ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Fire Support for Tactical Tasks During Brigade Combat Team Operations 1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 2-19 2-96. Available ammunition may initially be limited. Units may be forced to rely more on fires to suppress (rather than neutralize or destroy) in order to conserve ammunition. 2-97. Other considerations for BCT fire support during entry operations include: Plan fires to separate the enemy’s forces by echelon to buy time and allow maneuver forces to expand the lodgment. Plan for use of attack/reconnaissance helicopters. Conduct entry operations during periods of limited visibility to take advantage of our night vision capabilities. Conduct initial reconnaissance for positioning by map or air. Displacement may be by air. Decentralize control of battery movement. Plan for encirclement operations, breakout operations, and linkup operations. Plan for 6,400-mil firing requirements. FIRE SUPPORT TASK ORGANIZATION CONSIDERATIONS FOR ENTRY OPERATIONS 2-98. Initially consider decentralization of fire support assets. As the situation develops, fire support assets and fires can be centralized to complement joint fires, if employed. FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE RESERVE 2-99. A reserve is that portion of a body of troops that is withheld from action at the beginning of an engagement, in order to be available at a decisive moment (ADRP 3-90). Because the time, place, and circumstances for committing the reserve is difficult to predict, units frequently rely on hasty fire support planning techniques to modify established fire plans or to create new fire plans immediately prior to the reserve’s employment. For more on the reserve see ADRP 3-90, FM 3-90-1, and FM 3-96. GENERAL FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR UNITS IN RESERVE 2-100. To support commitment of the reserve during movement, plan fires: To deceive the enemy that the reserve is to be committed elsewhere. Fires that support deception may be massed fires and obscurants delivered on forward enemy elements. At the breakthrough point or at the point of assault to create a hole in the enemy defenses. For suppression throughout the breakthrough area. On the enemy’s flanks and rear where counterattacking forces are committed. On the way to the objective. On bypassed enemy elements. On the objective to suppress, neutralize, or destroy targets. To strike at objectives in depth as enemy dispositions are revealed. This is to support the committed reserves and to break up the enemy’s coordination of the attack. Beyond the objective to prevent counterattacks, to help consolidate on the objective, and to prevent enemy reinforcement of the objective area. 2-101. Plan for FSCMs such as: Coordinated fire lines that are placed well forward to ensure that the force will not outrun them. Restrictive fire areas (RFA) that may safeguard friendly strong points. 2-102. Ensure fires are continuous until the maneuver closes. Plan and integrate graphic control measures to facilitate rapid clearance of fires upon commitment of the reserve. Plan to rearm, refit, and refuel fire support assets before assuming on-order missions. FIRE SUPPORT TASK ORGANIZATION CONSIDERATIONS FOR UNITS IN RESERVE 2-103. When the BCT is designated as a reserve force, the division commander may assign its fire support assets other support relationships prior to the brigade’s commitment. For example, the division may