ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
Page 268 of 308
Appendix D D-6 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 Establish and allocate priority targets and priority of fires. Execute the fire support plan. Provide for positive clearance of fires. Ensure the safeguarding of friendly elements. Cue target acquisition assets as required. Anticipate changes dictated by the developing battle, and recommend revision of the fire support plan if required Continually locate and coordinate the attack of targets within the supported unit's operational area. Coordinate the attack of targets outside the operational area as required Call for, adjust, and direct all types of fire support as required. Aggressively prepare and send reports and information to higher and lower fires cells and firing unit headquarters as necessary. Be prepared to establish necessary techniques, communications, and capabilities to operate from the tactical command post or from a position or vehicle forward on the battlefield as required. Maneuver Battalion Tactical and Main Command Post Split Operations D-18. The supported maneuver battalion may form a tactical command post, such as during fast-moving offensive or retrograde tasks, to maintain communications and facilitate the movement of the main command post. In such circumstances, the commander may designate one of the command post vehicles from the main command post to act as the tactical command post. Some or all of the command group may locate at the tactical command post at various times. D-19. The command group consists of the commander and those personnel selected to go forward to help control maneuver and fires during battle. The tactical command post typically includes the FSO, the air liaison officer or a joint terminal attack controller, and the S-3. D-20. There is no requirement for these individuals to collocate. Normally, however, the FSO is either with the commander in the commander's vehicle or in another vehicle nearby the commander during battle. The FSO may occupy the air liaison officer's vehicle as an option if no other vehicle is available. D-21. Given the limited personnel and equipment resources of battalion fires cells, the FSO must carefully consider how to best use the cell's assets if required to man a tactical CP or go forward in battle. The FSO should have the necessary communications and digital capability available when not physically in the fires cell at the main CP. This will permit digital communications with other FSOs and provide access to the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System. Other requirements for vehicles, radios, and personnel should be included in the tactical standard operating procedure or passed to the commander in the form of a running estimate. BATTALION FIRE SUPPORT EXECUTION MATRIX D-22. Chapter 6 describes the preparation of a BCT FSEM. The FSEM explains what aspects of the fire support plan each FSO is responsible for and at what phase during the battle these aspects apply. When approved, the matrix becomes the primary execution tool. A technique is to set up the matrix with the maneuver elements or target executors along the left side and the maneuver control measures (phase lines, events, or times) of the mission along the top. Phases should correspond to phases established on maneuver execution matrices. Format of and information in FSEMs will vary from unit to unit. Standard operating procedures should standardize FSEM preparation to ensure synchronization with maneuver matrices. D-23. For example, at battalion level the matrix may be used to indicate: If priority of an indirect fire support means is allocated to a company or team, indicate the fire support means by an abbreviation of that fire support asset in the appropriate matrix box. If an FPF has been allocated, the acronym FPF preceded by the type of indirect fire means responsible for firing that FPF may appear in the box. A priority target allocated to a company or platoon may appear in the unit's box as PRI TGT preceded by the means of fire support responsible for firing the target. Once a target is