ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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Chapter 3 3-38 ATP 3-09.42 1 March 2016 exercised with little dissimilarity by Army and Marine Corps artillery units. One exception is that the Marine Corps artillery unit cannot provide FSOs or forward observers to supported Army maneuver units. Army fire support personnel who are attached to the Army maneuver unit provide these fire support functions. The Marine Corps artillery’s firing unit, linked by frequency-modulation radio communications, performs firing operations. 3-218. The primary mission of the MAGTF air combat element is to support the MAGTF. The joint force commander has the authority to apportion Marine Corps air support when the MAGTF commander identifies excess sorties that are not required to support MAGTF operations. There are six functions of Marine Corps aviation: offensive air support, antiair warfare, assault support, aerial reconnaissance, electronic warfare and control of aircraft and missiles. For more on operating with Marine Corps forces including their organization and capabilities see FM 3-09, ATP 3-52.2, and Marine Corps Warfighting Publication (MCWP) 3-16. FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR MULTINATIONAL FORCE OPERATIONS 3-219. The key to effective fire support in a multinational environment is the understanding of the nature of the multinational force. If the force is an alliance, such as NATO, then the mechanism for coordination and synchronization should be incorporated into member nation doctrine through the inclusion of standardization agreements (STANAGs). If the force is a coalition force, then the multinational force commander should create a coalition agency for the control of multinational fire support. The mechanism for controlling fires throughout the multinational force will have to be developed. If a lead nation is established, then at national contingency level, the lead nation’s procedures will be used. In those elements below national contingency level, national procedures are used. 3-220. There are two ways of controlling fires: either the lead nation can provide its tactical fire control systems to the other nations at national contingency level; or if there is no lead nation or the lead nation is unable to provide tactical fire control systems, then competent and well-trained liaison officers must be used. An exchange of liaison personnel down to the lowest possible echelon along the common boundary will ease synchronization and fire support coordination. These liaison officers must understand the doctrine and procedures of their own nation and be capable of representing their commanders. Liaison personnel must not only be tactically and technically competent, but also ideally, should be proficient in the language of the force to which they are providing liaison. They must also be properly equipped with communications assets, transportation and necessary supplies, references, and checklists for sustained operations. 3-221. The types and capabilities of fire support available from other nations will be varied. Fire support planners must understand each nation’s fire support assets and capabilities in order to assist the BCT commander in assigning missions to units. This is necessary to prevent the assignment to a member nation force of a mission that it cannot support. Out of national pride, a member nation force may be unwilling to decline the mission or to even mention its unsuitability for the mission. 3-222. The FSCOORD and fires cell planners should know as much as possible about the fire support available to the multinational force. As early in the planning process as possible, and as soon as countries are identified, they should begin developing a profile on each nation’s capabilities. Early exchange of liaison officers can greatly facilitate development of the profiles. Each profile should include: What assets are available, their capabilities, and munitions types. Both lethal and nonlethal assets; information collection and target acquisition assets; meteorological support; and fire support related or capable sustainment elements. The training of each unit by asset. When each asset will be available. 3-223. The FSCOORD and fires cell planners should ensure that all FSOs and fires cell personnel, including those of subordinate and supporting units, understand the important role liaison officers serve (both those sent out and those received). They must ensure liaison officers are properly used and incorporated into the fire support planning process. The staff sections, cells, or elements that, when available, normally combine to integrate fire support operations at the BCT include: