ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 4 4-8 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 4-39. There are various ways to mark a location or target. Techniques include: Mark friendly positions. Mark enemy positions. Mark by direct fire. Use Infrared marks. Mark by indirect fire Use backup marks. 4-40. Artillery or mortar fires are effective means of assisting aircrews in visually acquiring targets. Before choosing to mark by artillery or mortars, observers should consider the danger of exposing these supporting arms to enemy indirect fire acquisition systems and the additional coordination required. Marking rounds (usually smoke or illumination set to burn on the ground) should be delivered as close to the target as possible. Marking rounds are most effective when delivered within 100 meters of the target, but those within 300 meters are generally effective enough for direct-fire armed aircraft. If the situation requires a precise mark, observers or spotters can adjust marking rounds early to ensure that an accurate mark is delivered. This action may, however, alert the enemy to an imminent attack. When marking rounds are used to indicate the cessation of indirect fires so that aircraft can attack the target, the marking round should be the last round fired. Note: The marking of friendly positions is the least desirable method of target location information and should be used with extreme caution. 4-41. Target marking aids aircrews in locating the target that the unit in contact desires them to attack. Ground commanders should provide the target mark whenever possible. Target marks should be planned to include sufficient time before weapons employment to ensure target acquisition by aircrews. The target mark can be provided by direct or indirect fire weapons or from an aircraft with a forward air controller (airborne) onboard. To be effective, the mark must be timely, accurate, and easily identifiable. Target marks may be confused with other fires on the battlefield such as suppression rounds, detonations, and marks on other targets. Although a mark is not mandatory, it assists in achieving aircrew accuracy, enhances situational understanding, and reduces the risk of fratricide. 4-42. The air mission commander provides battle damage assessment to the ground commander who determines if reattack is required to achieve desired effects. Support continues until the desired effects are created. See FM 3-04.111 for more on Army aviation operations and FM 3-04.126 for additional information on marking friendly and threat positions for identification by aircrews. SECTION IV – AIR OPERATIONS SUPPORTING THE BCT 4-43. Air support by other Service manned and unmanned aircraft may extend the reach of BCT-directed fires. The theater air control system and the Army air-ground system bring together the Air Force and Army components to conduct air support for the Army and suppression of enemy air defenses support for Army aviation and the Air Force during joint operations. For more on the theater air control system and the Army air-ground system, see ATP 3-52.2. PLANNING AND REQUESTING AIR SUPPORT 4-44. The BCT FSCOORD, fires cell planners, and targeting officers identify targets to be attacked with air assets. Fire support personnel develop a prioritized initial target list (the development process includes predicting the target types and the confirmed targets that will logically be expected to move before they are attacked) and send the list through channels for review and evaluation by higher headquarters. Both the current Air Force tactical intelligence database and the current tactical air reconnaissance operations database can provide useful target information during the initial planning for BCT operations. Refinement of target information is a continuous process up to the time of the launch of attack aircraft. Information for the initial target list should include the: