FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
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Chapter 1 1-6 FM 3-09 30 April 2020 generates effects in the unique environment of the land domain to support the Army's operational concept. The four FS functions are the minimum requirements the FS system must fulfill to destroy, neutralize, or suppress the enemy. They give the commander and FSCOORD a frame of reference to evaluate and assess the overall effectiveness of the FS system. These four FS functions are: Support forces in contact. Support the concept of operations. Synchronize and converge FS (lethal and nonlethal) across all domains. Sustain and protect the FS system. 1-18. These functions serve as unifying factors for the FS system. Each of these functions, in addition to applying to the system as a whole, applies to the individual FS parts. The four functions do not change or replace the traditional missions, roles, and operations of the different Army and joint FS assets. They do, however, provide a common point of departure for an operationally unified FS system. For example, U.S Air Force aircraft in support of ground operations must accomplish the four functions simultaneously. However, the Air Force does not consciously plan to work the four functions. Rather, it accomplishes its ground support mission through its normal provision of close air support (CAS), air interdiction (AI), strike coordination and reconnaissance (SCAR), and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD). The final assessment of the ground support mission must be made in terms of the four functions. Underpinning these functions are mission command and disciplined initiative at all warfighting echelons. To further clarify these points, it is necessary to examine each function in greater detail; this will be done in Chapter 3. CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE SUPPORT “Get the job done, tidy up the battlefield later.” Gen. Jack N. Merritt (Field Artillery) 1-19. A characteristic is a feature or quality that marks an organization of function as distinctive or is representative of that organization or function (ADP 1-01). The purpose of a characteristic is to clearly establish essential attributes that the organization or function must possess to be effective. These characteristics are inherent in the design, mind-set, and equipment for the field artillery and provides our branch the ability to accomplish our role. The characteristics of FS are: To violently apply lethal fires in accordance with the law of war and established rules of engagement (ROE). To always operate in the spirit of the offense. To always operate as a single entity. 1-20. Violently apply lethal fires within the law of war and ROE: In large-scale ground combat operations, the goal of every FSCOORD, is to orchestrate a perfect harmony of intense violence within the law of war and established ROE in support of the supported commander's concept of operations. Law of war is that part of international law that regulates the conduct of armed hostilities (JP 3-84). Rules of engagement are directives issued by competent military authority that delineate the circumstances and limitations under which United States forces will initiate and/or continue combat engagement with other forces encountered (JP 3-84). Unit commanders always retain the inherent right and obligation to exercise self-defense in response to a hostile act or demonstrated hostile intent. “If you would make war, wage it with energy and severity; it is the only means of making it shorter and consequently less deplorable for mankind.” Gen. Napoleon Bonaparte 1-21. Always operate in the spirit of the offense: Fire support must always be conducted in the spirit of the offense. Regardless of whether the maneuver force is engaged in the offense or defense, its FS must be offensively minded as it rapidly and continuously strikes HPTs across all domains. For example, when a maneuver unit seizes an assigned objective and transitions to the defense its FS system continues to aggressively search for and attack HPTs throughout the depth of the maneuver unit's area of responsibility (AOR) in a proactive and responsive manner. "In combat there is an overriding requirement to keep unrelenting pressure on the enemy to punish him and rob him of opportunities to take the initiative. But men tire, machines break down and the terrain and weather at times seem to be as much as an opponent as is