(A) Consider What the Commander Wants to Do

CHAPTER THREE

FIRE SUPPORT

3-1. FIRE SUPPORT.

a. Planning is the continual process of selecting targets on which fires are prearranged to support a phase of the commander’s plan.

(1) Principles:

(a) Consider what the commander wants to do.

(b) Plan early and continuously.

(c) Exploit all available targeting assets.

(d) Use all available lethal and non-lethal fire support means.

(e) Use the lowest echelon able to furnish effective support.

(f) Observe all fires.

(g) Use the most effective fire support asset available.

(h) Provide adequate fire support.

(i) Avoid unnecessary duplication.

(j) Provide for safety of friendly forces and installations.

(k) Provide for flexibility.

(l) Furnish the type of fire support requested.

(m) Consider the airspace.

(n) Provide rapid and effective coordination.

(o) Keep all fire support informed.

b. Fire support tasks:

(1) All operations:

(a) Locate targets.

(b) Integrate all available assets.

(c) Destroy, neutralize, or suppress all enemy direct and indirect fire systems.

(d) Provide illumination and smoke.

(e) Provide fires in support of JA/ATT and SEAD missions.

(f) Deliver scatterable mines.

(g) Prepare for future operations.

(h) Provide positive clearance of fires.

(2) Offensive operations:

(a) Support the movement to contact, chance contact.

(b) Soften enemy defenses before the attack by arranging short, violent preparations, where required.

(c) Provide support during the attack by attacking high payoff targets.

(d) Plan for deep and flanking fires.

(e) Plan fires during consolidation.

(f) Provide counterfires.

NOTE: The term DANGER CLOSE is included in the Method of Engagement portion of the call for fire when the target is within 600 meters of any friendly troops for both mortars and field artillery. The creeping method of adjustment is used exclusively during DANGER CLOSE missions. The FO should make range changes by creeping the rounds to the target using corrections of no more than 100 meters.

c. Target Overlay. A complete fire support overlay must include:

(1) Unit and official capacity of person making overlay.

(2) Date the overlay was prepared.

(3) Map Sheet Number.

(4) Effective Period of Overlay (DTG).

(5) Priority target.

(6) ORP Location.

(7) Call signs and frequencies. (PRI/ALT)

(8) Routes Primary/Alternate.

(9) Phase Lines/Checkpoints used by the patrol.

(10) Spares.

(11) Index marks to position overlay on map.

(12) Objective.

(13) Target Symbols.

(14) Description, location and remarks column, complete.

d. Indirect Weapon System Capabilities

ARTILLERY WEAPON CAPABILITIES

WEAPON / 105MM / 155MM / 155MM / 203MM / MLRS
MODEL / M102 / M109A2 / M198 / M110
MAX
RANGE (M) / 12400 / 18100 / 22400 / 22900 / 30000
AMMO / HE,WP
ILLUM
HEP,HC
AP,ICM
CHEM / RAP, HE
ILLUM
HC, ICM
CHEM
WP,
DPICM
CPHD / HE, WP RAP, hc
ICM,
CHEM
DPICM
ILLUM
CPHD / HE,HES
ICM
CHEM
DPICM
RAP / DPICM
SUSTAINED
RATE (RPM) / 3 / 1 / 2 / 0.5 / 13
RANGE of RAP (M) / 15100 / 13500 / 30000 / 30000 / N/A
WEAPON / 105MM / 155MM / 155MM / 203MM / MLRS
MODEL / M102 / M109A2 / M198 / M110
FUSES / PD, BD
VT,MT
MTSQ
CP / PD,VT
MTSQ
CP, MT
TD / PD,VT
MTSQ
CP, MT
TD / PD, VT
CP, MT
MTSQ
TD / TI

MORTAR WEAPON CAPABILITIES

GUN/MTR / 60MM / 81MM / 107MM
MAX RANGE (M) / 3500 / 4789 / 6840
AMMO / HE, WP
ILLUM / HE, WP
ILLUM / HE, WP
ILLUM
CHEM
MAX RATE (RPM)
of FIRE / 30 / 30 / 18
SUSTAINED RATE (RPM) / 20 / 8 / 3
MINIMUM RANGE (M) / 50 / 70
FUSES / MULTI-
OPTION / PD, VT / PD, VT

3-2. Elements and Sequence of Call for Fire.

a. Observer’s Identification Call Signs.

b. Warning Order:

(1) Type of mission:

(a) Adjust fire

(b) Fire for effect

(c) Suppress

(d) Immediate suppression

(2) Size of element to fire for effect When the observer does not specify what size element to fire, the battalion FDC will decide.

(3) Method of target location:

(a) Polar Plot

(b) Shift from a known point (give point TRP)

(c) Grid

(4) Location of Target:

(a) Grid Coordinate 6 digit. 8 digit if greater accuracy is required.

