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 6-35 of how they get across. The planning requirements for each type of gap crossing are similar. However, the required degree of detail and necessary conditions for a high degree of success will vary based on the type and the unique features associated with a crossing mission. For more information on gap crossing see, ATP 3-90.4. The gap crossing types: Deliberate crossing is the crossing of an inland water obstacle or other gap that requires extensive planning and detailed preparations (ATP 3-90.4). It requires the use of rafting (nonbridging) and bridging assets. The use of assault craft, rafting, or ferries and the emplacement of bridging assets may occur sequentially or concurrently. The objective in deliberate wet-gap crossings is to project combat power to the exit bank of a river or other type of significant water obstacle at a faster rate than the enemy can concentrate forces for a counterattack. Typically, wet-gap crossings are one of the most difficult types. They generally require significant augmentation of mobility support assets. Hasty crossing is the crossing of an inland water obstacle or other gap using the crossing means on hand or those readily available, and made without pausing for elaborate preparations (ATP 3- 90.4). Hasty gap crossings are usually focused on a combined arms activity to project combat power across a terrain feature (wet or dry) that can be overcome by self-bridging assets within the BCT. These assets may be organic, provided to the BCT as augmentation, or found as expedient crossing materials within the AO. Typically, a hasty gap crossing is a gap that is 65 feet or less in width. They are normally accomplished with tactical bridging. A hasty gap crossing may also include support bridging and the use of expedient bridging or gap crossing by other means. Covert crossing is a planned crossing of an inland water obstacle or other gap that is intended to be undetected (ATP 3-90.4). The primary purpose of the covert crossing is to facilitate undetected infiltration of the far side of a gap. A covert crossing is normally conducted by battalion and smaller forces. It is used when surprise is essential to infiltrate over a gap and when limited visibility and terrain present the opportunity to reduce or defeat the enemy obstacle (gap) without being seen. Through surprise, the commander conceals capabilities and intentions and creates the opportunity to position support and assault forces to strike the enemy unaware or unprepared. 6-156. Commanders use the same organic command and control nodes for gap crossings as they do for other missions. These nodes, however, take on additional functions in deliberate gap crossings. This may require some temporary collocation of headquarters cells and an increase in communication means. Commanders conducting a deliberate gap crossing organize their units into assault, assured mobility, bridgehead, and breakout forces discussed below: Assault force, seizes the far side objective to eliminate direct fire on the crossing sites. Assured mobility forces such as combat engineer companies, mobility augmentation companies and mobility assault companies, bridge companies, military police, and CBRN units that provide crossing means, traffic control, and obscuration. Bridgehead force assaults across a gap to secure the enemy side (the bridgehead) to allow the buildup and passage of a breakout force during gap crossing. Breakout force attacks to seize objectives beyond the bridgehead as a continuation of the offense. 6-157. A successful gap crossing is characterized by applying gap-crossing fundamentals. These fundamentals are applied when a gap is encountered in the OA. These fundamentals are as follows: Surprise. Extensive preparation (less for hasty crossing). Flexible planning. Traffic management. Organization. Speed. 6-158. FS Considerations for gap crossings are below: Plan fires at depth to isolate the bridgehead area from enemy reinforcement. Plan fires to soften enemy defense and crossing sites and to seal- off exit bank positions. Establish CFZs on crossing sites and staging areas.