FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
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Fire Support Coordination Measures 30 April 2020 FM 3-09 B-17 CRITICAL FRIENDLY ZONE B-54. A critical friendly zone is an area of coverage employed by weapons locating radar which the maneuver commander designates as critical to the protection of an asset whose loss would seriously jeopardize the mission. A CFZ is graphically portrayed (see figure B-15) by a solid black line defining the area and the letters "CF ZONE," followed by the identifying name within, plus the effective date-time-group. B-55. The CFZ requires a minimum of 3 and a maximum of six anchor points to define the boundary of the area. The size and shape of the CFZ is determined by the anchor points and may be circular, rectangular, or irregular. When possible, the effective date-time-group (moveable and scalable) should be placed within the graphic boundary but it may be placed outside the graphic or within a computer drop box if necessary. Figure B-15. Critical friendly zone example B-56. CFZs may be phased along the maneuver axis of advance and activated when entered by friendly forces. This is particularly important in those areas where friendly forces are most vulnerable (for example, river-crossing sites and areas open to easy visual observation). Typical CFZs include maneuver assembly areas, command posts, forward arming and refueling points, friendly breaching sites and other troop concentrations. The maneuver commander may also designate critical civilian infrastructure as a CFZ. B-57. Designation of a CFZ requires WLR coverage of the designated area and attack/delivery assets to provide counterfire. The supporting field artillery unit's automated fire support system places any WLR acquired enemy indirect fire into a CFZ in priority ahead of all other counterfire targets with an immediate call for fire. CALL FOR FIRE ZONE B-58. A call for fire zone is a weapons locating radar search area from which the commander wants to attack hostile firing systems. A CFFZ would be placed around an enemy fire support position identified as a HPT. The CFFZ provides the second most responsive priority for fires from the radars. B-59. On the basis of IPB and other target indicators, CFFZs are used to monitor suspect areas from which threat indirect fires may jeopardize the mission. Establishing a CFFZ will facilitate immediate counterfire of enemy artillery disrupting the friendly scheme of maneuver.