ATP-3-09-42 Fire Support for the Brigade Combat Team Download

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Organization and Capabilities for Fire Support within the Brigade Combat Team 1 March 2016 ATP 3-09.42 1-5 1-26. A fire mission is the specific assignment given to a fire unit as part of a definite plan; an order used to alert the weapon and battery area and indicate that the message following is a call for fire (TC 3-09.81). A call for fire is a request for fire containing data necessary for obtaining the required fire on a target (FM 3- 09). 1-27. The BCT’s field artillery battalion typically has an organic command relationship, but the BCT commander may assign a support relationship directly to subordinate units of the BCT. A FAB, United States (U.S.) Marine Corps, or multinational artillery units may reinforce a BCT field artillery battalion. ARMORED BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM CANNON FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION 1-28. The armored BCT cannon field artillery battalion is restructuring from two firing batteries of eight M109-series Paladin self-propelled 155-mm howitzers to three firing batteries of six M109-series self- propelled howitzers. The firing batteries are manned and equipped to operate as two 3-gun firing platoons. STRYKER BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM CANNON FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION 1-29. The Stryker BCT cannon field artillery battalion has three 6-gun lightweight M777-series 155-mm towed howitzer firing batteries. Each firing battery is organized with two 3-gun firing platoons. INFANTRY BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM CANNON FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION 1-30. The infantry BCT cannon field artillery battalion is restructuring to a composite battalion of two 6- gun M119-series 105-mm towed howitzer batteries and one 6-gun M777-series 155-mm towed howitzer battery. The firing batteries in a battalion are organized into two 3-gun firing platoons. Selected airborne battalions are organized with fewer guns. Table 1-1 provides a summary of howitzer distribution within the BCTs. Table 1-1. Distribution of howitzers within the BCT Indirect Fire Weapons Quantities Unit Distribution ABCT 155-mm howitzers (M109-series) 18 3x6 cannon field artillery battalion. SBCT 155-mm howitzers (M777-series) 18 3x6 cannon field artillery battalion. IBCT 105-mm (M119-series) and 155-mm (M777-series) howitzers 6, 12, or 18 3x6 cannon field artillery battalion. Selected airborne units are 2x6 (1 105-mm battery, 1 155-mm battery) or 1 battery of 105-mm howitzers. Legend ABCT – armored brigade combat team IBCT – infantry brigade combat team SBCT – Stryker brigade combat team mm - millimeters A COMMON ORGANIZATION FOR CANNON FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALIONS 1-31. All cannon field artillery battalions are organized with a headquarters and headquarters battery and one to three firing batteries. The typical BCT field artillery battalion includes three firing batteries, a target acquisition platoon headquarters team, weapon locating radar sections (radar types and numbers vary), two survey teams, a counterfire operations section, one or more fire support platoons, and a lightweight countermortar radar section. The number and composition of fire support platoons and fires cells vary based upon the type of unit supported. The battalion is typically augmented with a forward support company from the BSB. Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 1-32. The headquarters and headquarters battery typically consists of a battery headquarters, battalion command section, and personnel, intelligence, operations, supply, and communications sections, a fire support platoon, a medical platoon, and a unit ministry team.