ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
Page 29 of 308
Fire Support for Tactical Tasks During Brigade Combat Team Operations 1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 2-7 Use field artillery raids to strike high-payoff targets. Integrate information operations to create a holistic effect. CONSIDERATIONS FOR FIRES IN SUPPORT OF OFFENSIVE TASKS 2-33. ADRP 3-90 provides guidance in the form of combat-tested concepts and ideas modified to exploit emerging Army and joint offensive capabilities. FM 3-90-1 provides guidance for conduct of the offense during Army operations. ADRP 3-09 provides a summary discussion of fires in support of offensive tasks. FM 3-09 describes offensive task considerations for all field artillery units. General Offensive Task Fire Support Planning Considerations 2-34. Some general fire support planning considerations for BCT offensive tasks: Synchronize targeting working group and targeting board sessions with the air tasking order cycle. Refine the high-payoff target list at each session. Note: The air tasking order is a method used to task and disseminate to components, subordinate units, and command and control agencies projected sorties, capabilities, and/or forces to targets and specific missions (JP 3-30). A high-payoff target list is a prioritized list of high-payoff targets by phase of the operation (FM 3-09). A high-payoff target is a target whose loss to the enemy will significantly contribute to the success of the friendly course of action (JP 3-60). Ensure that fire plans address the commander’s fire support guidance and allocation of resources. Fires cells must allow enough time both to update fire support computers for rehearsals and convert them back for actual operations. Note: A fire plan is a tactical plan for using the weapons of a unit or formation so that their fire will be coordinated (FM 3-09). A fire plan typically includes the plan for direct fires and the fire support plan. Determine the times that all fire support systems must be ready to fire based on the scheme of maneuver. Recommend how and when to shift the priority of fires. Also, determine what will be the trigger for shifting the priority of fires. Consider developing an interdiction plan to disrupt enemy preparation of the objective. Plan fires short of the line of departure or line of contact. Plan defensive fires (for example, final protective fire (FPF) for unit assembly areas and trains). Plan fires en route to the line of departure or line of contact including: Fires to support a hasty defense if the attack fails. Fires to limit enemy efforts at counter-reconnaissance. Plan fires from the line of departure or line of contact to the objective: Provide priority of fires to lead elements. Consider using fires to suppress enemy direct fire weapons. Consider using obscurants to limit enemy observation of friendly maneuver elements. Consider using obscurants to screen friendly breaching, clearing, or gap crossing operations. Consider planning fires on exposed flanks to disrupt counterattacks. Consider task organization of observers to ensure that all critical targets are observed. Ensure preparation fires are tied to maneuver events (that is, not just timed); advantages must outweigh the loss of surprise: Fires must be accurate to be effective; consider how successful reconnaissance efforts have been—and whether there will be a need to adjust preparation fires before executing the assault.