Forward support battalion
{{More citations needed|date=December 2024}}
A forward support battalion (FSB) was an Army of Excellence combat service support unit designed to support a Brigade.{{cite web | website=Google | date=2017-08-31 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MoBq4XDjYggC | title=Professional Journal of the US Army | access-date=2024-12-14}}
Unit
In divisions, it was part of the Division Support Command (DISCOM).{{cite web | last=Order | first=Battle | title=Future US Army Division Structures | website=Battle Order | date=2023-04-08 | url=https://www.battleorder.org/post/waypoint-divisions | access-date=2024-12-14}}{{cite book | last=Ginn | first=Richard V. N. | title=The History of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps | publisher=Defense Department | publication-place=Washington, DC | date=1997 | isbn=978-0-16-045353-3 | page=390}}
It was composed of:
- Headquarters and an A company, which provided command, control, and oversight for the battalion and quartermaster support to the brigade. However, the forward support battalions of armored and mechanized brigades would have a separate Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD) and A company.
- A B company, which provided maintenance support to the brigade both with 3rd Shop, and Maintenance Support Teams attached to the individual battalions.
- A C company, which provided level II medical support to the brigade.
With the conversion to the modular force, the FSBs were replaced with brigade support battalions (BSBs).{{cite web | title=BRIGADE SUPPORT BATTALION ORGANIZATIONAL CHALLENGES | url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA494752.pdf |publisher=United States Army | access-date=2024-12-14}}
History
The 47th Forward Support Battalion saw service in the Iraq War in May 2008.{{cite web | title=47th FSB takes over support operations at FOB Hammer | website=DVIDS | date=2024-12-02 | url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/19516/47th-fsb-takes-over-support-operations-fob-hammer | access-date=2024-12-14}}