ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
Page 113 of 308
Augmenting Fire Support 1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 4-17 Determine the availability of joint air attack team assets. Can the enemy be flanked? Plan to gain local air superiority. Plan to suppress enemy helicopters Prepare for a change in mission (for example counterattacks, exploitations, and pursuits). Isolate the engagement by attacking follow-on elements. Weather effects on joint fires assets. 4-86. The BCT is the lowest echelon at which a joint air attack team is planned and coordinated. Coordination with the appropriate BCT subordinate or supporting unit is required if the joint air attack team is to be employed in that unit’s area of operations. In such cases execution may be handed off to that subordinate or supporting unit. 4-87. The coordination process for joint air attack team tasks takes place in the BCT main command post fires cell under the supervision of the FSCOORD, brigade FSO, the Air Force air liaison officer, and the BCT brigade aviation officer or Army aviation liaison officer. 4-88. The FSCOORD, fires cell planners, targeting working group and targeting board plan and coordinate the use of fires and appropriate aspects of information operations and cyber electromagnetic activities to complement the joint air attack team. 4-89. The FSCOORD and fires cell planners determine the need, availability, and positioning of artillery, commensurate with the enemy update, to support the joint air attack team. They coordinate with the Army aviation liaison officer or brigade aviation officer to provide call signs and frequencies to the BCT’s cannon field artillery battalion and supporting artillery. They also assist the Air Force air liaison officer, ADAM/brigade aviation element (BAE), and Army aviation liaison officer in deconflicting aviation and close air support initial positions from artillery positions and the development of airspace coordination areas (ACA) to support the mission. The FSCOORD and fires cell planners also: Determine the requirement for suppression of enemy air defenses. Air routes Attack by fire and support by fire positions. Consider the use of unmanned aircraft for route reconnaissance. Coordinate for marking rounds in the target area with the joint air attack team commander and forward air controller. Consider the use of radar critical friendly zones to protect attack helicopters in their battle positions. Consider use of guided munitions to minimize target obscuration that might adversely impact pilot view of the target. Determine when and how priorities of fires shift. Recommend and integrate FSCMs to enhance the success of the mission. ACAs should be coordinated with the Air Force TACP and ADAM/BAE. Determine and disseminate laser pulse repetition frequency codes. Establish a quick fire channel if necessary. PREPARATION FOR A JOINT AIR ATTACK TEAM SUPPORTING THE BCT 4-90. The preparation phase includes briefing the plan, ensuring dissemination of the plan to subordinate units that may affect the joint air attack team engagement, reconnaissance, and rehearsal. 4-91. The aviation commander, after completing a reconnaissance, provides feedback to the Air Force air liaison officer, FSCOORD, brigade FSO, brigade aviation officer, and the Army aviation liaison officer. If refinements to the plan are needed, they are made and rapidly disseminated. 4-92. Rehearsals are crucial to check communications channels, movement routes, and battle positions, time required to move assets forward, graphical control measures, and the fire plan. The joint air attack team rehearsal participants should include the: