3-14. The sustainment staff’s role in synchronizing sustainment planning with operations is necessary to assist operational commanders and their staffs establish the conditions for what is possible. To ensure maximum freedom of action sustainment planners must understand the commander’s intent, be able to visualize the operation and articulate the operational risks. Limitations like, insufficient infrastructure or the availability of a key class of supply or replacement weapon systems has bearing on the commander’s ability to execute the mission. Sustainment commanders and staffs must present credible courses of action commensurate with sustainment capabilities to allow as much freedom of action as possible to accomplish the operational end state. While sustainment should not be an impediment to an operation, poor planning, lack of coordination, and understanding could severely influence the success of the operation.