended periods of time will be monotonous and

tiring. High-speed operation on desert roads will

require operators to remain alert in spite of the

monotony. Each vehicle in a convoy will raise a cloud

of dust, which will obscure the vision of the following

operator, therefore, vehicle spacing should be

increased to the maximum extent possible consistent

with convoy security. The following techniques

should be used:

l Wear goggles while driving open hatched vehicles

regardless of visibility. Clear-lens goggles should

be worn at night unless NVGs are used. Bandannas
5-14 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

or surgical masks should be worn to avoid breathing

heavy dust. 

l Maintain a dust distance of twice the normal

interval, or as specified in the unit SOP to allow

time for the dust to dissipate. When driving on

extremely dusty roads or trails and, if traffic

conditions permit, a staggered column formation

can be used with vehicles alternately driving on the

left and right side of the road. 

l Turn on lights to increase visibility. Overtaking and

passing slower vehicles should be accomplished

with great care when dust obscures the roadway and

possible oncoming vehicles under dusty conditions. 

l Remain alert and adjust speed to keep engine

revolutions per minute within the safe operating

range. Fuel consumption will increase dramatically.

Although the desert may appear to be flat, gradually

rising terrain will often make it impossible to

operate at highest gear range and at the proper

engine revolutions per minute. A strong headwind

will compound this problem as will a covering of

loose sand on the roadway. 

l Drive on sand at night or early morning when the

sand is damp and traction is better. However, this is

not always the case especially with the newer type

military tires with closer tread design. Damp sand

packs between the tread in the grooves of these tires

resulting in virtually no surface traction. While

driving in loose sand, the vehicle tends to get mired

down. The best thing to do is use low transfer and

low gears to keep vehicle engine and transmission

from over heating. It is best to reduce vehicle tire

pressure to the recommended tire pressure listed in

the vehicles technical manuals for that specific

vehicle. Vehicle speed should be reduced when tire

pressure is reduced. Lower tire pressure at higher

speeds increase tire sidewall heat and will increase

the possibility of tire failure. The lower tire pressure

does not affect vehicles equipped with radial tires or

central tire inflation system if the maximum speed

listed in the operator’s manual is not exceeded. 

l Vehicle loads must be evenly distributed. All-wheel

drive should be used where possible to prevent the

vehicle becoming mired down. 

Mountain Operations

In mountain areas, conditions of ground and climate

require modification in landing force and motor

transport organization, training, equipment, and

tactics. Mountains cause compartmentalization of

military operations and present great difficulties to

movement and maneuver. The weather is

characterized by rapid changes in temperature

accompanied by high wind fog, mist, rain or snow.

Road nets are limited and the construction of new

roads and trails is difficult and time-consuming.

Even when road nets are available, the enemy may

hinder movement by destroying bridges, chartered

sections of the road along steep slopes or blocking

defiles with slides of snow, rocks or timber.

Vehicles are used as far forward as possible, then

supplies are moved forward on animals or porters in

steeper, more inaccessible country. Within densityaltitude limitations, helicopters may be used for

moving equipment and supplies. Airdrop of

supplies and equipment may be necessary when

flying conditions permit.

Planning for Mountain Operations 

Specific knowledge of road characteristics is

especially important in mountains. Grades, bridge

capacities, tunnels, and the radius of turns may limit

the types of vehicles that can be employed, as well as

the loads they can carry. 

Seasonal weather patterns of the AO should be

reviewed. At high altitudes, freezing rain and snow

can be expected over a major portion of the year. The

motor transport officer should evaluate potential

weather conditions and prepare for the worst. 

Unless a well-developed road net is available, heavy

vehicles and certain truck-trailer combinations may be

useless in the mountains. 

Recovery of disabled vehicles will be difficult and

may completely halt the flow of traffic. Before

operation checks, maintenance and inspection of

vehicles prior to dispatch must be closely monitored. 

Driving Techniques

Marine Corps vehicles are well-suited to operating in

mountainous regions due to their high power-toweight ratios, low-gear ratios, and relatively short

wheelbase. Operators should have no difficulty in

operating vehicles on the steep grades, sharp curves,
Transportation Operations_______________________________________________________________________________ 5-15

and narrow roadways if vehicles are checked for

mechanical fitness prior to being dispatched, loaded

within prescribed limits, and driven skillfully with full

concern for road and weather conditions. 

When approaching a steep upgrade, especially when

loaded, the operator should make a judgment as to

whether the high-gear or low-gear range will be

required. Normally, the lowest range will be used and

the transfer case should be shifted to low range before

the vehicle speed drops below that prescribed by the

respective technical manual. This will increase

chances of topping the hill at best possible speed and

with the engine operating at maximum torque speed.

This early shift of the transfer case into lower gear

range will often avoid having to shift into first gear at

low speeds when driving manual shift vehicles. On

vehicles with an automatic transmission, it will

prevent overheating of the transmission fluid. 

When approaching a downgrade, the operator should

make a judgment as to what gear should be used to

obtain the best retarding effect from the engine.

Brakes should be tested, brake air pressure monitored,

and the vehicle speed reduced to a rate consistent with

road and weather conditions. In the event that brakes

fail and the engine retarding capability is exceeded,

emergency stop procedures should be executed

immediately including, if necessary, ditching the

vehicle on the uphill side of the road. Attempting to

ride it out on a runaway vehicle adds to the

chances of serious injury and endangers other

vehicles and personnel. 

Cold Weather Operations

Operations in arctic and sub-arctic regions of the

world require a landing force and its transportation

elements to use special equipment and special

techniques to operate successfully. Deep snow and

extreme cold are also found in the north temperate

zone and at high altitudes in all zones. The areas in

which these conditions exist range from forested to

relatively barren regions and vary extensively in

population. Offensive and defensive operations in

these areas are conducted as in other climates.

