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 6-11 Phase 1 includes: enemy forward elements, indirect fire systems, observation posts. Phase 2 includes enemy command posts, communication and reserves while attacking of indirect fire systems continues. 6-48. During an area defense, FS assists in shaping operations that constrain the enemy into a specific COA or fix them in a given location. These actions limit the enemy's options. The supported commander covers obstacles with fires that turn, or block to limit the options available to the enemy. The decisive operation focuses fires into EAs, possibly supplemented by a counterattack. The supported commander directs reconnaissance, surveillance and TA WLR assets to determine the locations, strengths and probable intentions of the attacking enemy force. Specific FS considerations include: Providing long-range shaping fires to delay, disrupt, and attrit enemy forces. Provide fires for spoiling and counter attacks. Positioning firing units forward to support a covering force to include SOF operating in zone. Ensure FSCMs, CFZs and CFFZs are established. Engaging enemy long-range indirect fire systems prior to the enemy executing preparation fires. Massing fires to break the momentum of an enemy attack. Providing counterfire support to divisions and BCTs as the enemy enters the EAs allowing the BCT's organic FA BNs to execute close support fires for maneuver. Providing fires to disrupt follow-on echelons. Ensuring FS for the battle handover and withdrawal of the security forces. MOBILE DEFENSE 6-49. The mobile defense is a defensive operation that concentrates on the destruction or defeat of the enemy through a decisive attack by a striking force (ADP 3-90). In a mobile defense, commanders take advantage of terrain in depth, military deception, obstacles and mines while employing fires and maneuver to seize initiative from the attacking enemy force. The commander weights the striking force, with the allocation of FA and other FS resources available. 6-50. The defending force's planned maneuver must incorporate the movement of FS assets to locations where they can provide continuous support. FS assets enhance the maneuver force combat capabilities and enable the quick defeat of the enemy force. 6-51. The defending commander takes precautions to prevent fratricide by establishing a restrictive fire line (RFL) and other FSCMs. The commander positions FS assets to support screen and guard forces and allocates additional artillery to support a covering force. If the security force is assigned a large OA, the commander may have to position FS assets to provide effective coverage of only the most likely enemy avenues of approach. This is particularly important for a screen because often the screen force relies on indirect fire to delay or disrupt the enemy. Providing adequate indirect FS to the security force may require the main body to position its artillery well forward in its formation. Other FS considerations for a mobile defense include: Weight the striking force with the most flexible FS attack/delivery platforms available such as CAS and attack aviation. Positioning two-thirds of the available firing units with the striking force during a mobile defense and one- third with the fixing force. Planning for frequent survivability moves of TA WLR assets based on movement of the forward line of own troops. Planning for the use of obscuration or screening smoke to support both the fixing and striking force. Positioning ammunition stocks for each phase of the operation. Positioning observers forward and along the flanks of both the fixing and striking force to observe and execute priority targets. Employing UA forward of advancing maneuver units to detect enemy forces to designated TAIs. Monitor WLR acquisitions for indications of mine emplacement by the enemy.