ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 5 5-6 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 Coordinate clearance of all indirect and joint fires with units. Maintain and update the current active NFA list. Maintain digital link to field artillery and target acquisition assets. Track and maintain situational understanding of close air support. Track and maintain situational understanding of naval surface fire support. Send fire missions to the cannon field artillery battalion fire direction center for processing. Request assessment reports. Ensure mission fired reports and artillery target intelligence reports are received and processed. JOINT AUGMENTATION TO THE BCT MAIN COMMAND POST FIRES CELL 5-20. Augmentation to the BCT main command post fires cell normally includes an Air Force TACP and, depending upon the mission variables, may include a naval surface fire support liaison officer, a Marine Corps liaison officer, and an Army space support team. AIR FORCE TACTICAL AIR CONTROL PARTY 5-21. A tactical air control party is a subordinate operational component of a tactical air control system designed to provide air liaison to land forces and for the control of aircraft (JP 3-09.3). When resourced, a United States (U.S.) Air Force TACP collocates with the fires cell at the BCT main command post. An air liaison officer is the senior tactical air control party member attached to a ground unit who functions as the primary advisor to the ground commander on air power (JP 3-09.3). The Air Force air liaison officer advises the BCT commander and staff on air support for BCT operations. The air liaison officer leverages the expertise of the TACP with linkages to the higher headquarters tactical air control parties to plan, coordinate, synchronize, and execute air support. The air liaison officer also maintains situational understanding of the total air support picture. The BCT SWO provides all weather effects assessments based on observed and forecast weather conditions for all air support assets. 5-22. The TACP working with the BCT is sufficiently resourced to support BCT operations from both the tactical and main command posts. When the tactical command post is deployed, the BCT’s TACP can be split into two smaller tactical air control parties, one coordinating and executing close air support in the close, decisive fight from the tactical command post, and the second assisting the BCT executive officer and staff in coordinating and executing BCT operations from the main command post. The battalion-level TACP includes an air liaison officer and joint terminal attack controllers (JTAC) with the added responsibility of terminal attack control. Air Force JTACs are required at each maneuver battalion company and cavalry troop and are employed by the company commander to provide close air support to support the company. Tactical air control parties coordinate activities through the joint air request net and the advanced airlift notification net. 5-23. Tactical air control party functions include: Serve as the Air Force commander’s representative, providing advice to the BCT commander and staff on the capabilities, limitations, and employment of air support, airlift, and reconnaissance. Provide an Air Force coordination interface not only with the BCT fires cell, but also those of the battalion fires cells. Assist in the synchronization of air and surface fires and preparing the air support plan. Provide direct liaison for local ADAM activities. Facilitate the planning of air support (see chapter 4) for future operations and advise on the development and evaluation of close air support, air interdiction, air reconnaissance, joint air attack team operations and joint suppression of enemy air defenses programs. Provide terminal attack control for close air support and operate in the joint air request net.