However, operations require greater CSS, more time

to accomplish, more attention to detail, and more

effective leadership. The considerations of special

techniques and equipment must be included in the

conduct of such operations. 

Planning for Cold Weather Operations

In-depth planning for motor transport operations is

necessary and must provide for reduced capability of

vehicles and motor transport units. 

Special training for operators in cold weather driving

and vehicle maintenance is essential when providing

motor transport services to units engaged in cold

weather warfare. 

Routes with easily identifiable checkpoints should be

used. Checkpoints require pronounced vertical

characteristics, since drifting snow covers contours

and terrain features rapidly. An assistant operator

should be assigned to each vehicle. Driving in heavy

snow and deep cold is fatiguing and demands

increased driver concentration that makes periodic

relief necessary. 

All vehicles must have proper tires, chains, tow

devices, and snow shovels. 

Items likely to be needed first should be loaded last. 

Low temperatures require increased maintenance

personnel, facilities, and special equipment. Lowtemperature lubricants and fuels must be provided.

Shelter from the wind and intense cold is required

for performance of any but the simplest

maintenance tasks.

Motor vehicle operators and crew must be equipped

with and required to carry cold weather clothing and

equipment in their vehicles for survival in case of

accident or breakdown. They must be trained to

survive in the cold. 

Units engaged in cold weather warfare require

additional vehicles, and vehicles are less efficient for

the following reasons: 

l Organic vehicles of the units have reduced

capability thereby placing increased demands on

support units. 

l Vehicles require extra time and special attention for

starting at low temperatures. 
5-16 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

l The number of troops that can be transported in

vehicles will be reduced due to bulk of clothing and

additional gear carried. The quantity of individual

and organizational equipment required to survive in

cold climates makes it necessary for the unit to use

a greater number of vehicles to transport the unit

load. 

l Operating speeds are reduced to accommodate

hazardous driving conditions. 

l Fuel consumption is increased by 25 to 50 percent

due to operation in lower gears, increased idle time

to warm running gear, and frequent starting and

stopping due to hazardous road conditions. 

l Frequency of accidents and enroute delays are

increased by hazardous road conditions. 

l Bad weather conditions and fatigue of cargo

handlers will increase loading and unloading times. 

The capability of motor transport units to provide

increased support will be influenced by the existence

of the same degrading factors enumerated above for

organic transport operations. In addition it must be

expected that the availability of vehicles for service

will deteriorate as a function of the duration and the

intensity of cold weather. 

The level of maintenance of the road net in heavy

snow areas will have strong influence on the support

capabilities of the motor transport units, especially in

performing resupply missions. Snow clearing must be

planned for and equipment must be available to

support motor transport units. 

Tactical employment of infantry units will require

them to operate off the established road net. Infantry

units require support of marginal terrain vehicles to

retain their mobility despite the heavy additional loads

imposed by clothing, shelter, fuel to heat shelters, and

increased quantity of rations. The vehicles, in turn,

increase supply and maintenance needs of the units. 

Maintained Road Net

Convoy operations may be carried out normally,

except for reduced speeds and increased gaps between

vehicles. Convoy speed is adjusted dependent upon

the road surface conditions along various sections of

the route or changes in weather conditions. Vehicle

operators are trained to keep the other vehicles in the

group in sight and assist if a vehicle becomes disabled. 

Unmaintained Road Net

On roads not fully maintained by snow removal

operations, vehicles in the 1 1/4 -ton class can operate

at reduced speeds in snow depths up to 6 inches.

Vehicles in the 5-ton payload class can operate at

reduced speeds in snow up to 12 inches deep and

under emergency conditions with full payload in snow

depths of 20 inches with fully trained and experienced

operators. Use of non-powered trailers or other towed

loads should be avoided in heavy snow conditions. 

Ice

Frozen lakes and rivers are excellent supply routes. Ice

routes must be selected and tested for ice thickness

and structural integrity. Even amphibious vehicles

may not be able to extricate themselves from an ice

hole (see table 5-2). 

Oversnow Vehicles

Operation of oversnow logistics support vehicles

require special procedures to ensure maximum use of

every vehicle. 

The following principles apply: 

l Use prepared and marked trails whenever possible. 

l Dispatch vehicles in small groups, never singly. 

l Exercise positive control measures to monitor the

location of every vehicle operating off trails.

l Train operators to be proficient in land navigation

when operating cross-country. 

l Top off fuel tanks when dispatching a vehicle to

ensure sufficient range for the return trip. 

l Minimize operations on cleared roads. 

l Tow a sled rather then overload the vehicle in deep

snow. 

l Observe care when transporting troops. Closed

oversnow vehicles are prone to entrapment of

carbon monoxide. 
Transportation Operations_______________________________________________________________________________ 5-17

Mobile Operations

Maneuver is the movement of forces to secure or

retain positional advantage over an enemy. The GCE

commander may require motor transport assets in

addition to amphibious vehicles, armored vehicles,

and helicopters to achieve the ground battlefield

mobility required by the tactical situation. 

Employment

The continuous requirements for timely concentration

of units and material will often demand short notice

movement of forces and major shifts in movement

direction. Motor transport units should be attached to

maneuver units during mobile operations to provide

unity of command that will increase responsiveness

and flexibility. 

Operations

During these types of operations, trucks will be used to

move infantry companies and their equipment rapidly

to dismount points to continue the attack on foot. As

objectives are seized, trucks will be called forward

under the leadership of motor transport leaders and

infantry units will remount the trucks and continue the

attack in an effort to maintain the momentum of the

attack. Traditional convoy techniques may not be

employed under these conditions. Motor transport unit

leaders will be required to advise and assist infantry

unit leaders in developing plans including movement

formations, movement techniques, and primary and

alternate routes to objectives and dismount points.

