ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Coordinating Fire Support 1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 5-7 NAVAL SURFACE FIRE SUPPORT LIAISON OFFICER AND THE AIR NAVAL GUNFIRE LIAISON COMPANY (ANGLICO) 5-24. The naval surface fire support liaison officer supervises a naval surface fire support team that may be collocated with the BCT main command post fires cell. This team advises the BCT commander and staff on the planning, preparation, execution, and assessment of naval surface fires. 5-25. Members of the ANGLICO are specially trained in conducting naval gunfire. However, the procedures are simplified and standardized so that any trained observer (for example, a fire support team (FIST) or forward observer) can effectively adjust the fire of a ship. 5-26. ANGLICO personnel are available to advise unit commanders from company through brigade levels on how to best use the naval air and gunfire support available to them. Liaison personnel can give unit commanders and their fire support personnel information on weapon ranges, ammunition effects, and all- weather bombing capabilities. For maximum effectiveness, ANGLICO support should begin during the planning phase of an operation. ANGLICO task-organized teams should be attached to the units they will support as soon as possible. ANGLICO personnel at all levels, maneuver company through BCT, are trained as naval gunfire spotters and forward air controllers and can request and control missions for the units they support. MARINE CORPS LIAISON OFFICER AND THE FIREPOWER CONTROL TEAM 5-27. A U.S. Marine Corps liaison officer or a liaison team may augment the BCT main command post fires cell based on METT-TC to coordinate naval and U.S. Marine Corps air support to the BCT. The fires cell processes requests for naval or U.S. Marine Corps air support through this liaison officer or liaison team. 5-28. A firepower control team may be attached to the maneuver battalion to perform terminal control of naval or U.S. Marine Corps air support. In the absence of an observer from the firepower control team, the company fire support team (FIST) with JFO or the JTAC may control naval or U.S. Marine Corps air. BCT SUBORDINATE ECHELON COMMAND POSTS 5-29. The fire support organizations at battalion level and below coordinate fires to include organic mortars and any additional fire support allocated by the BCT fires cell. The battalion FSO plans fires in support of all battalion tasks and advises the commander concerning the capabilities, limitations and effective use of available fire support resources. The FSCOORD, assisted by the brigade FSO, advises the BCT commander on training, personnel management, maintenance, and equipment readiness for all subordinate fire support organizations. 5-30. The battalion fires cell provides a fire support coordination capability within the cavalry squadron and maneuver battalion headquarters. The battalion fires cell works closely with the BCT main command post fires cell to coordinate and synchronize maneuver and fires. The cell not only assists the battalion in executing its respective part of the BCT’s fire support plan, but also assists the maneuver battalions and cavalry squadron in executing their own fire support plans. Until Army force structure changes provide a fires cell and FISTs, predeployment training for the Soldiers of the Engineer battalion or the BSTB concerning fire planning and the call for fire is strongly recommended. 5-31. The battalion fires cell monitors priority of fire for indirect fire and electronic attack systems, and recommends priority of search for weapon locating radars. Through the AFATDS, the battalion fires cell provides the company FIST with digital linkage to the battalion mortars as well as to fire support assets available at the BCT or higher levels. 5-32. FISTs deploy to the maneuver companies and the cavalry troops for tactical operations. The FISTs deployed to infantry companies include platoon forward observers for each of its platoons. See chapters 3 and 4. See FM 3-96, FM 3-90.5, FM 3-20.96, and ATP 3-90.61 for details on the BCT’s combined arms battalion and cavalry squadron role. 5-33. The Air Force TACP, when assigned, is the Air Force liaison element to the battalion. The tactical air control party at battalion level advises the commander on the capabilities and limitations of air power and