The combatant commander has the authority to issue and implement directives to transfer logistic functions between or among Service components within the AOR under wartime or crisis conditions. This authority is designed to ensure effective execution of approved operations plans, provide effectiveness and economy in operation plan, and prevent unnecessary duplication of facilities and functions among the Service components. The Department of Defense has designated the US Army as the executive agent for the DOD Chemical and Biological Defense Research, Development, and Acquisition Program. The US Army implements this responsibility through a joint Service agreement and chairmanship of a joint Service review group and a joint panel on chemical biological defense, reporting to the joint logistic commanders. The US Army also chairs a joint Service coordination committee to assist in chemical defense equipment logistic prioritization and allocation of resources worldwide.
Logistic organizations provide support and assistance to sustain forces.
This support is primarily in the functions of supply, maintenance, transportation, civil engineering and health services, and services associated with non-materiel support actions. Combatant commanders exercise command and control of the logistic effort through Service component commanders so that they can shift support effort to the critical place and time. Logistic commanders must initiate NBC defensive procedures to limit exposure of their units and facilities to NBC attacks and to protect personnel and supplies from NBC contamination. Where protection is not assured, NBC defense calls for decontamination of critical support materiel. Most logistic functions become more difficult under NBC conditions.