ATP-3-09-90 Division Artillery Operations and Fire Support Download
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Chapter 2 2-8 ATP 3-09.90 FIRE SUPPORT TASKS A fire support task is a task given to a fire support unit or organization that supports the commander's scheme of maneuver. A key action by the FSCOORD during mission analysis is to develop draft fire support tasks with task, purpose, and effect. A fire support task is an essential element of the fire support plan. The task states the supported maneuver task and the type(s) of effects the firing unit must provide for that phase of the operation. The task describes what fire support must accomplish to support the division operation. The effect identifies the desired result or outcome the delivered fires are to achieve. See ATP 3- 60 and FM 6-0. As the FSCOORD and staff war-game that task during planning, they identify an asset to accomplish it, and describe the desired effect to be created by accomplishing of that task. The purpose states the supported maneuver commander’s purpose and the desired end state for the targeted enemy formation, function, or capability. The purpose describes the why of the fire support task. In this case why is in order to disrupt the enemy’s ability to observe our breaching operation. DEVELOPING FIRE SUPPORT TASKS The purpose of the fire support tasks are to ensure that the maneuver commander's guidance for fires is accomplished. The audience for the fire support tasks is the maneuver commander and staff. The fire support tasks let the commander know that fires personnel understand and have specific tasks that accomplish the intent for fires. Fire support tasks drive the development of Annex D. The task describes what effects (for example, delay, disrupt, divert or destroy) fires must create on a target. The purpose describes why the task contributes to commander's objective. The effect quantifies successful accomplishment of the task. For more information on the development of fire support tasks see ATP 3-09.42. Steps in developing a fire support task: Determine the critical event for the phase of the operation. Determine the conditions that must be set. Identify those events that can't be achieved through maneuver. Identify the particular asset available. Identify any critical ammunition requirements. Develop the task, purpose, and effect based on the targeting objective. The FSCOORD, along with the fires cell determines the critical fire support event during a particular phase. For example, during the execution of offensive tasks the conduct of the breach is a critical event that requires fires to support the accomplishment of the task. During this process the FSCOORD, based on the initial commander’s guidance for fires, determines that obscuration smoke will be needed to disrupt enemy observation of the breaching forces. The most efficient means to deliver the amount of smoke needed to conceal the breaching forces is from indirect fires. The FSCOORD determines that there is a 155mm cannon battalion available when the smoke is needed. Based on the analysis by the FSCOORD the fire support task is as follows: Task- Disrupt enemy observation of breaching forces. Purpose- To allow breaching forces to conduct the breach without being engaged by effective direct and indirect fire. Effect- Enemy unable to observe breaching forces until breach is complete. Another example is a cannon FA battalion has been allocated to the DIVARTY and the fire support task is derived from the division mission-task statement as follows: NOTE: Example Division mission task statement: At 172100ZAUGXX (when) 8th Division (who) delays (what) enemy force A along route RED (where) until 180500ZAUGXX in order to prevent enemy force A from interfering with the rapid crossing of 51st (U.S.) Infantry Division over the Blue River (why). After being assigned this task, the division commander would give the staff planning guidance to include planning guidance for fires: “FSCOORD and fires cell planners use fires to delay enemy movement 12 October 2017