(b) Shift from a Known Point:

(1) Send OT direction:

a. Mils (nearest 10).

b. Degrees.

c. Cardinal Direction.

d. Send lateral

e. Send range shift (Add/Drop) (Nearest 100m)

f. Send vertical shift (Up/Down) Use only if it exceeds 35 meters. (Nearest 5m)

(c) Polar Plot:

(1) Send direction. (Nearest 10 mils)

a. Send distance. (Nearest 100m)

b. Send vertical shift. (Nearest 5m)

(5) Description of Target:

(a) Type.

(b) Activity.

(c) Number.

(d) Degree of protection.

(e) Size and shape. (Length/Width or Radius)

(6) Method of Engagement:

(a) Type of Adjustment When the observer does not request a specific type of fire control adjustment, area fire issued.

(1) Area fire moving target.

(2) Precision fire point target.

(7) Danger Close When friendly troops are within:

(a) 600m for mortars.

(b) 600m for artillery.

(c) 750m for naval guns 5 inches or smaller.

(d) 1000m for naval guns over 5 inches.

(e) 2000m for 16 inch naval guns (ICM or (f) controlled variable time).

(8) Mark Used to orient observer or to indicate targets.

(9) Trajectory:

(a) Low angle. (Standard)

(b) High angle. (Mortars or if requested)

(10) Ammunition HE quick will be used unless specified by the observer.

(a) Projectile. (HE, ILLUM, ICM, SMOKE, etc.)

(b) Fuse. (Quick, Time, etc.)

(c) Volume of Fire. (Observer may request the number of rounds to be fired.)

(11) Distribution:

(a) 100m sheaf. (Standard)

(b) Converged sheaf. (Used for small hard targets.)

(c) Special sheaf. (Any length, width and attitude)

(d) Open sheaf. (Separate bursts)

(e) Parallel sheaf. (Linear target)

(12) Method of Fire and Control:

(a) Method of Fire Specific guns and a specific interval between rounds. Normally adjust fire, one gun is used with a 5-second interval between rounds.

(b) Method of Control:

1. “At My Command” “Fire”. Remains in effect until observer announces “Cancel at my Command.”

2. “Cannot Observe”. Observer can’t see the target.

3. “Time on Target”. Observer tells FDC when he wants the rounds to impact.

4. Continuous Illumination. Calculated by the FDC otherwise observer indicates interval between rounds in seconds.

5. Coordinated Illumination. Observer may order the interval between ILLUM and HE shells.

6. “Cease Loading” to indicate the suspension of loading rounds.

7. “Check Firing”. Immediate halt.

8. “Continuous Fire”. Load and fire as fast as possible.

9. “Repeat”. Fire another round(s) with or without adjustments.

(13) Authentication. Challenge and reply.

(14) Message to Observer:

(a) Battery(ies) to fire for effect.

(b) Adjusting battery.

(c) Changes to the initial call for fire.

(d) Number of rounds (per tube) to be fired for effect.

(e) Target numbers.

(f) Additional information:

1. Time of flight. Moving target mission.

2. Probable error in range. 38 meters or greater (normal mission).

3. Angle T. 500 mils or greater.

c. Correction of Errors. When FDC has made an error when reading back he fire support data, the observer announces “CORRECTION” and transmits the correct data in its entirety.

DO NOT BRACKET when DANGER CLOSE, it could result in freindly casualties, use the Creeping Fire Procedure.

a. Conduct three transmissions (elements of the call for fire).

b. Spot each round when it impacts as over or short, right or left of your target.

(1) When the first range spotting is observed, make a range correction that would result in a range spotting in the opposite direction. For example, if the first round is short, add enough to get an over on the next round.

(2) Observer identification and warning order. Example: H24, this is N59, fire for effect, over.

(3) Target location. Example: Grid NF506394, over.

(4) Use the following guide to establish a bracket; if the round impacts from the target:

( a) 400 meters, add or drop 800

( b) 200-400 meters, add or drop 400 meters

( c) Within 100-200 meters, add or drop 200 meters

( d) Less than 100 meters, add or drop 100 meters

(5) Target description, method of engagement, method of fire and control. Example: Tank in the open, ICM in effect, over.

(6) Measure deviation.

