ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 3 3-26 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 have on the local infrastructure must be carefully monitored. Some infrastructure provides service to noncombatants that, if destroyed or significantly curtailed, could result in their displacement or increase the level of human suffering. The laws of armed conflict restrict the targeting of certain infrastructure. 3-136. The law of war consists of a number of general principles that must be considered by the commander in evaluating all uses of force. Four of the most important ones are discrimination, military necessity, unnecessary suffering and proportionality: Discrimination – Distinguish between combatants, who may be attacked, and noncombatants who may not be attacked. Military necessity – Use only those measures that are necessary for securing the military objective as soon as possible, unless forbidden by international or domestic law. Unnecessary suffering – The prohibition of using weapons, projectiles, or other materials, which, by their nature or manner of use, are calculated to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering. Proportionality – The injury to persons and damage to property incidental to military action must not be excessive in relation to the direct military advantage anticipated. RULES OF ENGAGEMENT 3-137. Legal factors are but one element of the rules of engagement; national policy and political objectives also play an essential role in the drafting of rules of engagement. Often the rules of engagement will include some restrictions on weapons and targets, and provide the BCT commander with guidelines to ensure the greatest possible protection of noncombatants consistent with military necessity. TARGETING CONSIDERATIONS 3-138. One of the major areas of consideration in the law of war is that of targeting. There are few absolutes in targeting, but the application of the general principles applies. Commanders must confirm that targets support military objectives. The following may be considered to be in that category: Members of the armed forces having the status of combatants. Non-combatants who lose protected status by taking a direct part in hostilities. Objects that by their nature, location, purpose, or use, are considered to be either military property, or contributing to the enemy’s war effort. Their destruction provides a military advantage. 3-139. Although civilians, noncombatants, and civilian property may not be specifically targeted, incidental injury and collateral damage are not unlawful if caused incident to an attack on a lawful target, and the incidental injury and collateral damage are not excessive in proportion to the anticipated military advantage gained from the attack. Targeting issues are important not only in urban combat operations, but also in irregular situations where an enemy, in violation of the law of war, may use civilians to mask attacks or as unlawful combatants. For more on urban operations see ATP 3-60, ATTP 3-06.11, and JP 3- 60. See also FM 1-04. SECTION III – FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR OTHER OPERATIONS FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR AIR ASSAULT AND AIRBORNE OPERATIONS 3-140. Field artillery participation in an air assault or airborne operation is characterized by maximum decentralization of mission command and control of fires. Fire support assets are positioned to support the assaulting force, attack targets in support of shaping operations, suppress bypassed enemy units, and facilitate fire support for future operations. See FM 3-99 for more information on airborne and air assault operations. 3-141. During the initial assault phase of the operation, control and communications may be conducted from an airborne platform as discussed later in this chapter. When the assaulting forces commander and the