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 3-27 FSCOORD or FSO are on the ground, the operations and fire support planning and coordination functions are transferred from the airborne platform to the assaulting force. At first, the forces on the ground are concerned with close-in targets. The airborne fires cell initially controlled fires in preparation for the assault and subsequently fires to isolate the landing zone or drop zone. As the airhead matures, the ground commander progressively assumes total responsibility. The airborne command and control system platform usually departs after battle handover to the ground commander has been completed. 3-142. The FSCOORD and fires cell planners develop fire support plans for the execution of an air assault operation. Regardless of the type of mission, the force size, or the duration of the operation, the assault force develops five basic plans upon receipt of the warning order. The staging, loading, air movement, landing, and ground tactical plans are developed in a reverse sequence and discussed in that order. GROUND TACTICAL PLAN 3-143. The ground tactical plan includes the schemes of maneuver and fires that the unit will use on the ground. The plan includes all actions from the time the unit has assembled through the completion of the operation. The most likely infantry operation to occur in the initial stage of an airborne assault is the hasty attack followed by the establishment of a perimeter defense. Control of fire support assets is highly centralized. 3-144. After the assaulting force completes its consolidation of the landing zone or drop zone, the force is reorganized, as necessary, and prepares to implement the ground tactical plan. Depending on the plan, fire support considerations for offensive and defensive tasks apply. Fire planning should emphasize: Block enemy avenues of approach to the landing zone or drop zone. Eliminate enemy resistance. Defend the airhead. 3-145. Control of mortars, especially battalion-level mortars, may initially be difficult due to separated weapon and crew landing locations. Another important consideration is ammunition availability. Knowing the location and amount of mortar ammunition is crucial to coordinating current fire support and facilitating future plans. LANDING PLAN 3-146. The landing phase, developed concurrently with the ground phase, consists of the time, place, and sequence of the air assault task force arrival into the landing zones. Primary and alternate landing zones are selected for each unit. The assaulting force FSCOORD and fires cell planners should review the plan to ensure that fire support personnel and equipment are correctly cross-loaded. The loss of aircraft should not completely disrupt fire support provided to the assaulting force. The FSCOORD or FSO should also ensure that all fire support personnel understand their assembly instructions on the landing zone or drop zone. The FSCOORD or FSO should also review the pre-assault fire plan to ensure that it supports the assaulting force commander’s plan. Consideration should be given to the level of surprise desired, rules of engagement, collateral damage, and airfield, airhead, or drop zone damage. 3-147. If a landing zone or drop zone is expected to be cold, mortars should be sent in early so that mortar sections can set up and prepare ammunition for any enemy reactions to the air assault. If the zone is expected to be hot, mortars may land later to avoid being caught in a direct fire battle. Survey is generally not available on the landing zone or drop zone; hence, hasty survey methods should be relied upon. The field artillery and mortars should be placed on a common grid as soon as possible. 3-148. It may be desirable to make the initial assault without scheduled fires to achieve tactical surprise. Otherwise, planned fires should include targets: Of known or suspected enemy forces regardless of size. In support of the deception plan. For the primary and alternate landing or drop zones. 3-149. Fire support plans should be short in duration and intense in the volume of fire, providing maximum surprise and shock effects. Ordnance for these plans should not create unnecessary obstacles to