REAR AREA SECURITY Throughout the spectrum of conflict, rear support areas have increasingly become major targets. Modern weaponry has made rear areas extremely vulnerable. Rear area security must counteract the effects of modem weaponry to protect rear support areas. Seabees are primarily assigned to the rear area

Figure 1-5.- Marine Expeditionary Force Engineer Branch.

Figure 1-6.- MEF major subordinate commands. and therefore must be familiar organization. with the rear area

The main objective of rear area security (RAS) is to minimize the effects of an enemy attack. Tactics used by the RAS include measures taken prior, during, and after an enemy airborne attack, sabotage, infiltration, guerrilla action, or initiation of psychological or propaganda warfare. The MAGTF rear area is the area extended rearward from the rear boundary of the Ground Combat Element (GCE) to the MAGTF rear boundary.

The objective of RAS is to provide defense for all forces operating within the MAGTF rear area so those functions associated with rear area operations, in support of combat operations, are not interrupted. All units in the rear area must be prepared to defend themselves to accomplish this objective. A cluster concept is used within the rear area so base facility operations centers are established. An NMCB has a formidable array of weapons and has a significant capability for defensive operations within the rear area.

BASE FACILITY COMMANDER The base facility commander is responsible for the facility assigned to him or her. Each unit is assigned to a base facility and reports to the base facility commander by way of the COC (fig. 1-7).

REAR AREA SECURITY COORDINATOR (RASC) The CSSE or the ACE commander is usually appointed by the MAGTF commander to coordinate rear mea security (RAS) and normally functions as the rear area security coordinator (RASC). The RASC monitors the day-today operations of the rear area through the combat service support operations center (CSSOC) and the rear area operations center (RAOC). The NCF commander coordinates with the RASC to ensure that NCF assets and capabilities are incorporated into the RAS effort.

PROVISIONAL SECURITY FORCES An MEF RASC can organize two types of provisional security forces: the previsional mobile security platoons (PMSPs) and the provisional helicopter-borne security company (PHSC). MAGTFs, smaller than an MEF, will have a tailored provisional security force. Based on the mission and threat assessment, these units can be used to support local defense efforts in the support of the RAS. These units should be included in your defense plan.

Provisional Mobile Security Platoons (PMSPs)

The force service support group (FSSG), located within the rear area, can field two provisional mobile

Figure 1-7.- Securlty of base facilities. security platoons (PMSPs) to act as a quick reaction force in support of RAS efforts. The PMSPs can be tasked with the following missions:

Relief/ rescue of attacked installations/ units Route patrolling and convoy protection Surveillance/ reconnaissance Defense of possible enemy drop/ landing zones Finding, fixing, destroying enemy forces operating in the rear area

Force Service Support Group Military Police

The force service support group military police are the MPs for the rear area and can be tasked with the following missions:

1. Provide military police to conduct battlefield circulation control for the MAGTF (material supply routes security).

2. Provide military police for law enforcement, criminal investigation, U. S. prisoner confinement, and counteract terrorist activities.

3. Establish surveillance and conduct route reconnaissance in the MAGTF rear area.

4. Provide for the collection, processing, and evacuation of enemy prisoners of war (POW) and civilian internees in the MAGTF rear am.