ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 2 2-24 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 Determine what effects the contribution of fires to shaping operations must create on enemy formations by avenue of approach. Determine how the effects from fires will support the main effort. Define the task(s) and purpose for subordinate units. Establish priorities for sustainment. 2-118. The staff concurrently develops plans to integrate obstacle and fire support plans with the scheme of maneuver. The commander drives integration by stating the desired effects from fire support and from obstacles. The commander states how to mass the effects of direct and indirect fires, including appropriate aspects of information operations and cyber electromagnetic activities, in conjunction with obstacles to shape the battlefield to support the main effort. 2-119. Fire support systems support security forces by using both precision and area munitions to destroy enemy reconnaissance and high-payoff targets, and by delivering on-call fires at appropriate times and places. Fire support facilitates the withdrawal of security forces once their mission has been accomplished. 2-120. Air support can play an important part in delaying enemy forces that are following or attempting to bypass defending forces. Fixed-wing air support operating with Army helicopters form joint air attack teams employed to search out and attack high-payoff target sets. Air interdiction operations contribute to denying the enemy any advantage associated with the freedom of movement. Field artillery fires and electronic attack suppress enemy air defenses while available air resources operate in the target area(s). 2-121. During close combat, fire support assets continue to target enemy combat units to kill the enemy, force early deployment, and to disrupt the timing and cohesion of the enemy’s attack thereby denying an ability to mass threat combat power. 2-122. Fire support assets extend the attack to enemy follow-on forces by engaging them well before they are committed to close combat. High-value targets such as command and control facilities and logistic sustainment sites are attacked, further isolating the attacking forces. A high-value target is a target the enemy commander requires for the successful completion of the mission (JP 3-60). Such attacks deny the enemy’s ability to sense, control and synchronize efforts to overwhelm the friendly defense force. 2-123. The BCT commander employs responsive fire support (from available air, ground, and sea resources) during the defense to protect and ensure freedom of maneuver to forces in contact with the enemy. The fire support planners take advantage of the range and flexibility of fire support weapons to mass fires at critical points, such as obstacles, and to generate effects from fires in engagement areas that slow and canalize the enemy and provide better targets for direct fire systems. Fire support systems cover barriers, gaps, and open areas within the defensive area. Tasks assigned to fire support systems include: Mass fires to suppress enemy direct and indirect fire systems to facilitate defensive maneuver, especially counterattack and disengagement. Attack enemy field artillery and forward air defense systems. Neutralize or isolate enemy forces that have penetrated the defensive area and impede the movement of enemy reserves. Separate attacking enemy combat vehicles from dismounted infantry, thus disrupting the enemy’s combat power. Close previously breached obstacle gaps with artillery delivered mines. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE CANNON FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION IN SUPPORT OF DEFENSIVE TASKS. 2-124. Repositioning to alternate or supplemental positions may often be reactive during early stages of the defense. In response to shallow enemy penetrations, the field artillery battalion normally repositions its weapons systems laterally, away from the point of penetration. This allows field artillery systems to provide fire support throughout the area of penetration. The field artillery battalion may also experience rearward movement until the friendly maneuver force stabilizes the line, slows the enemy advance, or is able to better anticipate enemy actions.