FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
Page 221 of 256
Environmental and Terrain Considerations for Fire Support 30 April 2020 FM 3-09 D-17 D-119. Commanders often use non-illuminated attacks when the enemy lacks night vision devices but devices are available to friendly forces. Another reason is when friendly forces plan to use stealth to achieve surprise and close on a position before the enemy discovers the attack. Even though the commander wishes to conduct a non-illuminated attack, always plan for illumination. It is executed only on the commander's authority. D-120. Execution of planned fires using stealth and surprise may be more important to the attack objectives than the effects expected by preparation fires. Use of preparation fires alerts the enemy to the objectives of the attack and may compromise any night advantages. However, always plan for these fires. The non- illuminated attack with on-call fires offers a better opportunity for surprise. D-121. Night offensive FS considerations include prearranged visual signals such as hand-held flares that can be used for initiating or canceling fires of air support and schedules of fire such as groups or series. D-122. When fires are shifted, they should be moved beyond the friendly unit limit of advance. Illuminating fires may not be fired but should be planned. Time illumination over the objective to burn out approximately 300 meters above the ground. Illumination beyond the objective should be allowed to burn on the ground to silhouette the defenders on the objective and to provide a heading reference for friendly forces. Also, illumination can be placed on several locations over a wide area to confuse the enemy as to the exact place of the attack. Once used, illumination should probably be continuous, because friendly troops will have temporarily lost their night vision. D-123. Smoke can be used to degrade enemy night vision devices. It should be placed in front of the enemy, Smoke also can be used when key terrain is to be bypassed. However, smoke on the objective during the final assault conceals enemy locations. Only thermal devices can see through some types of smoke. D-124. Place FSCMs on identifiable terrain. Place permissive measures well in front of friendly forces. Restrictive measures should be used minimally and must provide the safety required yet not complicate clearing fires at night. These measures must be disseminated and understood by all friendly elements. Plan suppressive fires for the final assault to the objective and beyond the limit of advance to stop enemy force retreat or reinforcement. NIGHT DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS D-125. The effective employment of fire support is critical to the successful night defense. As with the offense, daylight planning and coordination considerations are used in addition to considerations for night defense, which include: Use on-call fires to engage enemy forces as they attack or probe the defense. Plan illumination fires although the appropriate maneuver commander is the approving authority for defensive illumination fires. This is to preclude accidental illumination of friendly activity such as patrols and engineer activities. When used, drop visible illumination above and behind attacking forces to silhouette them. Adjust fires, especially FPFs, during daylight, if possible. Use smoke to slow, confuse, and disorient attacking forces. Plan FA delivered mines in coordination with the engineer to separate forces, disrupt formations, and plug gaps in the defense. Plan permissive fire support measures as close to friendly troops as possible; however, measures should be placed on positively identifiable terrain. Plan restrictive measures, if required, on easily identifiable terrain to provide safety to friendly elements. SECTION VI – CONTINUOUS OPERATIONS D-126. Physiological aspects of continuous operations include those factors that degrade the Soldier's physical ability to function. Sleep loss and fatigue induced by night operations magnify stress. After 48 hours of sustained activity, loss of sleep becomes the most significant degrader of Soldier performance on the