ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 3-1 Chapter 3 Fire Support for Tactical Enabling and Other Tasks Tactical enabling and other tasks encompass a wide range of special purpose tasks the brigade combat team (BCT) may routinely undertake during the course of unified land operations. These tasks enable BCT execution of the tactical tasks – offensive, defensive, stability and Defense Support of Civil Authorities discussed in Chapter 2.Section I begins by discussing fire support considerations for the various tactical enabling tasks. Section II follows with a discussion of fire support considerations for urban operations. Section III concludes the chapter with a discussion of fire support considerations for air assault operations, fire support considerations while airborne, and fire support considerations for airborne, special operations forces, amphibious, Marine Corps, and multinational force operations. SECTION I – FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR TACTICAL ENABLING TASKS 3-1. Tactical enabling tasks include reconnaissance, security operations, troop movement, relief in place, passage of lines, encirclement operations, and mobility operations, FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR RECONNAISSANCE 3-2. Reconnaissance provides information concerning the disposition of an enemy force, the enemy’s intent, terrain conditions, and indications of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) contamination. Reconnaissance is the precursor to all operations and may be accomplished through passive surveillance, technical means, human interaction, or by fighting for information. In coordination with the S- 3, fire support coordinator (FSCOORD), brigade fire support officer (FSO), and fires cell planners, and other staff, the BCT S-2 plans information collection to help gather combat information. 3-3. The FSCOORD and fires cell planners coordinate the S-3’s tasking of sensors during development of the information collection plan with the BCT S-2, military intelligence company commander, and the cavalry squadron to acquire high-payoff targets by using air and ground observers and radars. The commander can use air reconnaissance to augment ground reconnaissance and can employ aerial sensors on unmanned aircraft systems in advance of ground maneuver reconnaissance. This allows aerial observation of named and targeted areas of interest and can cue the attack of targets. The staff refines target data based on the reconnaissance effort and situation changes. Reconnaissance helps locate and identify high-payoff targets that may include enemy fire support systems, thus enabling counterfire. 3-4. Fire support contributes to reconnaissance efforts. Based on the mission variables of METT-TC and in coordination with the S-2, S-3 and other staff, the BCT, FSCOORD, and fires cell planners plan fires in support of reconnaissance efforts. For example, fires cell planners can task weapon locating radar sections to cover key portions of the cavalry squadron’s area of operations. Company fire support teams (FIST) and observers can be allocated to support the cavalry squadron. Fire support considerations supporting reconnaissance may include: Orient on the location or movement of the reconnaissance objective. Report all information quickly and accurately. Help the reconnaissance force retain freedom of maneuver. Attack selected enemy information collection and target acquisition assets with fires. Provide immediate responsive fire support to reconnaissance force(s).