ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 3 3-30 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 The communications plan including: signal operating instructions extract; primary and alternate fire support frequencies; retransmission; communications exercise/rehearsal times; network discipline; and backup radios. Coordinate with the BCT SWO to provide a weather effects assessment on the employment of fires assets based on current and forecast weather conditions. OTHER FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR AIR ASSAULT OPERATIONS 3-160. To provide targeting information for fires in support of shaping operations for an air assault, the BCT S-2, FSCOORD, and brigade fire support planners generally require access to information collection and target acquisition assets from division, corps, theater army and higher echelons. The air assault task force is most vulnerable to enemy indirect fires immediately after landing. Coverage by both BCT-organic and higher echelon information collection and target acquisition assets should be planned to help in the counterfire effort. 3-161. Fire support planners should carefully consider the munitions used for suppression of enemy air defenses to ensure that they provide the required support while not interfering with, or endangering, air assets. Smoke, white phosphorus, variable time-fuzed, and improved conventional munitions are often used to maximize the effects of fires for suppression of enemy air defenses. However, obscuration munitions can also obscure a pilot’s view of the target, and improved conventional munitions bomblets can present an aerial hazard during dispersal when improved conventional munitions are used in the vicinity of aircraft operations. 3-162. Use retransmission assets to ensure continuous communication between the FSO controlling the fires during the movement and the assets providing those fires. Plan for the primary or alternate use of visual signals (flares and colored smoke). Coordinate the use of signal operating instructions for the air assault forces and the supporting forces. 3-163. Appropriate load planning is critical (units may not be able to move as a whole). Make reconnaissance by map or by air. Leaders should maintain situational awareness while en route. Displacement can be by air or ground. 3-164. Assault force field artillery may have limited ammunition. Sustainment should include all classes of supply (but primarily Class V), and should be planned, prioritized, and synchronized with the maneuver plan. Medical evacuation will most likely be done with rotary-wing aircraft. 3-165. Guidelines useful for planning fire support for BCT air assault operations include: Based on the BCT commander’s guidance and mission variables of METT-TC, determine what fire support is required for the mission (such as landing zone preparation, suppression of enemy air defenses, and preparation fire on false landing zones). Alert the division, corps and theater army fires cells; request additional assistance if necessary. Alert fire support delivery assets (field artillery, mortars, close air support, attack helicopters, naval surface fire support, and electronic attack). Query artillery target intelligence and S-2 files to assist in route, pickup zone, and landing zone selection. Determine flight routes, both ingress and egress, for the air assault task force with the S-3, S-2, and with the Army aviation unit(s) liaison officer(s). Query S-2 for development of targets for fires in support of the loading plan, air movement plan, landing plan, and the ground tactical plan. Develop an initial target list. Plan fires on known and suspected enemy positions, on key terrain, around the landing zone (fires for suppression of enemy capabilities during the air assault and forces for blocking during consolidation), on and around false landing zones; and in support of the ground tactical plan. Determine flight times, phase lines, checkpoints, and code words with the S-3, S-2, and Army aviation liaison officer. Determine abort criteria and procedures.