ATP-3-09-24 The Field Artillery Brigade Download
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Chapter 1 1-8 ATP 3-09.24 30 March 2022 1-27. The reinforcing FAB could also assume the role of the counterfire HQ for the reinforced FAB or DIVARTY. The FAB would assume control of the reinforced unit's WLRs operations if operating under centralized control. THE FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE AS A COUNTERFIRE HEADQUARTERS 1-28. Counterfire is fire intended to destroy or neutralize enemy weapons (JP 3-09). This includes counterbattery and counter-mortar fire. Battle consists of a set of related engagements that lasts longer and involves larger forces than an engagement (ADP 3-90). Counterfire contributes by providing fires against the enemy indirect fire system; it protects friendly forces, combat functions, and facilities from enemy indirect fires by suppressing, neutralizing, or destroying enemy indirect fire weapons systems. It is also used against the enemy’s command and control (C2), ammunition, logistics, and TA capabilities. Counterfire is an integrated aspect of the overall combined arms approach to achieve fire superiority. 1-29. In large-scale combat operations, the senior tactical echelon commanders are responsible for counterfire throughout the depth of their AO. The corps or division commander can assign the role of counterfire HQ to a FAB, DIVARTY, or a separate FA BN. The counterfire HQ must be allocated the necessary assets to conduct the counterfire fight. During large-scale combat operations a corps should be allocated two FABs, one to serve as the counterfire HQ and one to serve as the FFA HQ. The counterfire HQ will coordinate with the higher headquarters G-2 to integrate counterfire information requirements into the information collection plan and ensures that it includes who need the information and the latest time the information is of value to integrate all available assets into the counterfire fight in a proactive manner. The counterfire HQ duties include: Plan and coordinate sensor management. May require augmentation by Army information collection assets to locate and accurately target the enemy indirect fire systems. Establish counterfire TAIs. Based off pattern analysis conduct WLR zone management in support of the counterfire fight. Recommend positioning of counterfire delivery systems. Write the target acquisition tab to Annex D. Recommend counterfire techniques to facilitate permissive fires. Participate in the targeting process 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 (referred to as JADOCS). 1-30. The FAB conducts proactive counterfire by targeting specific enemy indirect fire systems including their C2, sensors, platforms, and logistics before they engage friendly forces. The proactive measures consist of zone management, air space management, site analysis, and position survivability considerations. Proactive counterfire process begins with targeting and continues throughout the operation. The G-2 and the targeting officer develop named area of interest (NAIs) and TAIs where the enemy indirect fire assets are expected. A named area of interest is a geospatial area or systems node or link against which information that will satisfy a specific information requirement can be collected, usually to capture indications of adversary courses of action (JP 2-01.3). A target area of interest is the geographical area where high-value targets can be acquired and engaged by friendly forces (JP 2-01.3) 1-31. The objective of proactive counterfire is to identify, locate, and attack to eliminate the enemy's strike capability before it can impact friendly operations. FS personnel utilize FSCMs to rapidly coordinate and engage counterfire targets. A fire support coordination measure is a measure employed by commanders to facilitate the rapid engagement of targets and simultaneously provide safeguards for friendly forces (JP 3-0). 1-32. FAB and air interdiction (AI) delivery platforms are normally leveraged to strike the bulk of proactive counterfire using available TA assets to acquire and disable attack components of the enemy's strike capability. Examples of target sets include: cannon, rocket, and missile delivery units, prepared launch sites, artillery ammunition storage facilities, fire direction centers, counter-battery radars, forward observers, fixed