FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
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Chapter 3 3-40 FM 3-09 30 April 2020 airspace requirements into the overall airspace control plan. Integrated planning ensures that the location and altitude of key ACMs, that define division assigned airspace such as the coordinating altitude, balance both air component and Army force requirements for airspace. Fires planning data would include planned field artillery positions, max ordinate for artillery, mortar, rocket and missile systems, planned target locations, primary counter fire weapon system and units, and GS artillery weapon systems. SECTION V – FIRE SUPPORT ASSESSMENT 3-101. Assessment is a continuous process that measures the overall effectiveness of employing capabilities during military operations (JP 3-0). It is also used to determine progress toward accomplishing a task, creating a condition, or achieving an objective. Assessment involves continuously monitoring the situation and evaluating progress of an operation. Assessment precedes and guides the other activities of the operations process and concludes each operation or phase of an operation. However, the focus of assessment differs during planning, preparation, and execution. During planning, assessment focuses on gathering information to understand the current situation and developing an assessment plan. During preparation, assessment focuses on monitoring the progress of readiness to execute the operation and helps to refine the plan. Continuous assessment during execution is essential to adjusting operations based on changes in the situation. Assessment during execution involves a deliberate comparison of forecasted outcomes to actual events, using criterion to judge operational progress toward success. 3-102. Assessment is commander-centric. Commanders maintain a personal sense of the progress of the operation, shaped by conversations with senior and subordinate commanders and battlefield circulation. Operation assessment complements the commander's awareness by methodically identifying changes in the OE, identifying and analyzing risks and opportunities, and formally providing recommendations to improve progress toward mission accomplishment. Assessment should be integrated into the organization's planning and operations battle rhythm to best support the commander's decision cycle. 3-103. As an essential part of the overall operation assessment, the staff will assess FS. Staffs should assess how effectively the joint FS system supports forces in contact, supports the concept of operations, and associated FS plan, synchronizes FS, and sustains/protects the FS system. Positive indicators include a continuous flow of targeting information up and down the chain of command; availability of capabilities that can create both lethal and nonlethal effects; access to the requested type of FS; consistent use of the most effective FS; patterns of avoiding unnecessary duplication; civilian casualties and collateral damage; efficient use of airspace; and prompt fire support for troops in contact, along with rapid coordination methods. Negative indicators include insufficient creation of effects or achievement of objectives, patterns of friendly fire incidents, or unanticipated or unacceptable amounts of civilian casualties or collateral damage. 3-104. Assessment Indicators. The staff should identify the specific pieces of information needed to infer changes in the OE supporting them. These pieces of information are commonly referred to as indicators. Indicators are relevant, observable or collectible, responsive, and resourced. Assessment plans should include both quantitative and qualitative indicators. An example of a fire support assessment indicator could be the speed with which important information is communicated to, and acknowledged by, elements of the FS system. 3-105. Operation assessments are an integral part of planning and execution of any operation, fulfilling the requirement to identify and analyze changes in the OE and to determine the progress of the operation. Assessments involve the entire staff and other sources such as higher and subordinate HQ, interagency and multinational unified action partners, and other stakeholders. They provide perspective, insight, and the opportunity to correct, adapt, and refine planning and execution to make military operations more effective. Operation assessment applies to all levels of warfare and during all military operations. An operation assessment is a continuous process that measures the overall effectiveness of employing capabilities during military operations in achieving stated objectives (JP 5-0). 3-106. Ultimately, operation assessment is a process that measures progress toward mission accomplishment. The commander may direct the formation of a cell, whose primary function is to develop and execute the assessment plan and to conduct assessments. The assessment cell is a cross-functional organization with representatives from all staff sections, the SJA, subordinate units, and multinational and interagency unified action partners. The assessment cell operates during both planning and execution phases