FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
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Appendix B B-4 FM 3-09 30 April 2020 greater requirement for detailed coordination with the establishing commander and can slow the expeditious clearance of fires short of the FSCL. B-10. Attacks on surface targets short of the FSCL, during the conduct of joint interdiction operations, must be controlled by, and/or coordinated with, the appropriate land or amphibious force commander. B-11. The establishing commander adjusts the location of the FSCL as required to keep pace with operations. A series of disseminated "on-order" FSCLs will help accelerate the coordination required. The establishing commander quickly transmits the change to higher, lower, adjacent, and supporting HQ to ensure that appropriate controlling agencies coordinate engagement operations. Changes to the FSCL require notification of all affected forces within the AO and must allow sufficient time for these forces and/or components to incorporate the FSCL change. Current technology and collaboration tools between the elements of the joint force determine the times required for changing the FSCL. B-12. Varying capabilities for acquisition and engagement may exist among adjacent commanders in a multinational operation. Normally, commanders at senior tactical echelons establish an FSCL to support their operations. Layered FSCLs and multiple, separate, noncontiguous corps and/or MAGTF FSCLs positioned at varying depths, create a coordination and execution challenge for supporting commanders (e.g., tracking effective times, lateral boundaries, and multiple command guidance). In cases such as these, when the components share a mutual boundary, the JFC or a designated component commander may consolidate the operational requirements of subordinates to establish a single FSCL. When possible a single FSCL best facilitates air ground operations synchronization. FREE-FIRE AREA B-13. A free-fire area is a specific region into which any weapon system may fire without additional coordination with the establishing headquarters (JP 3-09). Where indirect fires and aircraft share a FFA, consider establishing an airspace coordination area to assist in deconfliction. Only the military commander with jurisdiction over the area (usually, a division or higher commander) may establish a FFA. Preferably, the FFA should be located on identifiable terrain; however, grid coordinates or the Global Area Reference System may be used to designate the FFA. B-14. The FFA is graphically portrayed (see figure B-3) by a solid black line defining the area and the letters "FFA" within, followed by the establishing HQ and the effective date-time-group (ADP 1-02).