ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
Page 58 of 308
Chapter 3 3-2 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 Provide fires in support of deception. Provide fire support assets to the supported reconnaissance force. Position field artillery units to support reconnaissance elements. FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR SECURITY OPERATIONS 3-5. Security operations are efforts by a commander to provide early and accurate warning of enemy operations, to provide the protected force with time and maneuver space to react to the threat, and to develop the situation to effectively employ the protected force. There are five tasks in security operations: screen, guard, cover, area security, and local security. 3-6. The screen, guard, and cover security tasks, respectively, contain increasing levels of combat power and provide increasing levels of security for the main body. Usually more combat power in the security force means less for the main body, however field artillery fires can be shifted rapidly from one area to another to provide support to maneuver forces where it is most needed. Area security preserves the commander’s freedom to move reserves, position fire support means, provide for mission command, and conduct sustaining operations. Local security provides immediate protection to the friendly force (see FM 3-90-2). As these tasks contain increasing levels of maneuver combat power, the availability of fire support increases as determined by the main body commander. Providing adequate indirect fire support to the security force may require the main body to position its artillery well forward in its formation. FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR SCREEN TASKS 3-7. The fire support and task organization considerations for screening operations are very similar to those of guard operations. Because screening forces often involve relatively fewer forces covering more terrain, responsive fire support is even more critical. Sensor-to-shooter linkages, quick fire channels, and coordination for pre-clearance of fires may be used to facilitate effective fire support. Quick-fire planning procedures may be used more frequently to modify fire support plans as the screening force situation develops. Positioning and security for the field artillery supporting screening forces should be given detailed consideration, as there may be greater risk of enemy penetration of the screening force. FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR GUARD TASKS 3-8. Some general fire support considerations for a guard force include: A field artillery force attached to a guard force must be as mobile as the supported force; in a fast movement to contact over extended distances, mobile field artillery units are necessary to keep up with the maneuver force. Positioning field artillery units is best done through close coordination between the maneuver and the field artillery headquarters. The brigade FSO and fires cell planners are in the best position at the BCT command post to locate, plan, and coordinate subsequent position areas. Position main body field artillery elements to support guard forces whenever possible. This may require nonstandard field artillery command or support relationships for the main body field artillery. Unmanned aircraft systems and other information collection systems may be used to help develop the situation; other aerial sensor information from higher headquarters may be linked directly or indirectly to security elements. Engage with the BCT SWO to obtain updates of weather effects assessments for all unmanned aircraft assets and attack helicopters based on current and forecast conditions. If available, FIST observers or attack helicopters designate targets for laser-guided munitions. Engage enemy command and control vehicles before the situation develops to allow the supported force to gain and retain the initiative. The advance guard must have enough firepower to destroy smaller-size elements; the limited number of maneuver units over a large area requires very responsive fire support. Fires are required to prevent decisive engagement of security forces or to support decisive engagements when unavoidable.