ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
Page 39 of 308
Fire Support for Tactical Tasks During Brigade Combat Team Operations 1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 2-17 DIVARTY and the FAB and its role in supporting the BCT’s cannon field artillery battalion during pursuit and exploitation, see FM 3-09 and ATP 3-09.24. FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS SPECIFIC TO THE EXPLOITATION 2-83. The commander directs the BCT into exploitation through the use of a fragmentary order. As a minimum, this order addresses: Commander’s intent. The BCT’s maneuver formation. Subordinate and supporting unit objectives and tasks. Modifications to the task organization. Updated information collection plan (see the discussion in chapter 4 and FM 3-55. Revised control measures. Bypass criteria. Guidance for the seizure of key terrain or facilities. Scheme of fires. 2-84. The FSCOORD and fires cell planners develop a fire support plan (see chapter 6) that provides decentralized and immediate responsive fires to the lead units. The plan focuses on the engagement of high- payoff targets ahead of the BCT. Air defense assets continue to provide all-around air defense. Logistics planners support the movement of assets and their displacement to maintain support responsiveness. Increased ammunition, fuel, petroleum, oil, and lubricant requirements are anticipated and supported as far forward as necessary. Due to the potential of bypassed enemy forces, logisticians are concerned with the security of main supply routes. 2-85. In fire planning for the exploitation, consider: Fires not only in front of the force, but also to the flanks and rear. Massed fires on choke points and key terrain to canalize, slow, and block the enemy’s movements. Fires to suppress bypassed enemy pockets of resistance until friendly maneuver elements are safely past; suppressive and other fires may then be needed to support follow-on force actions against the bypassed forces. Fires that do not create obstacles to friendly forces and limit forward progress. Deep shell craters or improperly placed scatterable mines can hinder forward movement. 2-86. Complete fire support coordination as early as possible. Use on-order measures to facilitate rapid emplacement and movement of assets. Consider using restrictive fire lines (RFL) in situations where friendly forces are converging or are operating in close proximity to one another in an area not clearly delineated by unit boundaries or other control measures. 2-87. Maintaining BCT momentum is primarily an exercise in the movement of assets and timing. The ability of the sustainment structure to move forward with fuel, ammunition, and maintenance support not only determines the limits of advance for the BCT, but also may limit available fire support from the BCT’s field artillery battalion and other supporting field artillery. Consider aerial resupply for units in exploitation to help sustain the operation FIRE SUPPORT TASK ORGANIZATION CONSIDERATIONS SPECIFIC TO THE EXPLOITATION 2-88. Exploiting units should have as much air support (both fixed- and rotary-wing) as possible. These aircraft can: Operate effectively when enemy defenses are crumbling. Quickly deliver massive amounts of ordnance. Operate across wide sectors. Seek out, follow, and destroy withdrawing enemy forces. Block avenues of approach for counterattacking enemy forces.