ATP-3-09-90 Division Artillery Operations and Fire Support Download
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Division Fire Support ATP 3-09.90 2-11 PLAN HOW TO ACCOMPLISH EACH FIRE SUPPORT TASK The G-2, G-3, FSCOORD and fires cell planners all work together as they determine how to execute each fire support task. They determine what unit or element can best execute the task based on the scheme of maneuver, the capabilities of acquisition assets, and the priorities of the information collection plan. In the case of division and FA battalion assets, they must also plan the operational requirements for getting them into position to conduct the execution of fires. This interaction also allows the staff to plan, coordinate, and synchronize the information collection plan. This includes development of a proposed organization for combat for division fires assets. Allocate or Request Delivery Assets and Build an Attack Plan An attack guidance matrix is a targeting product approved by the commander, which addresses the how and when targets are engaged and the desired effects (ATP 3-60). If the division commander has not directed how to engage a particular HPT, the staff builds the plan to create the effects the commander has directed and incorporates it into the AGM. The targeting officer with input from the targeting working group develops an AGM and may develop a target synchronization matrix for each COA to determine when to execute fires, in conjunction with appropriate aspects of information collection capabilities. As the staff discusses and builds the options, they can resolve SEAD, timing, and other coordination issues. Integrate Fires Events or Actions with Maneuver Planning At the division echelon and below, fires most often provide decisive close support or set conditions that permit the maneuver force to move to a position where it can dominate the enemy. The timing of fires with maneuver is essential for success. The FSCOORD and fires cell planners must fully understand the relative timing of maneuver and fires and establish triggers that reflect this timing. At a minimum, they must develop initial triggers they and the staff can refine during COA analysis (war gaming). A properly planned target has an observer and a trigger, and may be linked to a named area of interest (referred to as an NAI). The trigger may or may not be a decision point on the decision support template, but without a trigger, an observer has a low probability of facilitating the engagement of the target at the correct time. Ultimate responsibility for ensuring a target has an observer and a trigger lies with the maneuver commander who is assigned the target. Observer-trigger planning must be a formal process with the plan included in the fire support execution matrix. It must be synchronized with the scheme of maneuver to identify the implied tasks (for example, routes for and security of observers), all of which must be addressed and rehearsed. Planning redundancy of observers is an implied task critical to success. Another is ensuring observer responsibility is placed at a level that can be resourced adequately to perform the mission. A multitude of targets does not add flexibility to a plan, only volume and complexity. Joint Air Support Planning There are two distinct types of air operations for engaging enemy land forces with airpower – AI and CAS. Air interdiction are air operations conducted to divert, disrupt, delay, or destroy the enemy’s military surface capabilities before it can be brought to bear effectively against friendly forces, or to otherwise achieve objectives that are conducted at such distances from friendly forces that detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of friendly forces is not required (JP 3-03). Close air support is air action by manned or unmanned fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to friendly forces and that require detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of those forces (JP 3-0). Predominant weapons systems used in AI and CAS operations include aircraft equipped with cannons, bombs, standoff missiles, rockets, and EW systems. Air assets, space platforms, and SOF provide information collection as well as target cueing, navigation aids, and battle damage assessment (BDA). Each weapon system has unique characteristics that should be considered based on the nature of the threat, targets to be attacked, desired effects, and environmental conditions. 12 October 2017