FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
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Chapter 4 4-8 FM 3-09 30 April 2020 supporting unit supports several units simultaneously (ADP 5-0). Organic FA BNs can be assigned a support relationship by the FFA HQ of the supported command. 4-49. Support relationships allow commanders to employ their units' capabilities to achieve the desired results required by supported commanders. Support relationships are graduated from an exclusive supported and supporting relationship between two units-as in DS-to a broad level of support extended to all units under the control of the higher HQ-as in GS. Support relationships do not normally alter administrative control. Support relationships are used to task-organize for a mission. FA units may be assigned a support relationship of DS, R, GSR, or GS. 4-50. The seven FA inherent responsibilities (see table 4-1) supplement the inherent responsibilities of an Army support relationship. See FM 3-0 for a detailed description of command and support relationships. DIRECT SUPPORT 4-51. Direct support is a mission requiring a force to support another specific force and authorizing it to answer directly to the supported force's request for assistance (JP 3-09.3). Direct support is a support relationship requiring a force to support another specific force and authorizing it to answer directly to the supported force's request for assistance (FM 3-0). A FA unit in DS of a maneuver unit is concerned primarily with the fire support needs of only that unit. The FSE of the supported maneuver unit plans and coordinates fires to support the maneuver commander's intent. 4-52. The commander of a unit in DS recommends position areas and coordinates for movement clearances where his unit can best support the maneuver commander's concept of the operation. When FA units are able to habitually support the same maneuver force, coordination and training are enhanced. DS is the most decentralized support relationship. REINFORCING 4-53. Reinforcing is a support relationship requiring a force to support another supporting unit (FM 3-0). Only like units (for example artillery to artillery) can be given an R support relationship. An R support relationship requires one FA unit to augment the fires of another FA unit. 4-54. When an organic or DS FA BN requires more fires to meet maneuver force requirements, another FA BN may be directed to reinforce it. An organic or DS FA BN may be supported by up to 2 R BNs. A FA unit assigned an R support relationship retains its command relationship with its parent unit, but is positioned by the reinforced FA unit and has priorities of support established by the reinforced FA unit, then the parent unit. GENERAL SUPPORT-REINFORCING 4-55. General support-reinforcing is a support relationship assigned to a unit to support the force as a whole and to reinforce another similar-type unit (FM 3-0). The first priority of a FA unit assigned a GSR support relationship is to furnish artillery fires for the maneuver force as a whole; the second priority is to reinforce the fires of another FA unit. 4-56. A GSR unit remains under the control of the supported maneuver commander or his force field artillery HQ. The GSR support relationship offers the commander the flexibility to meet the requirements of a variety of tactical mission tasks. GENERAL SUPPORT 4-57. General support is support which is given to the supported force as a whole and not to any particular subdivision thereof (JP 3-09.3). A FA unit assigned in GS of a force has all of its fires under the immediate control of the supported commander or his designated FFA HQ. 4-58. Among Army support relationships, GS provides the highest degree of centralized control of fires. This provides the commander flexibility to facilitate ongoing operations.