ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 4 4-16 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 data and the target mark during Type 3 control. It is not unusual to have two types of control in effect at one time for different flights. 4-80. Battle damage assessment is the final step in determining if the BCT commander’s desired effects have been achieved by close air support. The damage assessment must be passed to both the aircraft and the supported commander and entered into the intelligence system as soon as possible. This assists the unit commander in determining whether to reattack the target either with close air support or another fire support means. See ATP 3-09.32 and JP 3-09.3 for additional information on control of close air support. JOINT AIR ATTACK TEAM OPERATIONS SUPPORTING THE BCT 4-81. A joint air attack team is a combination of attack and/or scout rotary-wing and fixed-wing close air support aircraft operating together to locate and attack high-priority targets and other targets of opportunity (JP 3-09.3). The joint air attack team normally operates as a coordinated effort supported by fire support, air defense artillery, naval surface fire support, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, electronic attack and electronic warfare support systems, and ground maneuver forces against enemy forces. JTACs may perform duties as directed by the air mission commander in support of the ground commander’s scheme of maneuver. 4-82. The use of a joint air attack team provides a method for integrating multiple assets to mass fires on an enemy force. Joint air attack team fires are integrated, mutually supportive, and synergistic, not simply deconflicted. The BCT or other land force commander typically determines when to employ a joint air attack team but any commander may request one. A joint air attack team can be employed anywhere on the battlefield. Close air support procedures may be required, depending on the proximity of friendly forces and the requirement for detailed integration. Usually a joint air attack team is planned and may be placed on the air tasking order, but variations can be quickly organized based on the situation and available communications means. Normally, the joint air attack team is employed close to friendly troops as an integrated member of the combined arms team. However, a joint air attack team can operate independently, away from ground units. The joint air attack team is most effective against moving targets in open areas. It is least effective when attacking targets that are in camouflaged, dug-in positions. 4-83. The joint air attack team provides the BCT commander with a flexible force component that can engage the enemy high-payoff targets in the BCT area of operations. Each Service component involved retains OPCON of its respective units during a joint air attack team operation. A joint air attack team can facilitate shaping operations and respond to threats throughout the BCT’s area of operations. The BCT is responsible to synchronize maneuver with the delivery of joint air attack team fires to maximize the effects on the enemy. The aviation commander coordinates the joint air attack team and makes the tactical plan. Army and Marine attack helicopters provide fires, target acquisition, mission coordination, and mutual defense. They are aerial maneuver units capable of rapid reaction and not restricted by terrain. Navy, Marine, and Air Force fixed-wing elements can achieve a synergistic effect when combined with attack helicopters. The air mission commander executes the joint air attack team engagement. The aviation commander and the air mission commander may be the same person. 4-84. The supported BCT commander determines when to employ a joint air attack team, requests the assets and integrates the joint air attack team, other combat units, and supporting fires into the concept of operations. Indirect fire assets augment the fires of the joint air attack team. Fires cells develop plans for supporting joint suppression of enemy air defenses that facilitate aircraft ingress and egress and necessary FSCMs to allow the simultaneous attack by aircraft and indirect fires. PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS FOR A JOINT AIR ATTACK TEAM SUPPORTING THE BCT 4-85. The BCT staff identifies the requirement for joint air attack team planning through their intelligence preparation of the battlefield (see ATPs 2-01.3 and 2-19.4). This analytical approach can nominate appropriate targets and engagement areas for joint air attack team employment. The identification of key intelligence trigger events (which signal the buildup of a likely enemy target) is essential to effective joint air attack team employment. Joint air attack team task assignment considerations include: Identify the presence of massed enemy armored or mechanized vehicles. Identify, locate and classify moving targets.