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 3-25 Table 3-1. BCT fire support planners urban operations guide sheet (continued) ammunition, observation, and lasing implications? • What is the external threat and what types of fires are needed outside of the urban area? Are there fire support blocking operations that prevent flanking movements or penetration of support areas or that isolate the battlefield and prevent enemy reinforcement? • What is the external threat and what types of fires are needed outside of the urban area? Are there fire support blocking operations that prevent flanking movements or penetration of support areas or that isolate the battlefield and prevent enemy reinforcement? • How can the BCT use the indirect fires limitations of urban operations on enemy mortars and field artillery to its advantage? • Have the BCT S-2, fires cell targeting officers, and field artillery battalion S-2 analyzed the urban terrain to identify potential enemy indirect fire locations for counterfire targeting? • What is the enemy mortar capability? Does the enemy possess many smaller, highly mobile mortars that can be easily positioned in range and moved around the battlefield? Where are they most likely to be employed and how is the threat countered? • If supporting field artillery is positioned outside of the urban area, what are the impacts on support for the maneuver operation and security for the field artillery unit? • How will limited visibility impact the ability to establish effective triggering decision points? How might the enemy use this to an advantage? ATTP – Army tactics, techniques, and procedures BCT – brigade combat team FSCM – fire support coordination measure S-2 – battalion or brigade intelligence staff officer Table 3-2. Field artillery battalion commander and S-3 battalion or brigade operations staff officer urban operations checklist • How are fire support tasks pertaining to the urban operation addressed? • What adjustments have been and must be made to clearance of fire procedures? • How will the firing positions, both inside and outside the urban terrain, be used? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? • Is a 6,400-mil (360 degree) firing capability a requirement? • Does the field artillery battalion operation order include increased use of alternate and supplementary positions to account for masking problems? • Have massed fire requirements been adequately identified and war-gamed to ensure that all necessary units will be able to participate when needed? • Have all fire direction centers been adequately briefed and trained on the block and building reference system used by maneuver forces and fire support personnel? • Is there an increased need to adjust in final protective fire(s)? • Is there an increased need to conduct registrations to account for mapping, survey, meteorological, or global positioning system shortfalls? • Have triggers for unit movements and ammunition resupply been adjusted to account for urban operations factors such as rubbling, narrow streets, and smaller resupply convoys? • Have routes been thoroughly researched to identify chokepoints, ambush points, or potentially confusing turns? Is military police support necessary or possible to ensure convoy movement? • Is self-defense direct fire against armor or dismounted infantry expected? Have responsibilities been assigned and rehearsed? What are the ammunition requirements? • What are the sniper/mine/booby trap threats to firing units? • What is the threat from enemy forces using sewers, subways, and other below ground routes? How thoroughly will areas be cleared of enemy troops or partisan forces? • Does meteorological data collection account for atmospheric conditions inside and outside the urban terrain— wind and temperature changes associated with varied structural differences throughout and around the city? • Have potential communication problems been identified and addressed? • Will additional security be necessary for radar, survey, and other small teams operating within urban terrain? LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR FIRE SUPPORT IN URBAN OPERATIONS 3-135. The large numbers of noncombatants potentially affected by urban operations are a major legal concern and increase the requirement for knowledgeable and active legal support. Whether noncombatants suffer the negative effects of urban combat or benefit from foreign humanitarian assistance, there are legal requirements and ramifications to every aspect of the operation. Further, the impact military operations