ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download
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1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 1-1 Chapter 1 Organization and Capabilities for Fire Support within the Brigade Combat Team Successful maneuver requires close coordination and effective employment of available fires. Maneuver and fires functions are inseparable and complementary dynamics of unified land operations. This chapter provides a summary of the brigade combat team’s (BCT) organization and capabilities for coordinating fire support and for delivering indirect fires and electronic attacks in support of BCT operations. Section I provides a brief overview of the BCT’s role, organization and employment in unified land operations. Section II follows with a description of BCT organization and capabilities for fire support coordination. Section III concludes with a discussion of indirect fire and electronic attack capabilities within the BCT. Fire support enablers within the BCT, including information collection, reconnaissance and surveillance, and fire support sustainment are described in Chapter 4. SECTION I – BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM OVERVIEW 1-1. Infantry, armored, and Stryker BCTs are the Army’s combat power building blocks for maneuver, and the smallest combined arms units that can be committed independently. Their core task is to close with the enemy by means of fire and movement to destroy or capture enemy forces, or to repel enemy attacks by fire, close combat and counterattack. BCTs conduct offensive, defensive, and stability tasks, and participate in Defense Support of Civil Authorities. BCTs conduct expeditionary deployment and integrate the efforts of the Army with civilian, joint, and multinational partners 1-2. The BCTs’ units and capabilities are tailorable to meet mission requirements. All BCTs include maneuver; field artillery; intelligence; signal; engineer; chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN), and sustainment capabilities. BCTs control, coordinate and direct the efforts of the battalions and companies to fight engagements and perform tactical tasks within division-level battles and major operations. 1-3. The infantry brigade combat team (IBCT) is an expeditionary, combined arms formation optimized for dismounted operations in complex terrain. Complex terrain is a geographical area consisting of an urban center larger than a village and/or of two or more types of restrictive terrain or environmental conditions occupying the same space (Army techniques publication [ATP] 3-34.80). The armored brigade combat team (ABCT) seizes enemy territory, destroys the enemy’s armed forces, and eliminates the enemy’s means of civil population control. ABCTs and IBCTs typically include a field artillery battalion, a brigade support battalion (BSB), and a brigade special troops battalion or brigade engineer battalion in addition to their two or more maneuver battalions and a cavalry squadron. Infantry BCT field artillery battalions are composite units having both the M119-series 105-millimeter (mm) and the M777-series 155- mm howitzer. Armored BCT field artillery battalions have only the M109-series 155-mm howitzer. 1-4. The Stryker brigade combat team (SBCT) is an expeditionary combined arms force organized around mounted Infantry. SBCT units operate effectively in most terrain and weather conditions due to their rapid strategic deployment and mobility. The role of the SBCT is to close with the enemy by means of fire and movement, to destroy or capture enemy forces, or repel enemy attacks by fire, close combat, and counterattack. Stryker BCTs have three maneuver battalions, a cavalry squadron, a brigade engineer battalion, a brigade support battalion and a field artillery battalion equipped with M777-series 155-mm howitzers.