FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
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Chapter 6 6-18 FM 3-09 30 April 2020 6-89. Since a movement to contact involves an unclear or uncertain situation, the positioning of FA units must facilitate responsive execution of fire support tasks. The positioning and movement of FA assets must be coordinated with maneuver. Position FA assets as far forward as practical to allow maximum flexibility once enemy contact is made. TA assets focus on locating enemy indirect fire systems throughout the movement to contact. As the situation develops TA assets will transition to support shaping and counterfire missions. Specific FS and FA considerations include: Allocate preponderance of CAS and attack aviation to cover and guard forces. Be prepared to rapidly change priorities of fire and establish FSCMs. Integrate DIVARTY and FAB WLRs, survey, MET, and counterfire coverage in support of the BCTs to allow BCT organic FA BNs to continue to maneuver with the BCT; coordinating handover of support to BCTs once the situation is developed. Integrate FA, joint fires, and TA WLR assets to assist in securing the unprotected flanks of vulnerable division, corps, or other supported command assets during advances. Attack bridges and other mobility corridors to limit enemy mobility options and facilitate shaping the meeting engagement. Position FS assets well forward to facilitate responsiveness and the ability to mass fires. Position the CP forward to facilitate control of FS operations. Provide responsive cannon, rocket, and missile fires to the BCTs to enable their organic FA BNs to continue to move during the movement to contact. Plan artillery movement to maintain force momentum and provide adequate immediately responsive support. Use UAS searching forward of advancing MLRS and HIMARS batteries as an aid to reconnoiter routes and position areas-particularly to identify by-passed enemy forces. Plan on-order targets on likely enemy defensive locations, EAs, observation posts, and obstacles. They are placed into effect and cancelled as the lead element can confirm or deny enemy presence. Transition FA units from GS or GSR to R once the situation is developed and the BCTs begin to conduct follow-on offensive or defensive operations. Position a FA unit to follow close behind the advance guard to provide responsive fires to lead elements. Position WLRs, observers, and UAS to detect enemy forces forward and along the supported unit's flanks. Position WLRs to cover critical friendly assets that are vulnerable to enemy indirect fire from bypassed regular or irregular forces. Plan for alternate position areas and survivability moves. Plan for obscuration or screening smoke. Synchronize the positioning and movement of FA with the tempo of the supported unit.