FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
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Fire Support and the Operations Process 30 April 2020 FM 3-09 3-25 of massed, synchronized and intense fires can cause enemy personnel to lose the will to continue to fight. Degrade is to reduce the effectiveness or efficiency of a threat. Strategic effect terms, the standard dictionary definition applies. Delay is when a force under pressure trades space for time by slowing down the enemy's momentum and inflicting maximum damage on enemy forces without becoming decisively engaged (ADP 3-90). When enemy forces are delayed, friendly forces gain time. For delay to have a major impact the enemy must face urgent movement requirements or the delay must enhance the effect(s) of friendly operations. When delayed enemy forces mass behind a damaged route segment a more concentrated set of targets and a longer period of exposure to friendly fires results. Deny is task to hinder or prevent the enemy from using terrain, space, personnel, supplies, or facilities (ATP 3-21.20). An example of deny is to destroy the threats communications equipment as a means of denying his use of the EMS; however, the duration of denial will depend on the enemy's ability to reconstitute. Denial operations are actions to hinder or deny the enemy the use of space, personnel, supplies, or facilities (FM 3-90-1). Destroy is a tactical mission task that physically renders an enemy force combat-ineffective until it is reconstituted. Alternatively, to destroy a combat system is to damage it so badly that it cannot perform any function or be restored to a usable condition without being entirely rebuilt. (FM 3- 90-1). Destruction in the context of the computed effects of field artillery fires, destruction renders a target out of action permanently, or ineffective for a long period of time, producing 30- percent casualties or materiel damage. Destruction fire is an element of the method of engagement portion of the call for fire requesting destruction fire delivered for the sole purpose of destroying materiel. (TC 3-09.81). Disrupt is a tactical mission task in which a commander integrates direct and indirect fires, terrain, and obstacles to upset an enemy's formation or tempo, interrupt the enemy's timetable, or cause enemy forces to commit prematurely or attack in a piecemeal fashion. (FM 3-90-1). Diversion is the act of drawing the attention and forces of an enemy from the point of the principal operation; an attack, alarm, or feint that diverts attention (JP 3-03). Diversion causes enemy forces to consume resources or capabilities critical to enemy operations in a way that is advantageous to friendly operations. Diversions draw the attention of enemy forces away from critical friendly operations and prevent enemy forces and their support resources from being employed for their intended purpose. Diversions can also cause more circuitous routing along lines of communication, resulting in delays for enemy forces. An option for field artillery employment in support of a commander's diversion is to use high explosives (HE) fires to encourage an enemy to adopt a different route. Interdiction is an action to divert, disrupt, delay, or destroy the enemy's military surface capability before it can be used effectively against friendly forces or to achieve enemy objectives (JP 3-03). Interdiction fires is employed to disrupt, delay, or destroy enemy forces. Interdiction fires create windows for friendly unit movement and maneuver. Isolate to separate a force from its sources of support in order to reduce its effectiveness and increase its vulnerability to defeat (ADP 3-0). Neutralization in the context of the computed effects of field artillery fires renders a target ineffective for a short period of time, producing 10-percent casualties or materiel damage. Neutralization fire is fire delivered to render the target ineffective or unusable. Neutralize - A tactical mission task that results in rendering enemy personnel or materiel incapable of interfering with a particular operation. (FM 3-90-1). Preparation fire is a brief, intense bombardment on selected targets or a prolonged effort over time covering a large number of targets. Commanders must be clear on what they hope to achieve by this sort of fire. The effectiveness of preparation fire varies with each situation; and its feasibility depends on such factors as surprise, deployment, ammunition supply, and type of weapons available. Preparation fire is planned by the commander planning the attack. Normally, fire begins before H-hour and may extend beyond it.