ATP-3-09-90 Division Artillery Operations and Fire Support Download
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Chapter 2 2-34 ATP 3-09.90 the fire support rehearsal. Division staff officers attending include the G-2, assistant chief of staff, logistics (referred to as the G-4), assistant chief of staff, signal (referred to as the G-6), targeting officer, field artillery intelligence officer, and liaison officers. For more information on rehearsals see FM 6-0 and ATP 3-09.42. CLEARANCE OF FIRES Clearance of fires is the process by which the supported commander ensures that fires or their effects will have no unintended consequences on friendly units or the scheme of maneuver (FM 3-09). The supported ground commander is responsible for the clearance of fires, including the integration of fires with other airspace users. The commander establishes, or requests higher headquarters establishment of control measures (such as graphic control measures, direct fire control measures, ACMs, and FSCMs. These serve as a means of separating units, synchronizing fires with maneuver, facilitating clearance of fires, and aid in the prevention of fratricide. The commander may not employ indirect fires across boundaries without receiving clearance from the unit into whose AO the fires will impact. The commander may employ direct fires across boundaries without clearance at specific point targets that are clearly and positively identified as enemy (FM 3-90-1). Commanders may consider early coordination to also grant clearance for indirect fires against targets. Airspace clearance coordination remains necessary in any situation. Clearance of fires needs to include procedures for the clearance of airspace with the airspace element and the ASOC and the JAGIC. Positive clearance of fires is normally facilitated through detailed planning, rehearsals, and careful placement of FSCMs. However, the clearance of targets of opportunity often presents challenges. Fires on targets of opportunity must be delivered on short notice without undue delay and without jeopardizing friendly force security. For positive clearance of fires, the following should be obtained: Best available method of target location. Positive identification of targets. Eyes on target, if possible. Clearances from appropriate external elements if target is outside unit boundaries. Clearance of fires should usually be centralized at the fires cell, especially for the close battle. The fires cell duties include coordinating with the air defense air management/brigade aviation element and ALO regarding airspace clearance, artillery and mortar firing unit locations as well as changes to FSCMs, ACMs, and aviation support. The tactical CP is the element that has the most current information on the close fight and can clear fires quicker and more efficiently than any other fires cell. The tactical CP may also control some of the deep attack operations. However, the main CP may often have a more accurate status on the deep battle, including the location of elements such as SOF and air assets. The tactical SOP should clearly delineate clearance of fires responsibilities between the fires cells at the main and tactical CPs. The TSOPs should also outline the procedures and responsibilities within each fires cell. The delineation of clearance of fires responsibilities must be reinforced with constant coordination between fires cells. SECTION II – FIRE SUPPORT PREPARATION When the OPLAN or OPORD is issued, the division staff, fire support planners focus their efforts on preparing for the operation. Their actions should include: Present fire support portions of the OPLAN or OPORD briefing. The fire support orders brief will normally include the scheme of fires; fire support tasks, HPTs, HPTL; availability of fire support sustainment assets, status, allocation and priority; clearance of fires procedures; TSS, AGM; FSCMs; the cutoff time for target refinement; the rehearsal instructions, and the communications and retransmission requirements. Distribute the OPLAN or OPORD. Assist subordinate units and staff with planning and coordination. Supervise preparations to include implementation of risk management (see ATP 5-19) controls. 12 October 2017