ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
Page 271 of 308
Fire Support at Battalion and Below 1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 D-9 Table D-2. Company fire support planning guidance Guidance Notes Provide information on the capabilities and limitations of all fire support systems. Know the systems that may be made available to the company. Be familiar with enemy indirect fire capabilities and limitations. Use this information in fire planning to target suspected and likely enemy indirect fire weapon positions. Provide a fires running estimate to the commander. Assist the commander in estimating the situation and in wargaming to develop the concept of the operation. While the commander fights through each action in the wargaming process to determine factors critical to success, the FSO mentally attacks emerging targets with the most effective system. Keep the maneuver commander informed. Provide the status, location, and availability of fire support systems, to include their command or support relationship. Know the status of the platoon observers and their locations. Determine task requirements for all available fire support systems. This process is both oral and informal. Plan fire support in accordance with the concept of operation by establishing targets that facilitate rapid engagement by both trained and untrained observers. Within a company sector, only a few targets are required to provide for responsive, effective fire support. These targets will normally be at least 500 to 1,000 meters apart. Plan targets on likely enemy avenues of approach and on locations critical to the security of the force. While there is no numerical limit, a company fire support plan of three to five targets is usually enough. A simple fire plan will ensure that the supporting artillery or mortars can execute it without problems. It will also ensure the plan is understood by both fire support and maneuver chains of command. Complete the company fire support plan. Resolve duplications and assign target numbers. Brief the company commander to obtain the commander’s approval. Pass targets to the battalion fires cell. Do this as soon as possible. Brief FIST personnel on the company fire plan. The company commander’s fire plan includes the plan for direct fires and the fire support plan. Provide a copy of the fire support execution matrix to each platoon and to the company headquarters. Modify and update target lists and the fire support execution matrix as the situation develops. Include priority targets if allocated by the battalion fires cell. In the defense, plan FPFs to stop enemy movement across defensive lines or areas. Integrate planned FPFs with the commander's defensive plans. The supported company commander or platoon leader in whose area the FPFs are located retains the authority to call for the FPFs. Give guidance to observers. Ensure the observers understand their respective areas of responsibility, trigger points, assigned communications net call signs and frequencies, laser codes, automation system addresses, and so forth. Consider late-breaking intelligence or spot reports in the development of the fire support plan. Keep the plan current with the situation. Be prepared to develop a quick fire plan if needed. FPF – final protective fire FIST – fire support team FSO – fire support officer COMPANY FIRE SUPPORT COORDINATION AND EXECUTION D-31. The company FSO's duties in coordinating and executing fire support include: Establish and maintain communications with forward observers, battalion FSO, battalion fires cell and FSO, and mortar and artillery units as required. Prepare and disseminate fire support documents.