Motor transport leaders will also be required to advise

infantry leaders on the maintenance of vehicles. 

Mechanized Operations 

Mechanized operations are conducted by infantry units

mounted in amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs),

supported by armor, along with a full combined arms

team of combat support and CSS elements.

Mechanized operations will be characterized by rapid,

long-distance movements and requirements for great

amounts of supplies. In order to sustain mechanized

operations and maintain the momentum of the attack,

logistics trains will be formed for the maneuver units.

Unlike tank and artillery units, infantry units do not

have organic medium trucks that will be required in

the logistic trains. 

Employment

Mechanized operations will be fast moving and will

often move well forward of friendly units or in

unanticipated directions to take advantage of a tactical

situation. Motor transport units should be attached to

infantry battalions to meet the lift requirements of the

logistic trains. 

Operations

Motor transport unit leaders should retain tactical

command of their trucks while under the command of

the commander of the logistic train. In this role, the

motor transport leader also advises and assists the

logistic commander in the planning of convoy

procedures and movement routes for the logistic train

and routes for resupply of forward combat units.

Table 5-2. Ice Load-Bearing Capacities.

Load Type

Gross 

Weight

(tons)

Minimum Ice 

Thickness 

(cm/in)

Minimum 

Distance 

Between Loads 

(meters/yards)

Marine on Skis or 

Snowshoes 0.1 3/1.2 5/5.5

Marine on Foot 0.1 5/2 5/5.5

Infantry 

(column of 2) 7.6/3 7.3/8

Infantry 

(column of 4) 10/4 10/11

Wheeled Vehicle 

Loads up to: 3.5 23/9 15/16.5

6 30/12 20/22

10 40/16 25.6/28

15 61/24 30/33

Tracked Vehicles 

Loads up to: 3.5 20/8 15/16.5

10 30/12 20/22

12.5 40/16 25.6/28

25 61/24 40/44

45 81/32 50/55

60 81/32 60/66
APPENDIX A. BEACH AND LANDING SITE MARKERS
A-2 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3
Transportation Operations________________________________________________________________________________ A-3
A-4 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3
Transportation Operations________________________________________________________________________________ A-5
APPENDIX B. DEPARTURE AIRFIELD

CONTROL GROUP CHECKLIST

The following is a checklist designed to assist the DACG in the performance of its mission.

The following tasks should not be overlooked during planning. The tasks listed are not all

inclusive, but are intended as a guide.

l Brief personnel engaged in DACG operations.

l Establish required communications.

l Secure parking and flow plan from TALCE.

l Brief unit commanders on vehicle flow plan.

l Ensure that sufficient load team personnel with

pusher vehicles are available.

l Coordinate with the TALCE to ensure that

personnel and cargo are guided to the proper

aircraft.

l Inform liaison officers to changes to movement

plan.

l Maintain status of arrival, departure, and loading.

l Obtain airfield diagrams for guides.

l Ensure that communications are operational

between all elements of the DACG.

l Ensure that support equipment, wreckers, POLs,

food service, lighting, first aid, weighing devices,

and maintenance contact teams are available.

l Coordinate with the MAGTF operations officer.

l Coordinate with the deploying units’ movement

officer.

l Coordinate with the call forward officer.

l Issue special instructions to alerted aircraft loads.

l Receive instructions from the MAGTF/deploying

unit operations officer.

l Inspect all loads upon receipt from the alert holding

area.

l Assist in preparing, inspecting, and making

corrections as necessary to passenger and cargo

manifests.

l Provide guides to escort planeloads through the

loading ramp area to designated plane sites or

release points.

l Inform MAGTF/deploying unit operations officer

of problems affecting movement schedules.

l Coordinate with the TALCE to ensure aircraft are

parked and assigned numbers in accordance with

the movement plan.

l Coordinate MHE with the TALCE.

l Unload personnel/equipment from aborted aircraft

and guide to replacement aircraft or holding area.

l Ensure all personnel involved in the movement

operation are briefed on safety.

l Ensure all incidents/accidents are investigated and

reported.

l Ensure that personal and related services are

provided by the base/installation for deploying

unit(s).

l Ensure logistics requirements are met.

l Provide deploying unit(s) with points of contact for

logistics support.

l Secure and supervise facilities for the DACG and

deploying unit(s).

l Compile pertinent deployment and movement data.

l Coordinate reports required by higher headquarters/

movement control centers with the TALCE.
APPENDIX C. ARRIVAL AIRFIELD

CONTROL GROUP CHECKLIST

The following is a checklist designed to assist the AACG in the performance of its mission.

The following tasks should not be overlooked during planning. The tasks listed are not all

inclusive, but are intended as a guide.

l Brief all personnel engaged in AACG operations.

l Establish required communications.

l Secure parking and flow plan from TALCE.

l Ensure that sufficient offload team personnel with

pusher vehicles are available.

l Coordinate with the TALCE to ensure that

personnel and cargo are cleared from arriving

aircraft and guided to release point or holding area.

l Maintain status of the arrival and departure of the

deploying unit’s personnel and equipment at the

arrival airfield.

l Ensure that dunnage/shoring materials are retained

by the deploying unit.

l Coordinate with the MAGTF operations officer.

l Coordinate with the deploying units’ movement

officer.

l Inform MAGTF/deploying unit operations officer

of problems affecting movement schedules.

l Coordinate MHE with the DACG and the TALCE.

l Ensure all personnel involved in the movement

operation are briefed on safety.

l Ensure all incidents/accidents are investigated and

reported.

l Ensure that personal and related services are

provided by the base/installation for deploying

unit(s).

l Ensure logistics requirements are met.

l Provide deploying unit(s) with points of contact for

logistics support.

l Compile pertinent deployment and movement data.

l Coordinate reports required by higher headquarters/

movement control centers with the TALCE. 
APPENDIX D. DEPLOYING UNIT AND D/AACG PLANNING AND

PREPARATION PHASE REQUIREMENTS

The following is a checklist designed to assist the DACG in the performance of its mission.

