Chapter 5

FIRE SUPPORT

Section II. EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS

5-7. CURRENT FIELD ARTILLERY ORGANIZATIONAL FORCE STRUCTURE

    a. Field artillery organizations. The basic FA organization is the FA battalion. A battalion contains all the elements necessary to support a maneuver brigade with fire. The typical FA battalion has an HHB, a service battery, and three firing batteries. The HHB provides C², liaison with maneuver and other fire support elements, signal, survey, and TA capabilities. The service battery provides ammunition trains, maintenance, and supply capabilities. The firing batteries contain the cannon, rocket, or missile system assigned to the battalion.

    b. Separate commands. ACRs and separate brigades have organic artillery units- a battery within each squadron of the ACR and a battalion within a separate brigade.

    c. Division artillery. At division level, the DIVARTY is the tactical HQ that commands and controls the assigned FA units. The DIVARTY commander is responsible for all FA support for the division. The DIVARTY establishes a TOC for the control of FA fires and provides fire support elements (FSEs) to the division main and tactical CPs to plan and coordinate all FS for the division.

    d. Corps artillery. Based on the corps mission, FA cannon, rocket, and missile battalions are assigned to the corps artillery along with a number of FA brigade HQs to provide C². The corps artillery HQ plans and coordinates FS for the corps, establishing a TOC for the tactical control of FA units retained directly under corps control and providing FSEs to the corps main and tactical CPs to plan and coordinate all FS for the corps.

    e. Field artillery brigades. The corps commander, advised by the corps artillery commander, attaches FA battalions to an FA brigade HQ, tailoring a brigade for the specific mission. An FA brigade may fire in support of the corps as a whole or augment the fires of a specific division, extending the corps commander's span of control and providing flexibility in how he plans to fight the corps. Note that, unlike a DIVARTY, an FA brigade has no TA battery.

5-8. FIELD ARTILLERY CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS

    a. Capabilities.

        (1) Provides fires under all conditions of weather and types of terrain.

        (2) Shifts and masses fires quickly and without need to displace.

        (3) Adds depth to combat.

        (4) Provides a variety of conventional shell and fuze combinations.

        (5) Is as mobile as the supported force.

        (6) Provides counterfires and/or suppressive fires.

    b. Limitations.

        (1) Firing and communication signatures make the field artillery vulnerable to detection.

        (2) Limited self-defense capability against ground and air attacks.

        (3) Limited ability to destroy targets without considerable ammunition expenditure.

5-9. PRINCIPLES OF FIRE SUPPORT

    The principles of fire support are the framework for a thought process ensuring the most effective use of fire support assets. These principles apply at all levels of command, regardless of the specific fire support assets available.

    a. Plan early and continuously.

    b. Exploit all available targeting assets.

    c. Consider the use of all lethal and nonlethal FS means.

    d. Use the lowest echelon capable of furnishing effective support.

    e. Use the most effective means to accomplish the mission.

    f. Furnish the type of support requested.

    g. Avoid unnecessary duplication.

    h. Consider airspace coordination.

    i. Provide adequate support.

    j. Provide rapid and effective coordination.

    k. Provide for flexibility of employment.

    l. Provide for safeguarding and for the survivability of friendly forces.

5-10. BASIC FIRE SUPPORT TASKS

    a. Support forces in contact. Responsive FS protects and ensures freedom of maneuver to forces in contact with the enemy in deep, close, and rear operations. This includes:

        (1) Assignment of DS and reinforcing tactical missions.

        (2) Types of fire: close support, interdiction (deep), counterfire (reactive), SEAD, and rear fires.

        (3) Placement of permissive FSCMs.

        (4) Plans for target acquisition.

    b. Support the battle plan. The force commander retains direct control over enough firepower to influence the battle. This includes:

        (1) Assignment of GSR and GS tactical missions.

        (2) Types of fire: counterfire (proactive), interdiction, and rear fires.

        (3) Attack of HPTs by lethal and nonlethal means.

    c. Synchronize the FS system. FS activities are arranged in time, space, and purpose. This includes:

        (1) D³A methodology.

        (2) War gaming during MDMP.

    d. Sustain the FS system. This includes:

        (1) Protection.

            - Survivability positions.
            - Actions to counter the effects of enemy firepower and maneuver.

        (2) Logistic support.

            - Stocks and supplies protected and properly positioned.
            - Mission-capable equipment.
            - Logistics planning.
            - Required supply rate (RSR) versus controlled supply rate (CSR).

        (3) Technical support.

            - Redundant C² facilities.
            - Well-trained FS personnel.
            - FS systems that are mobile and correctly emplaced.
            - Accurate and rapid meteorology, survey, and communications.