FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
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Chapter 3 3-8 FM 3-09 30 April 2020 continues throughout the targeting process feeding the targeting working group, targeting decision board, and intelligence collection plan. Commander's guidance (corps, division, BCT) sets the conditions for planning counterfire operations. The commander's guidance must be clear, concise and easily understood. Whenever commander's guidance for counterfire and targeting is not clearly understood during the planning of an operation, fire support planners should solicit that guidance from the commander. Commanders must include endstate in their planning guidance for counterfire, to promote unity of effort and the integration, and synchronization of available FS and collection assets. Successful counterfire operations may require commanders to accept risk elsewhere while seeking to exploit opportunities. 2. Develop and execute an intelligence collection plan that supports the targeting and counterfire fight. Successful counterfire operations require proactive and continuous collection and analysis of the enemy FS system. WLRs and collection assets must be prioritized, integrated, and synchronized with counterfire operations. The FAIO and the information collection manager at each echelon ensures that target acquisition assets are properly integrated and synchronized into the overall collection and FS plan. The FSCOORD is responsible for positioning FS assets to respond to counterfire requirements. Position radars to support the observation and collection plans considering the enemy FS capabilities and range. Combat assessments, BDA, munitions effectiveness assessment (MEA) and reattack criteria will drive intelligence collection requirements for counterfire operations. 3. Develop a permissive battlefield design using geometries and FSCMs. Using battlefield geometries and FSCMs to delineate the AO between corps and divisions is essential to effective counterfire operations and future planning. Permissive FSCMs allow for maximum use of destructive combat power to facilitate the attack of enemy indirect fire systems, while mitigating the risk to friendly forces. The commander adjusts battlefield geometries and FSCMs as required to keep pace with operations. 4. Plan and manage terrain and distribute on common graphics (logistics sites, position area for artillery (PAA) - primary and alternate). Ensure FA units and sensors are positioned to support counterfire operations at points of vulnerability such as obstacles, canalizing terrain, bridges or gap crossings. The counterfire HQ is responsible for logistic support and recommends positioning of sensors and counterfire delivery systems, and ensures PAA and radar position areas are distributed and common graphics. Plan for primary, alternate and tertiary PAA and radar position areas. 5. Plan airspace that allows for responsive counterfire (ACMs/airspace coordination areas/counterair). Close coordination is required to integrate air and space with counterfire operations. Counterfire operations in large-scale ground combat operations will require high volumes of air and space. ATACMS and guided multiple launch rocket system target engagements will require detailed airspace planning, coordination, and de-confliction. Unit airspace plans must be developed during MDMP and throughout the targeting and operational process to account for counterfire operations. When commanders have control of airspace, the JAGIC is the execution node for fires and airspace control. 6. Designate and resource the counterfire HQ (role/manning/location). Define the FFA HQ role verses CF HQ role in the counterfire fight. The corps or division commander can designate the role of the counterfire HQ to a DIVARTY, FAB, or separate FA BN. The DIVARTY can provide the counterfire HQ for the division if task organized with the necessary firing units, sensors, target production section, and TA platoon to coordinate the counterfire fight. FABs can serve as the force field artillery HQ or the counterfire HQ for a division or corps. Army National Guard FABs are routinely assigned to support the divisions and corps as the counterfire HQ. 7. Develop a sustainment and protection plan for all TA and attack/delivery capabilities. The execution of sustainment operations across all class of supply are critical to counterfire operations. CL V sustainment, ammunition, haul capability, triggers, RSR and CSR are crucial to the counterfire fight. Radar sections do not have the capability to provide force protection for themselves and firing units often need protection augmentation. A protection plan must be developed during MDMP to include engineer support, local force protection to secure movement along main supply and alternate supply routes, short-range air defense, cueing schedules, frequency management, and deception.