Chapter 5

FIRE SUPPORT

Section IV. COMMAND AND CONTROL

5-13. CORPS AND DIVISION COMMAND POSTS

    Corps and division CPs are divided into tactical, main and rear CPs. Like the command cell, current operations cell, plans cell, CSS cell, and ACE, the FS cell operates at the main CP. The FA representatives who constitute the FS element form the nucleus of the FS cell. Other personnel who may either work in the FS cell habitually or actively coordinate with it as needed are the G2, G3 air, assistant division engineer (ADE), chemical officer, EW officer, and representatives from the TACP, AD, division aviation, and air and naval gunfire liaison company (ANGLICO). The FSCOORD, or the assistant fire support coordinator (AFSCOORD) in his absence, supervises FS cell activities. These include planning, coordinating, and integrating fire support operations, to include theater air and EW support.

5-14. COMMAND POSTS, CELLS, AND ELEMENTS

    a. Fire support coordination facilities. Field artillery commanders at corps, division, and brigade levels supervise the operation of the force commander's FS coordination agencies in addition to commanding their respective FA organizations. This dual responsibility requires the FA commander to know the functions and objectives of the force, the operation of the force FS system, and the technical aspects of FA fire.

    Field artillery is organized at corps, division, and brigade with a specific C² structure that enables the FA commander to accomplish both aspects of his mission. There is an FA HHB in each corps artillery and DIVARTY, FA brigade, and FA battalion. The HHB provides a CP for the C² of the subordinate FA units and also provides the nucleus of an FSE to the force commander. Both the FA CP and the FSE are supervised on a full-time basis by the FA commander's designated representative. The S3 operations officer is usually in charge of the FA CP while the FSO or AFSCOORD is in charge of the FSE. How the FA commander divides his time and emphasis between the FA CP and the FSE depends on the force commander's guidance, the combat situation, and the general FS state of readiness.

    b. Corps and division main command post fire support cell. The main FS cell is collocated with the corps or division main CP and must be close to the G2 and G3 elements to be effective in FS planning. The main FS cell is concerned primarily with planning future operations and with fighting deep operations.

    The FS cell members serve with the corps or division staff in targeting efforts. Specific requirements for FS cell representatives (in the tactical, main and rear CPs) may include:

        - Recommending targets.
        - Using TVA to identify target priorities.
        - Determining FS needs.
        - Expediting FS.
        - Assessing FS effects.
        - Coordinating timing of FS attacks (to include EW).
        - Recommending use of theater air assets.

    c. Corps or division tactical command post fire support element. The tactical CP FSE is responsible for FS coordination for the current battle. It is austere. It coordinates and implements the FS from the subordinate FS cells and identifies FS requirements for the immediate and near-immediate tactical situations. Representatives from all FS resources responsive to the corps or division collocate with the FSE. The FSE is as mobile as the supported maneuver force tactical CP.

    d. Corps or division rear command post fire support element. The FSO coordinates artillery positioning (when applicable) with the rear operations cell; establishes procedures for requesting FS, to include mortars, artillery, attack helicopters, and theater air; recommends FSCMs; and advises the rear operations cell in FS matters.

    Bases, base clusters and response forces, and the TCF submit their FS plans to the rear area FSO. He collates them and coordinates the composite rear area FS plan with the main FS cell. Calls for fire from a rear element are made to the rear area FSO. He coordinates those requests within the operations cell and with other rear area elements and forwards the request to the main FS cell. The main FS cell determines the most suitable FS asset available, initiates the request, and notifies the rear FSO of the decision and response.

    The TCF designated to interdict and defeat Level III threat forces normally includes supporting artillery.

    At corps, the FSO consolidates FS plans from subordinate rear area operations centers (RAOCs), response forces, and the TCF for integration into the overall corps rear FS plan.

5-15. FIRE SUPPORT COORDINATOR

    The FA commander at corps, division, or brigade is designated the FSCOORD. He is the force commander's primary adviser on FS matters. He maintains a good working relationship with the commander, operations officer (G3), and ALO throughout the planning and execution phases of the operation. The FSCOORD must be thoroughly familiar with the battle plan so that he can anticipate missions, situations, and changes and then advise the force commander on the best use of FS. The FSCOORD's primary responsibilities (at corps or division level) are to:

        - Establish and supervise the activities of the FS cell.
        - Plan and synchronize FS.
        - Prepare the FS portion of the corps or division OPLANs and OPORDs.
        - Advise and inform on all FS missions.

