ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
Page 165 of 308
Planning and Integrating Fires for BCT Operations 1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 6-5 preparing, executing, and assessing. During planning for a new operation, however, it is primarily the decide function that is performed. Decide generally begins with the MDMP as the BCT staff is developing the OPLAN or OPORD. It does not end when the plan is completed; it continues by continuously validating previous targeting decisions and making new targeting decisions based on changed circumstances or changed guidance. The BCT executive officer, S-2, S-3, FSCOORD, brigade FSO, fires cell planners and targeting officers, targeting working group, and targeting board collaboratively develop decide function products such as the high-payoff target list, targeting input to the information collection plan, target selection standards, the attack guidance matrix, and the targeting synchronization matrix. These products collectively address: What target sets does the enemy require to ensure success? What are the key elements (targets) associated with of each identified target set? What targets can be acquired and attacked? When and where are the targets likely to be found? How long will the target remain once acquired? Who or what can locate the targets? What accuracy of target location is required to successfully attack the target? What are the priorities for information collection and target acquisition objectives and asset allocation? What intelligence requirements are essential to the targeting effort and how and by when must the information be obtained, processed, and disseminated? When, where, how, and in what priority should the targets be attacked? What are the measures of performance and measures of effectiveness that determine whether the target has been successfully attacked and whether the commander’s desired effects have been created? Who or what can attack the targets, and how should the attack be conducted (for example, number and type of attack elements, ammunition to be used) to create desired effects and what are the required assets and resources based on the commander’s guidance? What are the weather effects on information collection and fires assets? What or who will obtain assessment or other information required for determining the success or failure of each attack? Who must receive and process that information, how rapidly, and in what format? Who has the decisionmaking authority to determine success or failure, and how rapidly must the decision be made and disseminated? What actions will be required if an attack is unsuccessful and who has the authority to direct those actions? 6-19. The detect function includes intelligence preparation of the battlefield (see ATPs 2-01.3 and 2-19.4) and occurs during preparation and execution. The deliver function occurs primarily during execution, although some targets may be engaged while the BCT is planning or preparing for the overall operation. The assess function occurs throughout the operations process, but is most intense following the execution of an attack of the target. Targeting is continuously refined and adjusted between the BCT commander and the staff as the operation unfolds. 6-20. The BCT commander may employ an additional technique (find, fix, finish, exploit, analyze. and disseminate [F3EAD]) that provides the maneuver commander the ability to address certain challenges, particularly those found in a counterinsurgency environment. F3EAD is not a replacement for decide, detect, deliver, and assess (D3A) nor is it exclusive to targeting. Rather it is a technique that works best at the battalion tactical level for leaders to understand their operational environment and visualize the effects they want to achieve. F3EAD is well suited as a means of engaging personalities or high-value individuals. A high-value individual is a person of interest who is identified, surveilled, tracked, influenced, or engaged (ATP 3-60). For detailed discussion on D3A and F3EAD see ATP 3-60 and JP 3-60.