ATP-3-09-24 The Field Artillery Brigade Download
Page 58 of 93
Chapter 4 4-4 ATP 3-09.24 30 March 2022 COUNTERFIRE 4-23. Counterfire is fire intended to destroy or neutralize enemy weapons (JP 3-09). Destruction of enemy capabilities for accurate long-range fires that could disrupt and hinder maneuver is critical to ensure freedom of action and high tempo operations for friendly forces. 4-24. Counterfire can neutralize or destroy all or portions of the enemy's FS capabilities including delivery systems, control nodes, support systems, and logistics or support areas. FAB contributions to the overall counterfire effort include: Implement the organization for combat of corps counterfire assets by retaining FA assets at corps level or allocating them to subordinate divisions in accordance with guidance issued by the corps HQ. Supervise the preparation and execution of counterfire responsibilities by subordinate corps elements within counterfire sectors of responsibility established concurrently with the designation of maneuver boundaries and AO for subordinate divisions. This includes targets within a division's or adjacent unit's AO, if requests for such support have been submitted and approved by corps. Within capability, corps may also respond to requests for additional fires from adjacent units. Detect multiple rocket launcher BNs, helicopter forward operating bases, and other counterfire targets with FA organic assets, reinforced by collectors from the corps' supporting, attached, or OPCON military intelligence units, and special operations forces. Attack threat FS systems with MLRS/HIMARS, Army aviation, Air Force sorties, and ground maneuver forces that may be available for target attack. Recommend the acquisition of additional sensor and attack assets from higher, the JTF commander, or other services. THE FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE IN SUPPORT OF CORPS OPERATIONS 4-25. The FAB is the primary executor of Army long range, indirect fires within corps controlled areas. The FAB gives the corps the ability to plan, prepare, execute, and with proper augmentation, assess long-range, indirect fires. The FAB provides depth to the battlefield, augments the fires of the divisions, acts as a counterfire HQ, and performs corps-wide target acquisition functions. If the operation is phased, priority for fires can vary from phase to phase. 4-26. Support relationships assigned to the FAB are GS, reinforcing, and GSR. FA BNs of a FAB are routinely task organized in GS/GSR/R roles to a DIVARTY in support of the division or organized in non- standard ways to support the corps FS efforts. THE FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE IN SUPPORT OF DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS 4-27. A defensive operation is an operation to defeat an enemy attack, gain time, economize forces, and develop conditions favorable for offensive or stability operations (ADP 3-0). The corps conducts defensive operations when national interests are best served by limiting thrusts deep into enemy-held territory or when insufficient forces are available for transition to the offense. The counterattack is the means by which the fundamental of maximum use of offensive action is achieved in defensive operations. For more information on the types of defensive operations see ADP 3-90. 4-28. Strikes conducted throughout the enemy's depth can assist in defeating or deterring the enemy before the enemy reaches the main body of forces. Use fires in support of defensive operations to disrupt enemy artillery, separate enemy echelons, and delay or attrit maneuver elements as they move forward. Fires can be critical to offsetting a lack of maneuver assets for defense of large areas. For more information on providing FS is support of defensive operations see FM 3-09. The general considerations of the FAB in defensive operations: In mobile defense and area defense: Execute strike to delay, disrupt, and attrit attacking enemy forces within the corps close and deep areas.