ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 5 5-22 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 5-79. Fire support personnel, especially the BCT fires cell staff, may participate in field artillery tactical and technical rehearsals conducted by the BCT’s field artillery battalion and supporting units from higher headquarters. Field artillery tactical rehearsals are focused on the execution of field artillery tasks and the positioning and movement of field artillery units. Fire support involvement is critical in addressing firing priorities, backup plans to generate desired effects, proper entry of commander’s guidance’s into the AFATDS, and terrain management issues. Field artillery technical rehearsals may focus on digital communications, on critical sensor-to-shooter linkages, or on the fire direction processes. 5-80. When time is limited, the FSCOORD and brigade FSO may direct a single rehearsal that addresses both fire support and field artillery actions. The scope of a combined fire support/field artillery rehearsal varies, depending on the time available and the overall BCT rehearsal plan. However, the combined rehearsal generally focuses on the most important fire support tasks and on the coordination necessary between key fire support and field artillery participants. When a combined arms rehearsal isn’t conducted and a combined fire support/field artillery rehearsal serves as the primary fire support rehearsal; the BCT S- 2 and S-3, and other members of the BCT main command post fires cell (for example Air Force air liaison officer, electronic attack officer, brigade judge advocate, targeting officers and others) should participate whenever possible. CONDUCTING THE FIRE SUPPORT RADIO REHEARSAL 5-81. The BCT fire support radio rehearsal is conducted not only to verify the same information as previously described, but also to verify the communication links for mission execution. It will usually be conducted on the BCT fire support net, but if the BCT is operating in a single-channel mode, an alternate frequency will be used. NET CALL AND AGENDA REVIEW 5-82. The radio rehearsal begins with the brigade FSO or an assistant brigade FSO conducting a net call. Each of the subordinate and supporting unit FSOs will ensure that their company FSOs are present. Stations will respond in established order. At the completion of the net call, the BCT’s field artillery battalion fire direction officer will give a time hack using global positioning system time as the standard. 5-83. The brigade FSO reviews the rehearsal agenda including: Fire support task review in accordance with the scheme of fires. FSCOORD’s guidance. Consolidated target list review (field artillery battalion fire direction officer). FSCMs and priority of fires by phase. Fire support task execution, including target, trigger, location, observer, delivery system, attack guidance, and communications network. Critical friendly zone and call-for-fire zone review. Issues. Digital execution. FIRE SUPPORT TASKS AND THE FIRE SUPPORT COORDINATOR’S GUIDANCE 5-84. The brigade FSO then states the number of phases in the operation and the fire support tasks for each phase in accordance with the scheme of fires. At this time, the FSCOORD and brigade FSO may provide any additional guidance as required. Following the BCT fire support tasks, subordinate and supporting unit FSOs state their respective unit’s fire support tasks. 5-85. The FSCOORD and brigade FSO review the overall mission for the cannon field artillery battalion and the fires warfighting function. The FSCOORD or the FSO provides any necessary fire support task guidance.