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 2-29 takes precautions to prevent fratricide as the striking force approaches the fixing force’s engagement areas and while supporting air and field artillery assets interdict enemy movements. 2-145. Considerations for a field artillery battalion supporting a maneuver force mobile defense include: Provide fires to assist maneuver forces in moving and disengaging. Provide counterfire. Provide timely cannon field artillery battalion fires to suppress enemy air defenses. Plan for the use of screening obscuration to support both the fixing and striking force. Synchronize the positioning and movement of the cannon field artillery battalion subordinate firing units and radars with the scheme of maneuver. Position ammunition stocks for each phase of the operation. 2-146. Specific considerations for cannon field artillery battalion target acquisition assets supporting a mobile defense include: Plan for frequent repositioning based on movement of the forward line of own troops. Position observers forward and along the flanks of both the fixing and striking force to observe and execute priority targets. Position radars as far forward as possible in the fixing force to maximize range and provide maximum flexibility as the striking force maneuvers to destroy enemy formations. Position radars to cover critical point targets. Employ unmanned aircraft systems forward of advancing maneuver units to detect enemy forces. Use unmanned aircraft systems to conduct reconnaissance of target areas of interest that include enemy indirect fires assets. Continually review timelines and coordination requirements necessary to maintain synchronization of observers/triggers, shooters, and decision makers for successive priority targets during for both fixing and striking forces. Monitor radar acquisitions for indications of scatterable mine emplacement by the enemy. Integrate reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition with the fixing force to slow and disorganize repositioning and withdrawing enemy forces. Engage with the BCT SWO to obtain weather effects assessments for all unmanned aircraft assets based on current and forecast conditions. 2-147. For more on cannon field artillery battalions see ATP 3-09.23. For more on field artillery target acquisition see ATP 3-09.12. For more on observed fires see ATP 3-09.30. For a discussion of the FAB and its role in supporting the BCT’s organic cannon field artillery battalion during a mobile defense see FM 3- 09 and ATP 3-09.24. FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR RETROGRADE 2-148. A retrograde is a defensive task that involves organized movement away from the enemy (ADRP 3-90). Retrograde includes delays, withdrawals, and retirements. Retrograde operations gain time, preserve forces, place the enemy in unfavorable positions, or avoids combat under undesirable conditions. 2-149. FM 3-90-1 provides a comprehensive discussion of the retrograde. FM 3-09 provides a summary description of fire support considerations for a field artillery brigade, MLRS/HIMARS battalion or cannon field artillery battalion supporting a maneuver unit during a retrograde. GENERAL FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR RETROGRADE 2-150. General fire support considerations for a cannon field artillery battalion supporting a maneuver force retrograde are the same as those for a mobile defense.