FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
Page 118 of 256
Chapter 6 6-8 FM 3-09 30 April 2020 Figure 6-1. Defensive arrangement FIRE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DEFENSE 6-37. Successful defenses are aggressive and strive to regain the initiative from attacking enemy forces. FS plays a critical role in facilitating the following characteristics of the defense. The characteristics of the defense are disruption, flexibility, maneuver, mass and concentration, operations in depth, preparation, and security. DISRUPTION 6-38. Disruption actions include deceiving or destroying enemy reconnaissance forces, breaking up combat formations, separating echelons, and impeding an enemy force's ability to synchronize its combined arms. FS plays a key role in disrupting an attacker's tempo and synchronization. Considerations include: Employ fires to neutralize and destroy enemy artillery and mortar, TA, C2 nodes, and logistics systems. Disrupt enemy sustainment efforts and troop movements (consider destroying bridges). Ensure integration of fires in support of obstacles. Assist in defeating enemy reconnaissance forces, separating enemy forces, isolating enemy units, and attacking or disrupting enemy systems. FLEXIBILITY 6-39. Flexibility is the employment of a versatile mix of capabilities, formations, and equipment for conducting operations (ADP 3-0). Defensive operations require flexible plans that anticipate enemy actions and allocate resources accordingly. FS must address the need for flexibility and the need to: Allocate initial priority of FA fires to forward security forces. Quickly shift fires to critical points throughout the AO. Execute successive or concurrent programs or fire plans.