ATP-3-09-24 The Field Artillery Brigade Download
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Operations and Integrating Processes 30 March 2022 ATP 3-09.24 3-11 Centralized Control at the Field Artillery Brigade 3-53. WLRs may be held under the centralized control of the FAB, if it is designated as the FFA HQ and there’s no other designated counterfire headquarters HQ. The FAB or designated counterfire HQ plans the entire WLR coverage plan for the corps, division, or JTF, specifically under the control of the FAB commander. Counterfire HQ at every echelon need to work in close coordination to maintain a counterfire common operating picture by integrating every available WLR in the AO while maintaining radar coverage over their supported HQs AO. Under FAB centralized control, the FAB's higher HQ provides the FAB with a command or support relationship (probably tactical control) over all of the WLRs in the formation. The FAB provides subordinate WLRs with: A designated general position area, sector of search, and zones for each of the radars. Established cueing guidance. Designated cueing agents. Control of WLR movement. Designates who receives WLR targets. Decentralized Control 3-54. . During decentralized counterfire operations there is no single HQ orchestrating the commander's counterfire fight. Each subordinate unit is responsible for their own counterfire. 3-55. WLRs and firing units are positioned by their organic HQ instead of the FFA or counterfire HQ. The counterfire section or the FSE monitors, but does not control the WLR. Decentralized control streamlines the process of sensor to shooter response time, however, it is critical that procedures are in place for clearance of fires. A Combination of Centralized and Decentralized Control 3-56. Any combination of centralized and decentralized control of WLRs may be used according to the situation. For example, one of the FAB's Q-53 WLRs may be task organized to a subordinate unit, while the remaining WLRs are kept under control of the FAB. Although the FAB has organic WLRs, the division or other higher HQ may task a BCT to cover division and corps target areas of interest within the BCT AO with BCT surveillance, reconnaissance and TA assets, including the BCT FA BN's WLRs. CLEARANCE OF FIRES 3-57. Clearance of fires is the process by which the supported commander ensures that fires or their effects will have no unintended consequences on friendly units or the scheme of maneuver (FM 3-09). Clearance of fires ensures fires will attack enemy capabilities without resulting in casualties to friendly forces. 3-58. The supported ground commander is responsible for the clearance of fires in his area of operations, including the integration of fires with other airspace users. The commander establishes, or requests higher HQ establishment of control measures (such as graphic control measures, direct fire control measures, ACMs, and FSCMs) that serve as a means of separating units, synchronizing fires and maneuver, facilitating clearance of fires, and preventing fratricide. A graphic control measure is a symbol used on maps and displays to regulate forces and warfighting functions. The commander may not employ indirect fires across boundaries without receiving clearance from the unit into whose area of operations the fires will impact. Commanders may order direct fires be employed across boundaries, without clearance, at specific point targets that are clearly and positively identified as enemy. Commanders may consider early coordination to also grant clearance for indirect fires against targets that are clearly and positively identified as enemy. Airspace clearance remains necessary in any situation. CLEARANCE OF FIRES DRILL 3-59. Clearance of fires typically occurs in the current operations cell of the main CP. A clearance of fires drill should be a part of all CP standard operating procedures. FS requests can come from many channels.