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 2-27 2-134. The handoff of the battle from security forces to defensive main effort forces is a critical point in the defense. Effective control is especially important to ensure a smooth changeover and continuous and effective fire support. Communications must be established between defensive main effort and covering forces before control of the operation changes. This is best achieved when both the defensive main effort force field artillery and the covering force field artillery monitor the same networks (generally those used by the covering force field artillery). Radio communications should prevent: Covering force field artillery having to change frequencies at a critical time. Issuing additional signal operating instructions extracts to units in the covering force. This reduces the possibility of signal operating instructions compromise. Early use of the defensive main effort force networks and possible detection by enemy jammers or direction-finding equipment before the defensive main effort fight. 2-135. The heavy use of close air support and Army aviation may be needed during combat operations. Enemy air defenses must be suppressed to let friendly aircraft operate in the airspace above or near those enemy defenses and their associated equipment and facilities. This requires a coordinated effort between air and land elements to locate enemy facilities and to plan and execute suppression of enemy air defenses with all available lethal and nonlethal means. Targets of concern to the air elements are processed at the BCT fires cell and then assigned to appropriate fire support or electronic attack assets. 2-136. Because fire support resources are limited, the BCT commander must indicate the priority for suppression of enemy air defenses and plan accordingly. Individual requests by flight leaders for fires in support of suppression of enemy air defenses are treated as targets of opportunity. 2-137. Counterpreparation fires may be used if the BCT commander desires. Acquisition resources and targeting efforts are directed toward detecting enemy forward elements, indirect fire support means, observation posts, command posts, and reserves. Note: Counterpreparation fire is intensive prearranged fire delivered when the imminence of the enemy attack is discovered (FM 3-09). Counterpreparation fire is designed to break up enemy formations; delay movement of reinforcements or reserves; disorganize the enemy’s system of command, communications, and observation; decrease the effectiveness of artillery preparation; and impair the enemy’s offensive spirit. 2-138. Use the memory aid AWIFM to assist fire support planners in organizing for combat (see the discussion on this memory aid as part of task-organizing field artillery within the BCT in chapter 6). Fire support is allocated with priority to the most vulnerable area. Usually, this area coincides with the enemy’s most likely avenues of approach and main effort. Fire support for the defense in general is most responsive when centrally controlled. Planners should consider weighting the most vulnerable areas of the defense with immediate responsive fires. Field artillery, close air support sorties, attack helicopters, electronic attack, electronic warfare support, and information collection (see the discussion in chapter 4 and FM 3-55) and target acquisition assets can be used to provide responsive support to forces bearing the brunt of the enemy’s attack. Fire support must be allocated as early as possible in the planning process for defensive operations to allow commanders enough preparation time. 2-139. Considerations for the field artillery battalion supporting a maneuver force area defense include: Plan counterfire (see chapter 5). Ensure adequate field artillery battalion fires are available for the battle handover and withdrawal of the security forces. Plan to forward position field artillery battalion firing units in support of security area operations. Engage approaching enemy formations at maximum range with indirect fires and close air support. Engage with the BCT SWO obtain weather effects assessments for all close air support assets based on current and forecast conditions. Develop clear triggers to adjust FSCMs and priorities for fires.