The following tasks should not be overlooked during planning. The tasks listed are not all

inclusive, but are intended as a guide.

Deploying Unit Tasks

l Identify the number of personnel to be moved.

l Identify the type and quantity of cargo and

equipment to be moved.

l Establish priorities for arrival.

l Establish required liaison.

l Identify the cargoes or equipment that require

special handling based on shipping configuration or

fragile/hazardous characteristics.

l Request technical assistance.

l Prepare equipment and train personnel.

l Request staff assistance in administrative support,

unit movement training, air movement planning,

logistics, and maintenance support and standard

safety practices in and around aircraft.

l Assign unit movement or embarkation officer.

l Develop traffic plan for movement to the departure

airfield.

l Establish trained load teams to assist the D/AACG.

l Identify foreign border clearance requirements if

applicable.

l Enter force deployment requirements into the Joint

Planning and Execution System (JOPES) to

accurately reflect lift requirements and deployment

priorities.

l Review inspection procedures and documentation

requirements for hazardous cargo.

l Coordinate procedures for transporting individual

weapons, ammunition, and equipment.

l Determine shoring requirements, ensure its

availability prior to loading, and establish

destination disposition procedures.

l Construct 463L pallets in accordance with FMFM

4-6, Movements of Units in Air Force Aircraft.

l Prepare vehicles and equipment in accordance with

FMFM 4-6.

DACG Tasks

l Determine the number of personnel to be moved.

l Determine the type and quantity of cargo and

equipment to be moved.

l Determine the timeframe for loading.

l Confirm the location of airfield(s) and marshaling

area(s) with the installation or base commander and

the deploying unit.

l Determine available departure airfield logistics/

administrative facilities.

l Develop DACG organization structure and staffing.

l Determine user support requirements (MHE,

security, lighting, fuels, etc.)

l Establish liaison with the deploying unit and other

support activities.

l Coordinate with the TALCE to establish DACG

training requirements.

l Coordinate foreign border clearance requirements

and procedures if necessary.

l Obtain unit deployment list (UDL) of unit cargo

and equipment to be loaded. Identify any problems

that will affect loading or require special attention

to the TALCE.

l Validate shoring requirements.

l Ensure 463L pallet dunnage availability.

l Determine requirements for vehicle cargo restraint

devices based on deployed unit input.
D-2 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

AACG Tasks

l Coordinate with TALCE prior to arrival of aircraft

to determine support requirements.

l Ascertain the unloading timeframe.

l Determine location of arrival airfield(s) and holding

area(s).

l Determine AACG logistics/administrative facilities

available at the arrival airfield.

l Develop AACG organizational structure and staff.

l Establish liaison with deploying unit, TALCE, and

other supporting activities.

l Coordinate with the TALCE to establish AACG

training requirements.

l Confirm coordination contacts.

l Obtain UDL of unit cargo and equipment to be

loaded. Identify any problems that will affect

loading or require special attention to the TALCE.

l Finalize AACG organization to include aircraft load

teams and training requirements.
APPENDIX E. DEPLOYING UNIT AND D/AACG 

REQUIREMENTS DURING THE EXECUTION PHASE

Deploying Unit Tasks 

(At the Departure Airfield)

l Establish liaison with the DACG and other

activities.

l Conduct final preparation of vehicles, cargo, and

equipment in accordance with FMFM 4-6.

l Ensure required shoring is on-hand.

l Prepare cargo and passenger manifests in

accordance with FMFM 4-6.

l Assemble personnel, cargo, and equipment in

aircraft loads per established load plans.

l Appoint plane team commanders and brief on

responsibilities.

l Pass control of unit aircraft loads to DACG at the

alert holding area at the time specified by the

DACG.

l Correct discrepancies identified by the DACG and

TALCE during Joint Inspection.

l Provide specialized help in loading the aircraft if

required.

l Retain one copy of final passenger/cargo manifests.

l At the arrival airfield, the deploying unit will—

n Provide assistance to the loadmaster.

n Receive instructions from the unload team chief.

n Retain or dispose of all shoring and dunnage as

determined in planning.

DACG Tasks

l Maintain liaison with the deploying unit.

l Arrange technical assistance required by the

deploying unit with the TALCE.

l Maintain liaison with the aerial port section.

l Call aircraft loads forward from the marshaling area

and assume control in the alert holding area.

l Inspect aircraft loads and ensure they are complete

and correctly prepared and that the required shoring

and dunnage was provided by the deploying unit.

l Establish a discrepancy correction area.

l Inspect documentation for accuracy and

completeness.

l Ensure passenger accountability and control.

l Provide emergency maintenance and related

services, as necessary, to accomplish the loading

mission.

l Direct aircraft loads to the call forward area when

required.

l Assist in the joint inspection of aircraft loads.

l Ensure the deploying unit corrects discrepancies

found during the joint inspection.

l Move equipment forward to the ready line when

required.

l Reassemble aircraft loads, with the assistance of the

TALCE, and prepare required manifest changes if

there are aircraft aborts, changes or ACL

discrepancies.

l Maintain statistical data on the movement of

personnel and equipment, as well as passenger/

cargo manifests and inspection records.

l Ensure the deploying unit adheres to the established

timetable.

l Provide loading team personnel and support

equipment.

l Provide fueling/defueling capability.

l Provide emergency maintenance for vehicles to be

transported.
E-2 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

l Provide and control passenger-holding area if

required.

l Transfer control of the aircraft load to the TALCE

at the ready line and monitor the loading.

l Obtain aircraft load completion time from the

TALCE.

