operations. The large amount of area in a corps requires that the rear CP conduct rear operations
through area support groups RAOCs. Each area support group has one MP battalion in its area to
provide area security for rear operations.
b. A well planned base defense results in success in rear operations. Base defense includes all
actions that units take to protect themselves from enemy acts. They consist of passive and active
measures. This includes MP patrolling and reconnaissance, hardening and dispersal, cover and
concealment, and deception and quick reaction to enemy threat or attack.
9. Base Configuration and Positioning.
Every unit must look out for its own security. It must protect itself against level I enemy threats.
Support units are not trained or equipped to conduct a sustained defense against levels II and III
attacks. Therefore, combat support and combat service support units are grouped together into bases
and base clusters. This is to enhance their own defense as well as providing mutual support for
forward forces. Bases and base clusters are responsible for the corps rear CP/rear area operations
center (RAOC) and division bases to the division rear CP. The senior office in each base and base
cluster will be base or base cluster commander.
a. Base. The base is a small, defendable area with a defined perimeter and access controls. The
base commander is the unit or senior unit commander if more than one unit is present in the base.
Each base will have a base defense operations center (BDOC) to plan and supervise base defense.
The position of the base will be determined by the G3, support commander, and the RAOC.
b. Base cluster. The base clusters normally cover a larger area than a base. There are several
bases that are grouped together to enhance their security as well as for support of combat forces. A
base cluster does not have a defined perimeter or fixed access points. For rear operations, the base
cluster is the next higher tactical and control command of the base. The base cluster commander has
a headquarters and staff to set up the base cluster operations center (BCOC). The BCOC is the center
for all matters pertaining to rear operations. It provides the command and control for the base cluster.
The BCOC is similar to the tactical operations center (TOC). It coordinates base defense; it also
maintains communications with the bases. The area support group (ASG) ROAC and the division rear
CP collects and passes plans for air defense and fire support to the clusters. The ASG RAOCs and
division rear CP also coordinates for MP and or combat forces to assist in base defense against level II
and III attacks.
c. Isolated units. Most combat service support units in the corps rear area are within a base
cluster. Some may be isolated. These units will be part of the rear operations plan. They will report to
the ASG RAOC.
10. MP Support to Bases.
7-5
MP1007
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