ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 4 4-18 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 Aviation commander (joint air attack team commander). Attack helicopter unit leader. Brigade FSO and, as appropriate, the subordinate and supporting unit FSOs. Air Force air liaison officer. Air Force staff weather officer assigned to support the BCT. Army aviation liaison officer. Cannon field artillery battalion or battery fire direction center. Aerial observer (if available). EXECUTION OF JOINT AIR ATTACK TEAM TASKS 4-93. During the execution phase, the aviation commander is the director and coordinator of the team effort. En route to the target or engagement area, the aviation commander contacts the ground commander for a tactical update. The aviation commander establishes direct communication with the fire support assets committed to in the joint air attack team operation. The BCT or supported ground commander monitors the appropriate nets to keep abreast of the joint air attack team’s status and to assist the aviation commander as needed. 4-94. Applying Army indirect fires, joint fires, and Army aviation against the same target set cannot be accomplished without a detailed unit airspace plan. Airspace control requirements to execute a joint air attack team are complicated and must be fully developed, distributed, and rehearsed. Air corridors, ACAs, initial points, and battle positions must all be included in the unit airspace plan. Rehearsing this plan is essential to a successful joint air attack team engagement. See ATP 3-09.32, for additional information on joint air attack team planning and execution. JOINT SUPPRESSION OF ENEMY AIR DEFENSES IN THE BCT OPERATIONAL AREA 4-95. During an air operation, enemy air defense systems become high-payoff targets. Joint suppression of enemy air defense typically includes all related activities provided by one component of the joint force in support of another. Joint suppression of enemy air defenses requires joint interaction to suppress enemy surface-to-air defenses having an influence on the operational and tactical portion of the operation. The greatest indirect fire suppression capability of ground and naval forces is against those threats that can be engaged by observed fire. 4-96. The FSCOORD and fires cell planners ensure that target queries for suppression of enemy air defenses are conducted for each air interdiction and planned close air support request. Attack of targets for joint suppression of enemy air defenses must be synchronized with the planned air strike. The sources for development of targets for joint suppression of enemy air defenses in decisive operations are primarily ground observers and Army electronic, imagery, or templating techniques. Targets to be suppressed in support of air interdiction attack missions are provided primarily by air support air reconnaissance flight reports or other aircraft reports available from the BCD intelligence division. Targets are attacked either as acquired or as part of a scheduled program. The FSCOORD and fires cell planners coordinate the synchronization of programs for suppression of enemy air defenses with the Air Force air liaison officer, Air Force staff weather officer, brigade aviation officer, and Army aviation liaison officer. 4-97. Targeting for suppression of enemy air defenses should cover those targets capable of affecting aircraft ingress and egress routes. The destruction of the enemy capability requires attacks of firing systems as they are located, command or control nodes, and target acquisition sites that comprise the enemy air defense high-value targets. This information is available from the BCT or other appropriate level Air Force air liaison officer, or may be found in the air tasking order. Joint suppression of enemy air defenses can be accomplished through destructive and disruptive means.