Load Team Chief Tasks (at the ready line)—

l Receive the load at the ready line.

l Direct and supervise load teams and vehicle

operators.

l Ensure equipment and supplies are properly

restrained in the aircraft.

l Coordinate with the TALCE ready line coordinator

for any special assistance or support needed.

l Ensure loadmaster has appropriate number of

copies of passenger/cargo manifest.

l Conduct preflight briefing to all embarking

personnel.

l Pass load completion time to the TALCE’s AOC

section.

AACG Tasks

l Establish coordination with the receiving command

or installation if the AACG is part of the arriving

unit’s load element.

l Ensure accountable aircraft restraint devices are

returned to the aircraft.

l Establish liaison and maintain coordination with the

deploying unit and the TALCE.

l Ensure unload teams are available and briefed on

their duties.

l Coordinate with the TALCE and the deploying unit

on the recovery and storage of shoring and

dunnage.

l Accept each planeload from the TALCE at the

established release point.

l Establish facilities as determined during planning.

l Maintain records on personnel and cargo received

and cleared.

l Release aircraft load to the deploying unit at the

designated location.
APPENDIX F. GLOSSARY

SECTION I. ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

A

AAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arrival and assembly area

AACG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arrival airfield control group

AAFS . . . . . . . . . . . . .amphibious assault fuel system

AALPS . . Automated Aircraft Load Planning System

AAOE . . . . . arrival and assembly operations element

AAOG . . . . . . . arrival and assembly operations group

AAV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . amphibious assault vehicle

ABCA American, British, Canadian, Australian

Armies Standardization Program

ACE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . aviation combat element

ACO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . airfield coordination officer

A/DACG . . . . .arrival/departure airfield control group

ADCON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . administrative control

AFOE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . assault follow-on echelon

AIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . automated information system

AMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Air Mobility Command

ANSI . . . . . . . . American National Standards Institute

AO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . area of operations

AOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . area of responsibility

A/SPOD . . . . . . . . air and/or sea ports of debarkation

A/SPOE. . . . . . . . .air and/or sea ports of embarkation

ATF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . amphibious task force

ATLASS . . . . . . . . . . . asset tracking for logistics and

supply system

B

BLT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .battalion landing team

BOG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . beach operations group

BSA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .beach support area

C

C2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . command and control

CAEMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . .computer-aided embarkation

management system

CALM . . . . . . . . . Computer-Aided Load Manifesting

CAPS II. . . . . . . . . consolidated aerial ports system II

CATF . . . . . . . . . .commander, amphibious task force

CE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . command element

CINC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .commander in chief

CLF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .commander, landing force

CLZ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . craft landing zone

cm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . centimeter

CNSE . . . . . . . . . .commander, naval support element

CONUS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .continental United States

CSS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . combat service support

CSSE. . . . . . . . . . . . . combat service support element

D

DACG . . . . . . . . . . . . .departure airfield control group

DCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . data collection device

DLA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Defense Logistics Agency

DOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Department of Defense

DS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .direct support

DTG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . date-time group

DTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Defense Transportation System

E

EPW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .enemy prisoner of war

ERP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .equipment reception point

evac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . evacuation

F

FARP. . . . . . . . . . forward arming and refueling point

FIE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .fly-in echelon

FMCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . force movement control center

FMFM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fleet Marine Force manual

FOSAMS. . . . . . . . fleet optical scanning ammunition

marking system

FSSG. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .force service support group

FW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . fixed wing

G

G-1/S-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . manpower or personnel officer

G-3/S-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . operations staff officer

G-4/S-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . logistics staff officer
F-2 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

GBL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . government bill of lading

GCCS. . . . . . . . . global command and control system

GCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ground combat element

GDSS. . . . . . . . . . . . Global Decision Support System

GS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . general support

GTN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Global Transportation Network

H

HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . headquarters

HHQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .higher headquarters

HLZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .helicopter landing zone

HST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .helicopter support team

I

ISO. . . . . . International Standardization Organization

in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . inch

ITV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .in-transit visibility

J

JFAST . . . . . . . . . . . .Joint Flow and Analysis System

for Transportation

JFC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . joint force commander

JIATF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .joint interagency task force

JLOTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . joint logistics over-the-shore

JMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . joint movement center

JOPES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joint Operation Planning and

Execution System

JP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . joint publication

JTF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . joint task force

L

LCAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . landing craft air cushion

LFSP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .landing force support party

LMCC . . . . . . . . . . . logistic movement control center

LOC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .lines of communications

LOGSAFE. . . . . . . logistics sustainment analysis and

feasibility estimator

LOGMARS . . . . . .logistics applications of automated

marking and reading symbols

LVS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Logistics Vehicle System

LVT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .landing vehicle track

LZSA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . landing zone support area

M

MAGTF. . . . . . . . . . . . . Marine air-ground task force

MAGTF II/LOG AIS . . . . . . . Marine air-ground task

force II/logistics automated

information system

MARFOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marine Corps forces

MAW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marine aircraft wing

MCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . movement control center

MCWP. . . . . . . Marine Corps warfighting publication

MDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MAGTF Data Library

MDSS II . . . MAGTF Deployment Support System II

MEF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marine expeditionary force

MHE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .materials handling equipment

MOMAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mobility matting

MOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . military occupational speciality

MP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .military police

MPE/S . . . . . . maritime pre-positioned equipment and

supplies

MPF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . maritime pre-positioning force

MPSRON . . maritime pre-positioning ships squadron

MRT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . medical regulating team

MSC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Military Sealift Command

MT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . motor transport

MTMC. . . . . Military Traffic Management Command

MWSG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marine wing support group

MWSS . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marine wing support squadron

N

NATO . . . . . . . . . North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NBC. . . . . . . . . . . . . nuclear, biological, and chemical

NBG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . naval beach group

NSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Navy support element

NVG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . night vision goggles

O

OCU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . orderwire control unit

OIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . officer in charge

OPCON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . operational control

P

PEI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . principal end item

PLGR. . . . . . .precision lightweight global positioning

system (GPS) receiver

POD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . port of debarkation
Transportation Operations________________________________________________________________________________ F-3

POE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .port of embarkation

POG. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . port operations group

POL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . petroleum, oils, and lubricants

Q

QSTAG . . . . . quadripartite standardization agreement

R

ROLMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Retail Ordnance Logistics

Management System (Army)

RW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . rotary wing

S

SASSY . . . . . . . . . Supported Activity Supply System

SLRP . . . . . .survey, liaison, and reconnaissance party

SMU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SASSY management unit

SOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . standing operating procedure

SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .shore party

STANAG . . . . . . standardization agreement (NATO)

T

TACLOG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .tactical-logistical group

TALCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .tanker airlift control element

TAMCN . . . . . . . . . . . . . .table of authorized materiel

control number

TCAIMS . . . Transportation Coordinator’s Automated

Information for Movement System

T/E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .table of equipment

T/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . table of organization

tm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . team

TPFDD . . . . . . . . .time-phased force deployment data

TSB . . . . . . . . . . . . . Transportation Support Battalion

U

UMCC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . unit movement control center

USTRANSCOM . . . . . . .United States Transportation

Command

W

WPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Worldwide Port System
F-4 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

SECTION II. DEFINITIONS

A

advance party—A task organization formed by the

MAGTF commander that consists of personnel

designated to form the nucleus of the arrival and

assembly organizations.

amphibious assault—(DOD) The principal type of

amphibious operation that involves establishing a

force on a hostile or potentially hostile shore. (JP 1-02)

amphibious assault bulk fuel system—The US.

Navy system of flexible, buoyant hose used to effect

ship-to-shore transfer of fuels. Five thousand feet of 6-

inch hose connects amphibious shipping to shorebased fuel storage systems located at the high water

mark. (MCRP 5-12C)

amphibious assault fuel system (AAFS)—The Marine

Corps’ primary fuel storage system used to support

amphibious operations. (extract from MCRP 5-12C)

amphibious force—An amphibious task force and a

landing force together with other forces that are

trained, organized, and equipped for amphibious

operations. (Proposed for inclusion in JP 1-02 by

JP 3-02.)

amphibious planning—The process of planning for

an amphibious operation, distinguished by the

necessity for concurrent, parallel and detailed planning

by all participating forces. (extract from JP 1-02)

amphibious task force (ATF)—A Navy task

organization formed to conduct amphibious

operations. The amphibious task force, together with

the landing force and other forces, constitutes the

amphibious force. (Proposed for inclusion in JP 1-02

by JP 3-02.)

arrival and assembly area (AAA)—An area

designated by Commander, MPF in coordination with

the unified commander and host nation for arrival,

offload, and assembly of forces and MPE/S, and

preparations for subsequent operations.

arrival and assembly operations element (AAOE)—

An agency in each MAGTF element and the NSE

which coordinates the logistics functions of the offload

of MPE/S and the arrival and assembly of forces.

arrival and assembly operations group (AAOG)—

A staff agency of the MAGTF, composed of personnel

from the MAGTF and a liaison from the NSE, to

control the arrival and assembly operations.

B

basic load—(DOD, NAT’O) The quantity of supplies

required to be on hand within, and which can be

moved by, a unit or formation. It is expressed

according to the wartime organization of the unit or

formation and maintained at the prescribed levels.

(JP 1-02)

beach organization—In an amphibious operation, the

planned arrangement of personnel and facilities to

effect movement, supply, and evacuation across

beaches and in the beach area for support of a landing

force. (JP 1-02)

beach support area (BSA)—In amphibious

operations, the area to the rear of a landing force or

elements thereof, established and operated by shore

party units, which contains the facilities for the

unloading of troops and materiel and the support of the

forces ashore; it includes facilities for the evacuation

of wounded, enemy prisoners of war, and captured

materiel. (JP 1-02)

beachhead—A designated area on a hostile or

potentially hostile shore that, when seized and held,

ensures the continuous landing of troops and materiel,

and provides maneuver space requisite for subsequent

projected operations ashore. (JP 1-02)

beachmaster—The naval officer in command of the

beachmaster unit of the naval beach group. (JP 1-02)

beachmaster unit (BMU)—A commissioned naval

unit of the naval beach group designed to provide to

the shore party a naval component known as a beach

party which is capable of supporting the amphibious

landing of one division (reinforced). (JP 1-02)
Transportation Operations________________________________________________________________________________ F-5

C

CLZ support team—Provides logistic support to the

landing force and terminal control of landing craft, air

cushion. (extract from NWP 3)

combat cargo officer (CCO)—(DOD) An

embarkation officer assigned to major amphibious

ships or naval staffs, functioning primarily as an

adviser to and representative of the naval commander

in matters pertaining to embarkation and debarkation

of troops and their supplies and equipment and to the

management of landing force operational reserve

material (LFORM). 

commander, amphibious task force (CATF)—The

Navy officer designated in the order initiating the

amphibious operation as the commander of the

amphibious task force. (Proposed for inclusion in

JP 1-02 by JP 3-02.)

commander, landing force (CLF)—The officer

designated in the order initiating the amphibious

operation as the commander of the landing force.

