ATP-3-09-90 Division Artillery Operations and Fire Support Download
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ATP 3-09.90 B-1 Appendix B Counterfire This appendix discusses techniques for conducting counterfire. Section I breaks down what is counterfire. Section II covers counterfire in support of decisive action. Section III details the execution of counterfire. SECTION I – COUNTERFIRE B-1. Counterfire is fire intended to destroy, or neutralize enemy weapons (JP 3-09). Counterfire gains freedom for maneuver by destroying or neutralizing the enemy indirect fire capabilities. Counterfire can be accomplished by using different fire support assets to include joint fires. Counterfire must be synchronized and integrated with the current and future scheme of maneuver. Counterfire is proactive, reactive, or a combination of both. OVERVIEW B-2. Counterfire accomplishes proactive measures through targeting enemy indirect fire systems, including their command and control, sensors, platforms, and logistics before they engage friendly forces. The proactive measures consists of zone management, site analysis, and position survivability considerations. Proactive measures for counterfire begin with targeting during the MDMP and continue throughout the operation. The intelligence officer and the targeting officer develop named areas of interest and target areas of interest where the enemy indirect fire assets are anticipated and assign collection assets to those areas. B-3. Reactive m e a s u r e s f o r counterfire provide immediate indirect fires to neutralize, destroy, and suppress enemy indirect fire weapons once acquired. The fire support systems respond primarily to enemy mortar and artillery fires during or immediately following enemy engagements and actions directly or indirectly focused against friendly forces. Reactive measures for counterfire usually require quick response capabilities for optimum effectiveness and can benefit from the establishment of quickfire channels. B-4. A quickfire channel can be established using digital (preferred) or voice communications. A quickfire channel allows for rapid engagement of radar acquisitions by streamlining the acquisition of target to shooter link. For example the radar can send its acquisitions straight to a firing unit AFATDS. Positive controls must be established when using a quickfire channel to ensure all clearance of fires procedures are executed. B-5. All intelligence and TA assets to include WLRs must be prioritized to accurately locate targets. Attack assets must be dedicated to attacking the enemy’s total fire support system. B-6. The FSCOORD is the primary advisor and the DIVARTY is the usual executor of the division counterfire fight. WLRs are positioned to support the division commander’s scheme of maneuver during the offense and provide radar coverage for the most vulnerable assets during the defense. SECTION II – COUNTERFIRE IN SUPPORT OF DECISIVE ACTION B-7. Operations conducted outside the United States and its territories simultaneously combine three elements—offense, defense, and stability. COUNTERFIRE IN SUPPORT OF OFFENSIVE TASKS B-8. The primary role of the WLRs in the offense is to locate enemy targets for attack by friendly fire support systems. During the offense, particular attention must be given to planning WLR moves to ensure continuous operations as the attack progresses. 12 October 2017