5-16. CONTROL MEASURES AND TERMS

    The FSCOORD coordinates all FS impacting in the area of responsibility of his supported maneuver commander, including that requested by the supported unit. He ensures that FS will not jeopardize troop safety, will interface with other FS means, and/or will not disrupt adjacent unit operations. FSCMs help him in those efforts. They are designed to facilitate the rapid engagement of targets and, at the same time, provide safeguards for friendly forces. All FSCMs are depicted in black.

    a. A boundary:

        - Is the basic FSCM.
        - Indicates the geographical area a unit is responsible for.
        - Is normally designated along recognizable terrain features.
        - Is both permissive and restrictive in nature.
            - Restrictive. No FS means may deliver fires across a boundary unless the fires are coordinated with the force having responsibility within the boundary.
            - Permissive. Some other FSCM is in effect that allows firing without further coordination. It may also be that a maneuver commander enjoys complete freedom of fire and maneuver within his own boundaries.

    b. Permissive measures. Permissive measures are those measures that expedite the attack of targets.

        (1) Coordinated fire line (CFL).

            - A line beyond which conventional or improved indirect-fire means (mortars, field artillery, and naval gunfire ships) may fire at any time without additional coordination.
            - Purpose is to expedite the attack of targets beyond it.
            - Brigade or division can establish a CFL within its zone.

        (2) Fire support coordination line (FSCL).

            - A line beyond which all targets may be attacked by any weapon system (including air) without endangering troops or requiring additional coordination with the establishing HQ.
            - The FSCL expedites attack of a target beyond the FSCL.
            - Established by corps or independent division.
            - Placed on identifiable terrain.

        (3) Free-fire area (FFA).

            - A specific, designated area into which any weapon system may fire without additional coordination with the establishing HQ.
            - Expedites fires and also facilitates jettisoning CAS munitions.
            - Established by division or higher (host nation).
            - Established on identifiable terrain or by grid designation when necessary.

    c. Restrictive measures. Restrictive FSCMs safeguard friendly forces.

        (1) Restrictive fire line (RFL).

            - A line established between converging friendly forces that prohibits fires or effects from fires across the line without coordination with the affected force.
            - Prevents interference between converging forces.
            - Common commander of forces establishes RFL.
            - Established on identifiable terrain.

        (2) No-fire area (NFA).

            - An area in which no fires or effects of fires are allowed except:
                - Temporarily, by establishing HQ.
                - When an enemy force within the NFA engages a friendly force. The commander may engage the enemy to defend his force.
            - Area that prohibits all fires or their effects into an area without prior clearance.
            - Division or corps (host nation) establishes.
            - Established on identifiable terrain, grids, or with a radius from a center point.

        (3) Restrictive fire area (RFA).

            - An area in which specific restrictions are imposed and into which fires that exceed those restrictions will not be delivered without coordination with the establishing HQ.
            - Regulates fires into an area according to the stated restrictions.
            - Established by battalion or higher.
            - Established on identifiable terrain, grids, or radius from a center point.

        (4) Airspace coordination area (ACA).

            - A block of airspace in the target area in which friendly aircraft are reasonably safe from surface fires.
            - Can be formal (three-dimensional box) or informal (time, lateral separation, altitude) to provide separation between surface-to-surface and air-delivered fires.
            - Formal ACA includes minimum and maximum altitudes, a baseline designated by grid coordinates at each end, the width, and the effective times.

    d. Terms.

counterfire- Fire intended to destroy or neutralize enemy FS capabilities that have been identified as having fired on friendly forces. Counterfire includes counterbattery, counterbombardment, and countermortar fire.

destruction- To artillerymen, destruction equates to 30-percent casualties. Destroy should mean the target is rendered permanently combat ineffective. Destruction missions are expensive in time and ammunition.

group of targets- Two or more targets on which fire is desired simultaneously. The group is designated by a letter-number combination.

interdiction fire- Fire placed on an area or point to prevent the enemy from using the area or point. Additionally, it is fire to divert, disrupt, delay, or destroy the enemy surface military potential before it can be used effectively against friendly forces.

neutralization- To artillerymen, fires that are intended to render a target out of the battle temporarily by causing a minimum of 10-percent casualties. The definition of neutralization, per FM 101-5-1, leads the commander to understand the target will not be able to interfere with a particular operation. Key questions the FSCOORD or FSO must ask are when and how long the commander wants the target rendered incapable of interfering.

series of targets- In FS, a number of targets and/or group(s) of targets planned in a predetermined time sequence to support a maneuver phase. The series is indicated by a code name or nickname.

suppression- Used to prevent effective fire on friendly forces. It is typically used to support a specified movement of forces. The FSCOORD or FSO must ask the commander when and how long he desires the target suppressed.

suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) - That activity that neutralizes, destroys, or temporarily degrades surface-based enemy air defenses by destructive and/or disruptive means.

target- An object, vehicle, individual, etc. that is the aiming point of any weapon or weapon system.