(Proposed for inclusion in JP 1-02 by JP 3-02.)

concept of logistic support—A verbal or graphic

statement, in a broad outline, of how a commander

intends to support and integrate with a concept of

operations in an operation or campaign. (JP 1-02)

coordinating authority—A commander or individual

assigned responsibility for coordinating specific

functions or activities involving forces of two or more

military departments or two or more forces of the

same Service. The commander or individual has the

authority to require consultation between the agencies

involved, but does not have the authority to compel

agreement. In the event that essential agreement

cannot be obtained, the matter shall be referred to the

appointing authority. (extract from JP 1-02)

D

debarkation—(DOD) The unloading of troops, equipment,

or supplies from a ship or aircraft (JP 1-02).

E

embarkation—(DOD) The process of putting

personnel and/or vehicles and their associated stores

and equipment into ships and/or aircraft. (JP 1-02)

F

flight ferry—The movement by self-deployment of

the aircraft of the ACE to the AAA.

fly-in echelon (FIE)—Airlifted forces and equipment

of the MAGTF and NSE plus aircraft and personnel

arriving in the flight ferry of the ACE.

G

general unloading period—In amphibious

operations, that part of the ship-to-shore movement in

which unloading is primarily logistic in character, and

emphasizes speed and volume of unloading

operations. It encompasses the unloading of units and

cargo from the ships as rapidly as facilities on the

beach permit. It proceeds without regard to class, type,

or priority of cargo, as permitted by cargo handling

facilities ashore. (JP 1-02)

H

helicopter support team (HST)—A task organization

formed and equipped for employment in a landing

zone to facilitate the landing and movement of

helicopterborne troops, equipment and supplies, and to

evacuate selected casualties and enemy prisoners of

war. (Joint Pub 1-02). It may be built around a nucleus

of shore party and helicopter landing zone control

personnel. (JP 3-02)

hydrography—(DOD, NATO) The science which

deals with the measurements and description of the

physical features of the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and

their adjoining coastal areas, with particular reference

to their use for navigational purposes. (JP 1-02)

I

initial unloading period—In amphibious operations,

that part of the ship-to-shore movement in which

unloading is primarily tactical in character and must

be instantly responsive to landing force requirements.

All elements intended to land during this period are

serialized. (JP 1-02)

L

landing beach—(DOD, NATO) That portion of a

shoreline usually required for the landing of a

battalion landing team. However, it may also be that

portion of a shoreline constituting a tactical locality
F-6 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

(such as the shore of a bay) over which a force larger

or smaller than a battalion landing team may be

landed. (JP 1-02)

landing craft—(DOD, NATO) A craft employed in

amphibious operations, specifically designed for

carrying troops and equipment and for beaching,

unloading, and retracting. Also used for logistic cargo

resupply operations. (JP 1-02)

landing force (LF)—A Marine Corps or Army task

organization formed to conduct amphibious

operations. The landing force, together with the

amphibious task force and other forces, constitute the

amphibious force. (Proposed for inclusion in JP 1-02

by JP 3-02.)

landing schedule—(DOD) In an amphibious

operation, a schedule which shows the beach, hour,

and priorities of landing of assault units, and which

coordinates the movements of landing craft from the

transports to the beach in order to execute the scheme

of maneuver ashore. (JP 1-02)

landing zone (LZ)—(DOD, NATO) Any specified

zone used for the landing of aircraft. (JP 1-02)

landing zone control party—(DOD, NATO)

Personnel specially trained and equipped to establish

and operate communications devices from the ground

for traffic control of aircraft/helicopters for a specific

landing zone. (JP 1-02)

M

marine air-ground task force (MAGTF)—The

Marine Corps principal organization for all missions

across the range of military operations, composed of

forces task-organized under a single commander

capable of responding rapidly to a contingency

anywhere in the world. The types of forces in the

MAGTF are functionally grouped into four core

elements: a command element, an aviation combat

element, a ground combat element, and a combat

service support element. The four core elements are

categories of forces, not formal commands. The basic

structure of the MAGTF never varies, though the

number, size, and type of Marine Corps units

comprising each of its four elements will always be

mission dependent. The flexibility of the

organizational structure allows for one or more

subordinate MAGTFs, other Service and/or foreign

military forces, to be assigned or attached.

maritime pre-positioned equipment and supplies

(MPE/S)—Unit equipment and sustaining supplies

associated with a MAGTF and a NSE, which are

deployed on maritime pre-positioning ships.

maritime pre-positioning force (MPF)—A task

organization of units under one commander formed

for the purpose of introducing a MAGTF and its

associated equipment and supplies into a secure area

The MPF is composed of a command element, a

maritime pre-positioning ships (MPS) squadron, a

MAGTF, and a Navy support element. (MCRP 5-12C)

maritime pre-positioning ships (MPS)—(DOD) Civiliancrewed, Military Sealift Command-chartered ships that are

organized into three squadrons and are usually forwarddeployed. These ships are loaded with pre-positioned

equipment and 30 days of supplies to support three

Marine expeditionary brigades. (JP 1-02)

maritime pre-positioning ships squadron

(MPSRON)—A group of civilian-owned and civiliancrewed ships chartered by Military Sealift Command

loaded with pre-positioned equipment and 30 days of

supplies to support a MAGTF up to MEB size. 

marshalling area—In amphibious operations, the

designated area in which, as part of the mounting

process, units are reorganized for embarkation;

vehicles and equipment are prepared to move directly

to embarkation areas; and housekeeping facilities are

provided for troops by other units. (MCRP 5-12C)

N

naval beach group (NBG)—(DOD, NATO) A

permanently organized naval command, within an

amphibious force, comprised of a commander, and

staff, a beachmaster unit, an amphibious construction

battalion, and an assault craft unit, designed to provide

an administrative group from which required naval

tactical components may be made available to the

attack force commander and to the amphibious

landing force commander to support the landing of

one division (reinforced). (JP 1-02)

naval beach unit—See naval beach group.
Transportation Operations________________________________________________________________________________ F-7

Navy cargo handling and port group

(NAVCHAPGRU)—(DOD) The active duty, cargo

handling battalion-sized unit composed solely of

active duty personnel. (JP 1-02) These units are part of

the operating forces and represent the Navy’s

capability for open ocean cargo handling.

