FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
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Fire Support in Depth During Large-Scale Ground Combat Operations 30 April 2020 FM 3-09 6-7 COMMON DEFENSIVE CONTROL MEASURES 6-32. Commanders control a defense by using control measures that provide flexibility needed to allow defending commanders to concentrate combat power and the decisive point. Below are defensive control measures that every fire support leader should understand in order to best support the maneuver commander. A complete listing of defensive control measures is found in ADP 3-90. 6-33. The security area is that area occupied by a unit's security elements and includes the areas of influence of those security elements (ADP 3-90). It may be located as necessary to the front, flanks, or rear of a protected unit, facility, or location. FS in the security area engages enemy reconnaissance elements early in order to delay, disrupt, or limit the enemy's advance. FS is planned to assist the maneuver in moving and disengaging as well as integrating FS and obstacle plans to ensure obstacles are covered by direct observation. FS considerations for defensive operations in the security area will be discussed in subsequent under reconnaissance and security operations. See figure 6-1 on page 6-8. 6-34. The main battle area is the area where the commander intends to deploy the bulk of combat power and conduct his decisive operations to defeat an attacking enemy (ADP 3-90). Normally, most of the defending force is deployed in the main battle area (MBA) to defeat the enemy's main attack. The mission of the MBA forces at corps level covers the entire spectrum of operations. Thus, while the corps as a whole may be engaged in defensive operations, units within the corps AOR (divisions, BCTs, TFs) may be conducting any type of defensive or offensive operation in the MBA. FS for the MBA is allocated with the priority to the most vulnerable area which usually coincides with the enemy's most likely avenues of approach and main attack. These areas must be weighed more heavily with immediately responsive fires such as CAS and DS or R field artillery. Detailed FS considerations for defensive operations and offensive operations in the MBA are discussed later in this chapter. See figure 6-1 on page 6-8. 6-35. The forward edge of the battle area is the foremost limits of a series of areas in which ground combat units are deployed to coordinate fire support, the positioning of forces, or the maneuver of units, excluding areas in which covering or screening forces are operating (JP 3-09.3) See figure 6-1 on page 6-8. FS short of the forward edge of the battle area consists of close support tasks such as supporting friendly units in contact, supporting strongpoints, supporting obstacles, suppressing and obscuring enemy overwatch positions, supporting counterattacks, and coordinating CAS and attack aviation to engage enemy armored formations. See figure 6-1 on page 6-8. 6-36. The forward line of own troops is a line that indicates the most forward positions of friendly forces in any kind of military operation at a specific time (JP 3-03). In the defense, it may be beyond, at, or short of the forward edge of the battle area. FS beyond the FLOT acquires and engages enemy reconnaissance elements early in order to delay, disrupt, or limit the enemy's advance into the security area. The CFL should be kept as close as possible to the FLOT in both offensive and defensive operations. FS personnel must maintain continual awareness of SOF, multinational and unified action partners operating beyond the FLOT to expedite clearance of fires and reduce chances of fratricide. See figure 6-1 on page 6-8.