ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Fire Support for Tactical Enabling and Other Tasks 1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 3-7 should allow early movement from that area to primary positions to support the future operation. Determine the likely azimuth of fire for the FPFs and the initial positions to be occupied. FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR COMBAT FORMATIONS 3-36. The BCT uses six basic formations—column, line, echelon, box, wedge, and vee. The BCT commander and staff must determine when, where, and how the BCT transitions into different movement formations based on the terrain and anticipated situation. The BCT commander ensures that subordinate and supporting units maintain the flexibility to adapt to new formations based on changes in the terrain and enemy situation. See also FM 3-90-1 and FM 3-90-2. 3-37. The BCT commander and staff consider the movement of fire support assets along with maneuver forces to ensure that responsive fires are available at all times. Personnel conducting the planning include the BCT S-3, S-2, field artillery battalion commander (FSCOORD) and fires cell planners, together with subordinate and supporting unit commanders, FSOs, and fires cells. All must integrate fire support into all tactical movement planning to synchronize the movement and positioning of fire support assets, ensure effective fires, and to avoid unnecessary road congestion. The BCT’s field artillery battalion S-3, acting for the field artillery battalion commander and in close collaboration with the brigade FSO and fires cell planners at the BCT main command post, is normally the lead in coordinating the movement of BCT fire support assets and firing units. FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR A RELIEF IN PLACE 3-38. The BCT FSCOORD and fire cell planners recommend FSCMs and identify the artillery and other fire support units that are available to support the relief. The fire support assets of both the relieved and relieving units support the relief action. 3-39. Until the transfer of command, all artillery remains under the relieved commander’s control. Units plan their fires to deceive the enemy and expedite the relief. Normal patterns of activity should be maintained (for example the average number of rounds fired per day or hour per day prior to the relief should be fired during the relief). Fire support units should not be relieved at the same time as the maneuver units they support. 3-40. Relieving artillery units do not normally occupy the firing positions of the relieved artillery unit unless the terrain limits the number of firing positions available. Artillery is normally relieved last. The relief plan must specify the method used in relieving artillery units. If possible, the relieved unit’s artillery and other fire support assets remain in place until all other relieved elements displace and are available to reinforce the fires of the relieving unit. The relieving unit’s artillery is normally the first unit into the area of operations and the relieved unit’s artillery is the last force out of the area of operations. If the purpose is to continue the attack, then the artillery of both forces generally remains in place to support the subsequent mission. 3-41. The relief plan must specify the technique used in relieving artillery units. Coordinate for target handover and clearance of fires. Relieving firing units should establish firing positions near the positions of the relieved unit and integrate their fires with that of the relieved unit. Occupation of firing positions at night or during periods of reduced visibility enhances operational security. FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR PASSAGE OF LINES 3-42. Once the passage of lines is ordered, the FSCOORD and brigade FSO of the passing force in a forward passage of lines should send a liaison section to the fires cell of the force in contact. In a rearward passage, the FSCOORD and brigade FSO of the stationary force should send a liaison section to the fires cell of the passing force. GENERAL FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR PASSAGE OF LINES 3-43. The commander, FSCOORD, brigade FSO, fire cell planners, and liaison officers of the units involved in the passage of lines define and assign mutually agreed upon fire support responsibilities to