(1). The site should be located close to the Main Supply Route (MSR) and supported units to allow easy
access.
(2). Storage sites should be located as far as possible from hospitals and important military installations,
especially those subject to enemy attacks. Downwind distances to populated areas must also be
considered, since chemical agents may be stored in the ASP.
(3). Select an area that is easy to defend against ground attack with the least amount of personnel and
materials.
(4). There must be a good road network into and within the site. The road must be easily passable for
vehicles under all weather conditions. It should require little maintenance.
(5). A railhead nearby is desirable for a storage area that may later be developed into a larger installation.
(6). The ground should be as level as possible, yet should have good drainage. Level ground with natural
barriers at proper intervals to segregate Field Storage Units (FSUs) and categories of ammunition is
desirable. The ground must be able to support the weight of the ammunition.
(7). Give considerable attention to fire hazards when establishing an ammunition storage site. Vegetation
control is essential to reducing fire hazards.
(8). Also consider security and ease of defense. Sites selected should provide a defilade (a mask or
screen) so that direct observation is not possible. Physical barriers or guards may be used to deny or
impede access to security areas by unauthorized persons. Natural barriers such as rivers, seas, cliffs,
canyons, and other land or water features that are difficult to traverse are effective.
(9). Dispersion considerations: The area should be large enough to allow for dispersion of stocks. The
principal objective in the dispersion of ammunition is to minimize loss in case of fire, accidental
explosion, or enemy action. Each kind of ammunition should be stored in at least two widely
separated FSUs to prevent the loss of the entire supply of any one type of ammunition.
(10). Traffic control considerations include:
(a). All traffic in a storage site should be one way for safety.
(b). Temporary storage sites should take advantage of existing roads. Road construction in temporary
storage sites should be minimized.
(c). Traffic patterns, traffic flow, and section locations should be charted or mapped and provided to
supported unit ammunition trains and resupply vehicles.
(d). Ideally, roads should be hard-surfaced, well-drained, and wide enough to allow passage of
vehicles if the tactical situation permits.
(e). Establish an ammunition trains vehicle holding area where trains can be stopped, parked, and held
until preparation is made to serve them. It should be located a suitable distance from the storage
site in order to reduce traffic congestion and confusion.
MM0166
2
Previous Page
