FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
Page 62 of 256
Chapter 3 3-16 FM 3-09 30 April 2020 Figure 3-4. Planning and execution relationship 3-38. This is not meant to imply that brigade and battalion FSEs need not plan fires in advance of operations. They just don't plan as far into future battles as the FSEs at corps and division. In fact, the FS principle of use the lowest echelon capable of furnishing effective support, must always be considered by FS planners. FS planning, coordination, and execution should be done at the lowest level possible with the fewest number of elements necessary to accomplish the mission. For example: Division CFLs should be used sparingly and only to open up the division zone to fight the division deep battle. The division FSE is often too far removed to emplace, cancel, and move CFLs for the close fight. A FAB asset with a GSR mission to a DIVARTY makes positioning extremely difficult. A preferred method in the offense is to make that unit R with the necessary restrictions to facilitate future operations. SEAD should be planned and fired by the unit using the air support. FRATRICIDE PREVENTION AND CLEARANCE OF FIRES PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES 3-39. Field Artillerymen must always maintain a mindset of violently applying lethal fires in accordance with the Law of War and established ROE. However, we must simultaneously reduce the risk that lethal fires cause unintentional killing and destruction to a prudent, acceptable level. This is done in a large part through fratricide prevention and clearance of fires processes. 3-40. Fratricide is the unintentional killing or wounding of friendly or neutral personnel by friendly firepower (ADP 3-37). Fratricide increases the possibility of mission failure, causes unacceptable loss of personnel and equipment, and erodes leadership effectiveness. 3-41. Minimizing exposure to potential fratricide is a command responsibility. Although the potential for fratricide is greatest during combat when chaos and confusion are at their greatest, it can also occur during training activities and combat simulations. Leaders must be knowledgeable of conditions that cause fratricide and implement fratricide countermeasures regardless of the environment. Efforts must be made to overcome potential hazards such as mistaken identity, navigation errors, or inaccurate or dysfunctional reporting procedures. 3-42. Although weapon systems can detect, engage, and destroy targets at maximum ranges, weapons sighting equipment does not have sufficiently high resolution of targets at extended ranges, especially under limited visibility conditions. Situational awareness helps overcome this deficiency in part and improve friendly capabilities to positively identify potential targets.