ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 6 6-60 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 or BCT OPORD or fire support plan and the field artillery battalion OPORD or field artillery support plan. Examples of on-order field artillery support relationships and command relationships might be: 1-3 FA (155, self-propelled) (M109A6): R 1-31 FA; do not exceed 75 percent of controlled supply rate in support of 1-31 FA; on-order attached to 7 Field Artillery Brigade. 1-171 FA (155, self-propelled) (M109A6): R 1-31 FA during covering force; after completing rearward passage, on-order GS 52d Infantry Division. ROLE OF THE FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE COMMANDER IN TASK-ORGANIZING FIELD ARTILLERY 6-221. When a FAB is designated the force field artillery headquarters for a division without a DIVARTY (as may occur with a National Guard division), the BCT fire support planners also work with the FAB commander and the FAB staff. In unusual circumstances, an aviation brigade or FAB may be in direct support of a BCT. 6-222. The FAB has no direct command or support relationship with field artillery battalions organic to BCTs unless the division commander specifies the FAB as the force field artillery headquarters. The supported maneuver commander specifies the commensurate responsibilities of the force field artillery headquarters and the duration of those responsibilities. 6-223. Battalions of the FAB may also be attached, under the OPCON of, or given a support relationship to another brigade. Since the BCT has organic artillery, a supporting battalion from the FAB is normally given a reinforcing support relationship to the BCT’s field artillery battalion. JOINT AND NATO CONSIDERATION FOR TASK-ORGANIZING FIELD ARTILLERY 6-224. If the BCT is operating as part of a joint or multinational operation, the FSCOORD and fires cell planners may encounter several other command relationship terms: combatant command, operational command, tactical control, and support. For example, members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United States (U.S.) Marine Corps follow STANAG 2484 artillery tactical tasks and responsibilities. Detailed information on these command relationship terms can be found in FM 3-09, ADRP 1-02, JP 1-02, and JP 3-0. 6-225. OPLANs and OPORDs state the command and support relationships that place the unit under a commanding headquarters. If possible, show all command and support relationships in the task organization. MUTUAL SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR TASK-ORGANIZING FIELD ARTILLERY 6-226. Commanders consider mutual support when task-organizing forces and assigning areas of operation. Mutual support has two aspects—supporting range and supporting distance. Supporting range is the distance one unit may be geographically separated from a second unit yet remain within the maximum range of the second unit’s weapons systems (ADRP 3-0). Supporting range depends on available weapons systems and is normally the maximum range of the supporting unit’s indirect fire weapons. Supporting distance is the distance between two units that can be traveled in time for one to come to the aid of the other and prevent its defeat by an enemy or ensure it regains control of a civil situation (ADRP 3-0). Supporting distance is a function of terrain and mobility, distance, enemy capabilities, friendly capabilities, and reaction time. See ADRP 3-0 for further information on supporting range and distance. 6-227. Indirect fire support units such as the BCT’s organic cannon field artillery battalion are affected by the information system capabilities between supported and supporting units. Fires units may be within supporting range, but if the unit needing support cannot communicate with the supporting force, the proximity of the supporting force may have no effect on the outcome of an operation. See FM 3-09 for a detailed discussion on task-organizing field artillery units.