FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
Page 61 of 256
Fire Support and the Operations Process 30 April 2020 FM 3-09 3-15 Consider the use of all lethal and nonlethal attack capabilities. The FSCOORD considers the full range of fires and other capabilities available at all levels. This includes coordinating for attack/delivery assets from available joint and multinational forces. Use the lowest echelon capable of furnishing effective support. FS is delivered by the lowest level that has the effective means to accomplish the mission. Planners decide what is needed and, if their assets are inadequate, coordinate for additional support from the appropriate echelon. Furnish the type of support requested. The fire support requester is in the best position to determine what is needed. However, the FSCOORD is in a position to weigh the request against the commander's guidance and the current and future needs for fire support. If a request for fire support is disapproved, the FSCOORD notifies all concerned. If possible, a new fire support means is substituted and all affected agencies must be informed. Use the most effective fire support attack/delivery system. The FSCOORD considers the nature and importance of the target, the engagement time window, the availability of attack assets, and the effects desired. In some circumstances, it may be necessary to sequence the attack by fixing the enemy with immediately available fire support assets while coordinating a subsequent, more detailed attack by more effective assets. An example of this is a situation in which air support is the most desired means but is about 20 minutes away. In this case, indirect-fire attack/delivery systems can fix the target until aircraft arrive. Avoid unnecessary duplication. A key task for the FSCOORD is to ensure that duplications of fire support requests are resolved when possible while the desired effects are achieved. Consider airspace coordination. The FSCOORD at the BCT and higher levels provides input concerning fire support use of airspace to those agencies and personnel engaged in airspace management to ensure that conflicts between surface-based indirect fire and air operations are minimized. For more information on airspace control see FM 3-52. Provide adequate support. The commander's guidance determines the amounts and types of FS needed for success. The FSCOORD must inform the maneuver commander when fire support requirements exceed capabilities. Provide for rapid and continuous coordination. The FSCOORD must know the capabilities of the various fire support attack/delivery systems and have immediate information on their availability. The FSCOORD must be aware of changes as they develop in order to attack both planned targets and targets of opportunity and to ensure that coordination channels are functioning smoothly. For rapid coordination, the following must be considered: Exact locations of all friendly forces. Scheme of maneuver of the supported force. Supported commander's guidance and SOP. Fire support coordinating measures in effect. Rules of engagement. Provide for flexibility FS personnel anticipate and provide for future contingencies. On-order missions and careful positioning of assets give the commander the flexibility to respond to changing battlefield conditions. Use of FSCMs A fire support coordination measure is a measure employed by commanders to facilitate the rapid engagement of targets and simultaneously provide safeguards for friendly forces (JP 3-0). They ensure that FS will not jeopardize troop safety, will interface with other fire support means, and will not disrupt adjacent unit operations. Any change to a FSCM must be communicated to all units affected. For more information on the use of FSCMs see appendix B. 3-37. In large-scale ground combat operations, FS planning is a top down process with bottom up refinement and continual coordination. FS planning at echelons above brigade involve deep operations, coordination of FS for future and current battles, and allocation of resources to subordinate units. At brigade and below levels, FSEs are more involved in the execution of the current battles and they fight within the parameters established by the higher headquarters and with the resources they have been allocated (see figure 3-4 on page 3-16).