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 5-27 Fires into a planned call-for-fire-zone resulting from a radar acquisition from that planned call- for-fire zone. Fires on a planned target with a definable trigger, against a specific enemy, and according to the scheme of fires. Airspace integration is always a consideration. It may be possible to establish airspace coordinating measures or procedures (see FM 3-09 and FM 3-52) for rapidly providing relative safety for friendly aircraft. CLEARANCE OF FIRES DRILL 5-116. Clearance of fires should be a drill in all command posts and operations centers. Fires clearance should occur at the location with the most current information. However, as fire support requests can come from many channels, clearance of fires must be a staff drill in all command posts and operations centers. The best method is a redundant drill where a call for clearance is transmitted over two nets; the fire support net and a maneuver net. Initiating the drill is the responsibility of the BCT main command post fires cell. Staff members that may be required to participate in the clearance of fires drill may include (but are not limited to) the BCT S-3, FSCOORD, brigade FSO, brigade judge advocate, information operations officer, ADAM/BAE, Air Force air liaison officer and command post shift leaders. Clearance of fires in an urban environment (see chapter 3) is often complicated by strict rules of engagement and collateral damage considerations. The staff section(s) required to participate in the clearance of fire drill depends on the operational environment within which the BCT is operating and should be included in the BCT’s tactical standard operating procedures. 5-117. Facilitate positive clearance of fires through prior planning, rehearsals, and careful placement of FSCMs. However, the clearance of targets of opportunity often presents challenges. Fires on targets of opportunity must be delivered on short notice without undue delay and without jeopardizing friendly force security. For positive clearance of fires, the following should be obtained: Best available method of target location. Positive identification of targets as enemy. Eyes on target, if at all possible. Clearances from appropriate external elements if the target is outside unit boundaries. AIRSPACE CONTROL 5-118. BCT airspace control involves detailed coordination and integration to enable effective use of close air support, indirect fires, air defense artillery, tactical fire and maneuver operations and Army aviation (including unmanned aircraft systems). Airspace control helps minimize the risk of fratricide and increases overall force effectiveness. 5-119. Maneuver commanders exercise airspace control within their assigned areas of operation through the integration of both positive and procedural control methods. Both methods of control are fully compatible and should be used in concert to effectively perform airspace control. Typically higher command authority directs many positive and procedural control methods. The air tasking order, published daily by the joint force air component commander, directs tactical identification friend-or-foe use, and assignments in each theater, as well as projecting ground combat movements. The airspace control order (published either as part of the air tasking order or separately) notifies appropriate theater air-ground system nodes of the effective times, altitudes, distances, and the controlling agency for all airspace control measures. It may also include FSCMs, air defense control measures, and any other pertinent airspace information deemed necessary by the airspace control authority to limit fratricide and maximize combat effectiveness.