Navy support element (NSE)—The maritime prepositioning force element that is composed of naval

beach group staff and subordinate unit personnel, a

detachment of Navy cargo handling force personnel,

and other Navy components, as required. It is tasked

with conducting the off-load and ship-to-shore

movement of maritime pre-positioned equipment/

supplies. (JP 1-02)

nonscheduled waves—Units of the landing force held

in readiness for landing during the initial unloading

period but not included in scheduled or on-call waves. 

O

offload preparation party (OPP)—A task

organization of Navy and Marine maintenance,

embarkation and cargo handling personnel deployed

to the MPSRON before or during its transit to the

objective area to prepare the ship’s offload systems

and embarked equipment for offload.

S

serial—An element or a group of elements within a

series which is given a numerical or alphabetical

designation for convenience in planning, scheduling,

and control. (JP 1-02)

ship-to-shore movement—(DOD, NATO) That

portion of the assault phase of an amphibious

operation which includes the deployment of the

landing force from the assault shipping to designated

landing areas. (JP 1-02)

shore party—A task organization of the landing

force, formed for the purpose of facilitating the

landing and movement off the beaches of troops,

equipment, and supplies; for the evacuation from the

beaches of casualties and enemy prisoners of war; and

for facilitating the beaching, retraction, and salvaging

of landing ships and craft. It comprises elements of

both the naval and landing forces. (JP 1-02)

survey, liaison, and reconnaissance party

(SLRP)—A task organization formed from the

MAGTF and NSE, which is introduced into the

objective area prior to the arrival of the main body of

the FIE to conduct initial reconnaissance, establish

liaison with in-theater authorities, and initiate

preparations for the arrival of the main body of the FIE

and the MPSRON.

T

TACLOG group—Representatives designated by

troop commanders to assist Navy control officers

aboard control ships in the ship-to-shore movement of

troops, equipment, and supplies. (JP 1-02)

tactical airfield fuel dispensing system (TAFDS)—

An expeditionary system providing bulk fuel storage

and dispensing facilities at airfields not having

permanently installed fuel systems; also used to

support fuel dispensing at established airfields.

(MCRP 5-12C)

throughput—(DOD) In logistics, the flow of

sustainability assets in support of military operations,

at all levels of war, from point of origin to point of use.

It involves the movement of personnel and materiel

over lines of communications using established

pipelines and distribution systems. (MCRP 5-12C)
APPENDIX G. REFERENCES AND

RELATED PUBLICATIONS

Department of Defense Directive (DODD)

4500.9 Transportation and Traffic Management

Allied Tactical Publications (ATPs)

8(A) Doctrine for Amphibious Operations

35(B) Land Force Tactical Doctrine

36(A) Amphibious Operations Ship to Shore Movement

39(A) Amphibious Embarkation

46(A) Air Drop Systems for Personnel and Supply Equipment

Joint Publications (JPs)

1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military

and Associated Terms

3-02 Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations

3-02.1 Joint Doctrine for Landing Force Operations

3-02.2 Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Embarkation

4-0 Doctrine for Logistic Support of Joint Operations

4-01 Joint Doctrine for the Defense Transportation System

4-01.3 JTTP for Movement Control

4-01.5 Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Water

Terminal Operations

4-01.6 Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for 

Joint Logistics over the Shore

4-01.7 Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Use of

Intermodal Containers in Joint Operations

Navy Supplement Publication (NAVSUP PUB)

505 Preparation of Hazardous Material for Military Air 

Shipment
G-2 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 4-11.3

Marine Corps Warfighting Publications (MCWPs)

2-1 Intelligence Operations

3-17 Engineer Operations

4-1 Logistics Operations

4-11 Tactical Level Logistics

4-11.1 Health Service Support Operations

4-11.5 Seabee Operations in MAGTF

6-22 Communications and Information Systems

Marine Corps Reference Publications (MCRPs)

4-11.3B Movement of Units in Air Force Aircraft

4-11.3E Multiservice Helicopter Sling-Load Volumes I, Basic

Operations and Equipment, Volume II Single Point

Rigging Procedures, Volume III Dual-Point Load

Rigging Procedures

4-11.3F Convoy Operations Handbook

5-12C Marine Corps Supplement to the Department of

Defense Dictionary of Military and 

Associated Terms

Marine Corps Orders (MCOs)

P4030.19 Preparing Hazardous Materials for Military Air

Shipments

8010.1E Class V(W) Planning Factors for Fleet Marine Force

Combat Operations

Fleet Marine Force Manuals (FMFMs)

1-8/NWP 22-3 Ship-to-Shore Movement (under revision as 

MCWP 3-31.5)

4-2 The Naval Beach Group 

4-6 Movements of Units in Air Force Aircraft (under 

revision as MCRP 4-12A)

47-47 Airdrop of Supplies and Equipment:

Rigging Containers
Transportation Operations________________________________________________________________________________ G-3

10-553 Airdrop of Supplies and Equipment:

Rigging Ammunition

Army Technical Manual (TM)

38.50 Packaging, Materials Handling, and Preparing of

Hazardous Materials for Military Air Shipment

Army Field Manual (FM)

55-17 Terminal Operations Coordinator’s Handbook

Army Technical Bulletin (TB)

55-46-1 Standard Characteristics (dimensions, weight, and

cube) for Transportability of Military Vehicles and

Other Outside/Overweight Equipment