ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 2 2-2 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 A no-strike list is a list of objects or entities characterized as protected from the effects of military operations under international law and/or rules of engagement (JP 3-60). A restricted target is a valid target that has specific restrictions placed on the actions authorized against it due to operational considerations (JP 3-60). A restricted target list is a list of restricted targets nominated by elements of the joint force and approved by the joint force commander or directed by higher authorities (JP 3-60). 2-5. No-strike entities are protected from the effects of military operations under international law or the rules of engagement. Attacking these entities (for example, cultural and religious sites, embassies belonging to noncombatant countries, hospitals, and schools) may violate the laws of war or interfere with friendly relations with other nations, indigenous populations, or governments. No-strike lists are not target lists, since the entities on the no-strike list are not targets. The lists are continuously updated with the latest information. For more information on no-strike entities and no-strike lists, see the discussion in JP 3-60 and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction (CJCSI) 3160.01A. 2-6. The BCT commander, the staff, fire support coordinator (FSCOORD), brigade fire support officer (FSO) and fires cell planners will encounter detailed rules of engagement during some operations (for example during urban or stability operations) including lists of protected or restricted sites and areas. War gaming must identify situations in which the descriptive restrictions for various fire support coordination measures (FSCM) (described in FM 3-09) may need refinement, and when chain of command decisions or exceptions are required. The FSCOORD and fires cell planners will frequently have to recommend which type of FSCM is appropriate for various unique situations. Bursting radius, delivery errors, and standard deviations will need to be accounted for more frequently. Reference cards, standard operating procedures (see ATP 3-90.90), and rehearsals are critical to ensuring that clearance of fires does not become a slow and cumbersome process. Streamlined clearance of fires channels may need to be established that are limited to specific fire support tasks. Check firing procedures may need greater planning, coordination, and rehearsal. See ATP 3-60, FM 3-09, JP 3-09, and JP 3-60 for additional information on rules of engagement and FSCMs. CLEARANCE OF FIRES 2-7. Clearance of fires is the process by which the supported commander ensures that fires or their effects will have no unintended consequences on friendly units or the scheme of maneuver (FM 3-09). Commanders are responsible for the clearance of fires. 2-8. The center of this process is in the BCT main command post current operations cell. Clearance of fires may be assisted through a staff process, control measures, embedded in automation control systems, or through active or passive recognition systems. The FSCOORD, chief of fires, FSO, and fires cell plan and coordinate all fire support impacting in the supported commander’s area of operations, including the fire support requested by the supported unit. Airspace coordination, which should always be a part of the clearance of fires, is assisted through the staff process. The FSCOORD and fires cell planners ensure that fire support will not jeopardize troop safety, will interface with other fire support means, will ensure the most responsive fires possible, and will not disrupt adjacent unit operations. Control measures (see the discussion in FM 3-09) are vital to the successful clearance of fires. See the detailed discussion on clearance of fires in Chapter 5 of this manual and in FM 3-09. COLLATERAL DAMAGE 2-9. Collateral damage is unintentional or incidental injury or damage to persons or objects that would not be lawful military targets in the circumstances ruling at the time (JP 3-60). Such damage is not unlawful so long as it is incidental to striking a legitimate military target and is not excessive relative to the proportional military advantage anticipated from the attack. 2-10. The FSCOORD, brigade fires support officer and fires cell planners should consider such matters as the potential for collateral damage, the possibility of hazardous material contamination, the effects on the civilian populace, and any other possibilities that may affect the achievement of tactical, operational and strategic objectives. Tactical events in an urban environment (see chapter 3) contain the real potential for