ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 3 3-14 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 Plan FSCMs such as RFAs and RFLs and radar critical friendly zones (described in FM 3-09 and ATP 3-09.12) at the breach area, support-by-fire position(s), and the objective, once it has been secured by the rupture force. If necessary, position the brigade FSO or the assistant FSO as an alternate observer. Recommend that the BCT focus mortars on antitank weapon systems and dismounted infantry, and suggest additional smoke, if required. Use signals to communicate when the conditions have been met to commit the breach force. 3-69. Once the follow-and-assume force is deployed, it must rapidly develop and disseminate a fire plan designating sectors of fire and observation to ensure all possible enemy positions are covered. Observation is particularly critical. Field artillery observers with the follow-and-support force initially bring indirect fires on enemy positions to fix them in place. The observers should also cue the BCT’s field artillery battalion and its reinforcing artillery to prepare immediate counterfire. The follow-and-assume force then adjusts the mortar or field artillery-delivered obscuration. The follow-and-assume force is responsible for controlling fires for suppression and obscuration and for setting the conditions for the breach (described in FM 3-90-2). 3-70. The BCT commander may split allocation of indirect fire support suppression capabilities between two lead elements by giving priority of field artillery support to one company and priority of mortars to another. Effective suppression must be applied against the enemy’s fires, since the rupture force will be exposed for a lengthy period. Air support and electronic attack is planned for and employed, if available. 3-71. Field artillery and mortars provide smoke for obscuration. BCT field artillery and subordinate unit mortar platoons or sections should be positioned to fire the mission. Obscuration fires can be fired simultaneously with suppressive fires so that the smoke builds before the friendly forces move forward. Smoke is targeted and adjusted to obscure or screen the breach from direct fire. It is difficult to use smoke to obscure enemy fires on the obstacle during the breach because of the close proximity to friendly troops. Using a combination of HE and smoke as the last rounds completed during a preparation on the assault objective establishes a haze over the barrier, offering some obscuration to conceal the breach area. If wind conditions are favorable, the follow-and-assume force may establish a smoke line using smoke pots. See the discussion on smoke employment in Appendix A for details. 3-72. Fire control measures are essential, as both the follow-and-assume and the rupture forces are firing on the enemy when the operation begins. Suppression of overwatching enemy positions continues, and other enemy forces remain fixed by fires until the breach has been achieved and the enemy is destroyed or dislodged. The rupture force should assume control for direct fire on the assault objective as follow-and- assume force fires are lifted or shifted. See also ADRP 3-90, FM 3-90-1, FM 3-90-2, FM 3-96, ATP 3- 34.22, and Army tactics, techniques, and procedures (ATTP) 3-90.4. CLEARING (AREA AND ROUTES) 3-73. Clearing eliminates or neutralizes an obstacle. Follow-on engineers usually perform this operation. It is not done under fire. If the encountered obstacles are covered by fire, combined arms breaching operations may be necessary. See the fire support considerations for previously described breaching operations. GAP-CROSSING 3-74. A gap-crossing operation is a mobility operation consisting of river crossing, brigade-level crossing, and special gap crossing operations conducted to project combat power across a linear obstacle (wet or dry gap) (ATTP 3-90.4). 3-75. A gap-crossing is centrally planned and controlled as an offensive operation that requires the allocation of external crossing means and a force dedicated to establishing and securing the bridgehead. A gap-crossing requires specific procedures, detailed planning and different technical support than other tactical operations. It requires special equipment or materiel that is limited or nonexistent as organic assets in the BCT. The BCT must anticipate and plan for gap crossings. ATTP 3-90.4 provides details.