ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Fire Support at Battalion and Below 1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 D-3 paragraph and ensures it is personally approved by the commander. At battalion level, it is typically the FSO. The scheme of fires describes how the commander intends to use fires to support the concept of operations with emphasis on the scheme of maneuver. The scheme of fires states the fire support tasks and the purpose of each task, and the priorities for, allocation of, and restrictions on fires. The scheme of fires paragraph should include a subparagraph for each type of fire support involved. Appropriate fire support liaison representatives (if available) prepare their respective paragraphs. Refer to Annex D (Fires), if published, as required. The scheme of fires paragraphs and the supporting annex (if any), target lists, schedules, matrices, or other documents make up the fire support plan. The OPORD format is found in FM 6-0. At brigade and higher levels, annexes, appendixes, and tabs are normally written to give more details concerning information in the OPORD. At battalion and lower, a formal written OPORD is often not produced. A fire support plan at battalion level may be an operation overlay with written instructions, a fire support execution matrix (FSEM), and a target list. D-7. The FSO develops the fire support plan in accordance with the commander's intent and concept of the operation (preparations, counterpreparations, groups, series, and programs of targets). The FSO should: Plan targets in depth and other targets that were not planned by the company FSOs but are within the battalion operational area. The battalion FSO begins this fire planning on receipt of the maneuver battalion mission and before the battalion FSO's briefing to the company FSOs or the submission of targets by the company FSOs. Coordinate with the FA battalion and maneuver battalion S-2 on all known, suspected, or likely enemy locations; and advise the commander on enemy indirect fire support capabilities and limitations. Consolidate target lists from the company FSOs, resolve duplications, and forward the target lists to the brigade FSO and the BCT field artillery battalion fire direction center. Target lists from companies should consist of not more than three to five targets. The battalion FSO should plan no more than 10 to 20 targets. If the number of targets is limited, the fire support plan is more manageable and can be better supported than a fire support plan with a lengthy target list. Distribute the consolidated target list to all company FSOs. Coordinate requests for additional fire support when the fire support means available at company level are inadequate. Develop the battalion fire support plan, and brief the commander and S-3 to obtain approval or further planning guidance. Keep the battalion fire support plan current. Adjust the fire support plan as required when intelligence and spot reports are received. Keep the commander informed of the capabilities and limitations of all fire support assets that may be made available to the battalion, and advise the commander on all fire support matters. Collect information from the various liaison officers, correlate that information, and inform the maneuver commander. As a minimum, this information should include the availability of fire support assets (command or support relationship), suitability, response time, and assigned priorities. The FSO serves as both the FA liaison officer and the representative of the BCT's fire support coordinator. The absence of other liaison or staff officers does not relieve the FSO of his responsibility to keep the maneuver commander informed of all available fire support assets and to keep the FA units informed of the battalion plans and requirements. Advise and consult with other fires cell representatives. Supervise the operation of the fires cell. QUICK FIRE PLAN D-8. In fire support planning and integration either through AFATDS or manually, a quick fire plan contains all the necessary elements. Fire support officers at a lower echelon (company to BCT) use standardized but flexible techniques to quickly prepare the fire support plan for a maneuver tactical task. D-9. The maneuver commander must approve the quick fire plan. The FSO develops targets and assigns target numbers to them. In quick fire planning, however, the FSO assigns targets (and possibly a schedule of fires) to the most appropriate fire support means available to support the operation. In fast-moving situations, targets may be developed or planned by the battalion FSO and passed to the company FSOs. The