ATP-3-09-12 Field Artillery Counterfire and Weapons Locating Radar Operations Download
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26 October 2021 ATP 3-09.12 2-1 Chapter 2 Roles and Responsibilities This chapter discusses FA organizations and the role they may be assigned to support counterfire. The chapter defines the Counterfire HQ and FFA HQ roles. It also discusses the FA organizations that perform a counterfire role when assigned. FIELD ARTILLERY ORGANIZATIONS 2-1. FA organizations and their related CPs integrate FA operations, targeting, counterfire, and attack/delivery systems to synchronize the execution of FA missions. CPs must aggressively seek information about the current tactical situation (friendly unit locations, obstacles, cleared lanes, and bypassed units), while disseminating this information to all subordinate and supporting units. Since FA CPs are also primary enemy targets, they should be as small and mobile as possible to allow for rapid and frequent displacement. COUNTERFIRE HEADQUARTERS 2-2. Counterfire is not separate from the combined arms fight, but an aspect of the overall battle. In LSCO, the corps and division commanders are responsible for counterfire throughout the depth of their AOs. A corps should be allocated two FABs, one to serve as the counterfire HQ and one to serve as the FFA HQ for the corps. The DIVARTY is in the optimal position to be the counterfire HQ for the division. If a FAB/DIVARTY is designated as the counterfire HQ they must be allocated the necessary assets to conduct the counterfire fight. The counterfire HQ will coordinate with the division and corps intelligence officer for sensor tasking authority and additional intelligence capabilities to integrate all available assets into the counterfire fight in a proactive manner. The counterfire HQ duties include: Plan and coordinate sensor management. Conduct pattern analysis of enemy indirect fire systems. A pattern analysis plot sheet is a common analysis tool for listing information. It can be configured to determine enemy indirect fire activity as it occurs within a specified time. The pattern analysis plot sheet is a circular matrix and calendar. Each concentric circle represents one day and each wedge in the circle is one hour of the day. For more information on pattern analysis see ATP 2-19.4 and ATP 2-33.4. Establish counterfire TAI. Based on pattern analysis conduct WLR zone management in support of the counterfire fight. Recommend positioning of counterfire delivery systems. Write the TA Tab to Annex D. Recommend counterfire procedures to facilitate permissive fires. Participate in the targeting process and provide recommendations for air interdiction, and strike coordination and reconnaissance requests and nominations through the division or corps FSE. Establish counterfire mission digital and voice procedures and communications architecture using AFATDS and the joint automated deep operations coordination system (JADOCS). FORCE FIELD ARTILLERY HEADQUARTERS 2-3. A force field artillery headquarters is a battalion size or higher unit designated by the supported commander who specifies its duration, duties, and responsibilities (FM 3-09). A command's organic FA HQ is normally the FFA HQ (DIVARTY). When formations do not have an organic FA HQ (to include a JTF), the respective commander may designate an FFA HQ such as a FAB. Functions of the FFA HQ may include: