FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
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Chapter 4 4-6 FM 3-09 30 April 2020 4-34. Commanders never place artillery in reserve. Commander's utilize command and support relationships to weight the main effort. WEIGHT TO THE MAIN EFFORT OR THE DECISIVE OPERATION 4-35. The main effort can be weighted by a variety of ways: R or GSR support relationships can be assigned to provide additional responsive fires to the maneuver forces in contact. FA units can be positioned and assigned directions of fire to concentrate their fires in the appropriate AO. In this manner, units in a GS support relationship can add weight to the main attack or strength to the most vulnerable area. FA ammunition may be allocated to provide for more support in a specific area. Priority of FA fires given to the main effort (decisive operation). 4-36. Support relationships from GS to DS provide increasing responsiveness to the main effort's commander. Minimal essential FS can be allocated to shaping operations. IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FIRE SUPPORT FOR THE COMMANDER TO INFLUENCE THE OPERATION 4-37. The force commander should establish command or support relationships for available artillery with which the commander can immediately influence the operation. The practice of establishing FA support relationships of GS and GSR enhances flexibility and facilitates ability to provide immediately responsive fires for the force as a whole. 4-38. The artillery commander maintains the capability to shift fires rapidly and add weight when enemy vulnerabilities are detected or the force is threatened. As the engagement unfolds, the maneuver commander may shift the priority of fires to exploit opportunities as they are presented. FACILITATE FUTURE OPERATIONS 4-39. Future operations can be facilitated by the assignment of a command or support relationship, the positioning of FA, and the allocation and positioning of ammunition (to include combat configured loads and ammunition issued for immediate consumption). 4-40. The assignment of GS and GSR support relationships, as well as on-order command or support relationships enables the transition to a future mission. Another way to facilitate future operations is to modify the current command or support relationship in accordance with anticipated requirements. Commanders can apply CSR to FA units to ensure planned future operations are adequately supported. Maximum Feasible Centralized Control 4-41. The optimum degree of centralized control varies with each tactical situation. A high degree of centralized control is preferred in a defensive situation. Since the enemy has the initiative, it is difficult to accurately predict where and when the enemy will attack. 4-42. The commander cannot afford to dissipate fires capabilities on secondary priorities before determining the enemy's main effort. A lesser degree of centralized control is essential in an offensive situation, because the supported force has the initiative and unforeseen opportunities require responsive fires to exploit. Never Place Artillery In Reserve 4-43. Commanders should not place artillery in reserve but may give a change to its support relationship ensuring artillery is not held in reserve and adequate support is provided to the main effort. These changes in support relationships can be identified by an on-order mission. An example of an on-order mission is "1-52 FA: GSR 1-50 FA; on-order R 1-50 FA."