ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
Page 36 of 308
Chapter 2 2-14 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 Table 2-2. 9-step process for echeloning a preparation NINE STEPS FOR ECHELONING A PREPARATION • Determine what assets, to include ammunition, are required and what assets are currently available or allocated. • Verify risk estimate distances and attack criteria with the commander. • Plan targets. • Develop a communications plan. • Determine what the rate of movement will be. • Develop the schedule of fires and decide how the preparation schedule will be initiated. • Brief the plan and confirm the method with the commander. • Complete the scheduling worksheet(s) within AFATDS or manually using DA Form(s) 4656 (Scheduling Worksheet). • Rehearse and refine the plan. Step 1 2-63. The fire support planners must determine what fire support assets and capabilities (lethal and nonlethal, including appropriate aspects of cyber electromagnetic activities) are available for the preparation. In making this determination, the brigade FSO, information operations officer, and fires cell planners should consider: Does the naval gunfire gun-target line support use of naval surface fire support in the preparation? During what air tasking order cycle must the preplanned close air support request be submitted? What are the ammunition constraints and limitations and can they be adjusted (controlled supply rate may restrict or limit the use of certain types of ammunition)? What are the dud rates and self-destruct times of improved conventional munitions? These types of munitions may be best suited to the flanks and beyond the objective and not on the objective. Step 2 2-64. Verify risk estimate distances (see ATP 3-09.32) and the commander’s attack criteria. Risk estimate distances allow the commander to estimate the risk in terms of percent of friendly casualties that may result from the employment of lethal munitions within close proximity of friendly forces. Risk estimate distances are based on the amount of risk the maneuver commander is willing to accept. The risk is usually expressed as the probability of incapacitation, which is the probability that a soldier will suffer an incapacitating injury. Step 3 2-65. Plan targets on the objective, to the flanks of the objective, and beyond the objective. Timely and accurate intelligence is critical to this step. Weapons and ammunition should be matched to the appropriate target. Step 4 2-66. Develop a communications plan to support fires. The preparation may involve many fire support assets over a considerable distance; reliable and redundant means of digital and voice communications are essential. Consider establishing both a ground and air retransmission capability. Step 5 2-67. Determine the force’s rate of movement. This rate will vary depending on the type maneuver force and the terrain. A fully mechanized force travels much further and faster than a light infantry force. The rate of movement of combined heavy and light forces is also different. The S-2 or intelligence cell’s intelligence preparation of the battlefield (see ATP 2-01.3, and ATP 2-19.4) should assist in determining a reasonable rate of movement. Caution is advised, however, because a movement rate can change. Subordinate and supporting units’ movements must be closely monitored, and the brigade FSO and fires cell planners must develop a plan to alter the schedule of fires based on the movement rate. Intelligence preparation of the battlefield is the systematic process of analyzing the mission variables of enemy, terrain, weather, and civil considerations in an area of interest to determine their effect on operations (ATP 2-01.3).