FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
Page 47 of 256
30 April 2020 FM 3-09 3-1 Chapter 3 Fire Support and the Operations Process This chapter further discusses FS in the Operations Process in detail. Section 1 further explains the four FS functions. Section II describes key FS processes and procedures (as an element of C2) and the principles of FS planning and coordination. Section III describes FS preparation, primarily rehearsals. Section IV discusses the principles of FS execution (AWIFM-N). Section V discusses operational and combat assessment as they relate to FS. “The artillery was my strongest tool. I repeatedly said it was more a matter of the infantry supporting the artillery than the artillery supporting the infantry…. I wish I knew the countless times that positions were taken or held due solely to TOT’s ….” – Major General R.O. Barton, US 4th Infantry Division World War II SECTION I – FIRE SUPPORT FUNCTIONS 3-1. The four functions of FS are the basic requirements the FS system must fulfill to destroy, neutralize, or suppress the enemy. The basic FS functions describe what FS must do. They are used as screening criteria during FS planning, rehearsals, and assessment of the overall conduct of the FS system. SUPPORT FORCES IN CONTACT 3-2. The commander must provide responsive FS that ensures freedom of maneuver to forces engaged with the enemy in the close, deep, support, and consolidation areas. A force is always in some form of contact. ADP 3-90 describes the eight forms of contact as: visual; direct; indirect; non-hostile; obstacles; aircraft; CBRN; and electronic (Electronic contact includes contact in cyberspace). Units may experience all forms of contact simultaneously. Commanders should assume that friendly forces are always in contact in one or more domains, both during competition and conflict. Peer adversaries or enemies have both the cyberspace and space enabled capabilities to observe friendly forces routinely. 3-3. Throughout large-scale ground combat operations, FS must: Provide deep fires to disrupt, delay, and destroy uncommitted enemy forces before they can engage friendly forces. This includes enemy A2/AD, CPs, airfields, air defense artillery (ADA), missiles, bridges and logistical infrastructure. Plan counterfire to destroy, neutralize, or suppress the enemy's indirect fire weapon systems. Counterfire is fire intended to destroy or neutralize enemy weapons (JP 3-09). It Includes counterbattery and countermortar fire. Provide close supporting fires. Close support is the action of the supporting force against targets or objectives that are sufficiently near the supported force as to require detailed integration or coordination of the supporting action (JP 3-31). These fires are used to engage enemy troops, weapons, or positions that are threatening or can threaten the force in either the offense or defense. They allow the commander to multiply combat power effects. Close support expands the battlefield depth, erodes enemy forces, and inflicts damage well beyond direct fire ranges. Provide fires to suppress known enemy air defense weapons immediately before and during flight by friendly aircraft within the AO. Suppression of enemy air defenses is activity that neutralizes, destroys, or temporarily degrades surface-based enemy air defenses by destructive and/or disruptive means (JP 3-01). Provide fires in support of consolidation area operations.