( a) Measure the horizontal angle in mils, using the reticle pattern in the binoculars (Figure 4 and Figure 5 ). Estimate the range to the target and divide by 1,000. This is the OT factor. IF the Observer Target (OT) distance is 1,000 meters or greater, the OT Factor is expressed to the nearest whole number. If the OT distance is less than 1,000 meters, the OT factor is expressed to the nearest 1/10th. For example, 800 = 0.8. Multiplying the OT factor by the deviation measured in mils produces deviation corrections in meters.

f. Continue splitting the range bracket until a 100-meters bracket is split or range correct spotting is observed maintaining deviation on line. (Figure 7, 8, and 9) shown the next three adjustments.

h. Initiate fire for effect. When a 100-meter bracket is split or a range correct spotting is made, the fire-for-effect phase is entered.The adjustment phase of a fire mission would resemble (Figure 10). Note that figure 9 shows the 100-meter bracket split, and the call is "FIRE FOR EFFECT." (Figure 11) shows a simulated pattern with which might be observed in the fire-for-effect phase. Observe the results of fire for effect and report the results.( Figure 12 ).

Examples of Call for Fire Transmissions:

GRID MISSION

OBSERVER FIRING UNIT

F24, this is J42, ADJUST J42, this is F24, ADJUST FIRE OUT.

FIRE OVER.

GRID WM180513, DIRECTION GRID WM180513, DIRECTION 0530,

0530, OVER OUT.

Infantry platoon dug in, Infantry platoon dug in, OUT

OVER.

SHOT OVER

SHOT OUT

SPLASH, OVER

SPLASH OUT

Direction 3240, ADD 100, FIRE Direction 3240, ADD 100, FIRE FOR EFFECT OUT

FOR EFFECT, OVER

SHOT OVER

SHOT OUT

SPLASH, OVER

SPLASH OUT

End of mission, 5 casualties, End of mission, 5 casualties,

Platoon dispersed , OVER. Platoon dispersed, OUT

SHIFT FROM KNOWN POINT

OBSERVER FIRING UNIT

J42, this is F24, ADJUST J42, this is F24, ADJUST FIRE, SHIFT ADJUST FIRE, SHIFT AB1001, AB1001, OUT.

OUT.

DIRECTION 2420, RIGHT DIRECTION 2420, RIGHT

400, ADD 400, OVER. 400, ADD 400, OUT.

5 T72 Tanks at POL site, 5 T72 Tanks at POL site, OUT site, OVER

AUTHENTICATE Juliet November, OVER.

I AUTHENTICATE Tango, OVER.

SHOT, OVER.

SHOT OUT

SPLASH, OVER.

SPLASH OUT

End of mission, 2 tanks End of mission, 2 destroyed,

destroyed, 3 tanks in woodline, 3 tanks in woodline, OUT

OVER

3-3. CLOSE AIR SUPPORT.

FIGHTER CHECK-IN

1. CALL SIGN/MSN # 2. N0. AND TYPE AC ______

3. ORDNANCE ______4. PLAYTIME

5. ABORT CODE______

FAC TO FIGHTER BRIEF

1. IP ______2. HEADING (MAG) ___ OFFSET L/R

3. DISTANCE (NM) _____ 4. TGT ELEV (FT) ______

5. TGT DESCRIPTION ______

6. TGT COORDS LAT/LONG or MGRS

7. TGT MARKINGS LASER CODE 1 _ _ _

8. FRIENDLY LOCATION ______

9. EGRESS DIRECTION ______

10. REMARKS (AS REQUIRED) ______

(a) TOT/TTT

(b) HAZARDS (WEATHER, FRIENDLY FIRE, TERRAIN)

(c) ATTACK RESTRICTIONS

(d) THREATS (SUPPRESSED?)

(e) WEATHER/WINDS

(f) CLEARANCE/CALL DEPARTING

3-4

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AS SITUATION REQUIRES

a. Distance/Direction Reference

b. Detailed Friendly Location

c. Detailed Tgt Location

d. Detailed Threat Location

e. Ordnance Sequence/Fusing

f. Fac Location

g. Detailed Attack Restrictions

h. Altimeter Setting

i. Safe Bailout Area

j. Divert Airfield Info

k. JAAT Abc Callsign/Freq

MISSION RESULTS/BDA

a. Successful/Unsuccessful

b. General Results Destroyed/Damaged/Unknown

c. Specific Results

AIRCRAFT CAPABILITY QUICK REFERENCE

AIRCRAFT / PRIMARY MSNs / COMM / SECURE / PRIMARY MUNITIONS / SENSORS / TGT ID/ACQUISITION
A-6E / NIGHT AI & CAS / UHF / UHF / GP BOMBS, LGB / TRAM/FLIR / LASER, BEACON
A-10 / CAS, AI, CSAR, AFAC / UHF-HQ, VHF, FM / UHF / MAV, GP BOMBS, GUN / PAVE PENNY / LASER, VISUAL
AC-130H / NIGHT CAS, CSAR / UHF-HQ, VHF, FM, SATCOM, HF / ALL / 2X20MM, 1X40MM, 1X105 / LLLTV, FLIR, BLK CROW, APQ-150 / LASER, IR POINTER, IR LIGHT, VIS, BEACON
AC-130U / NIGHT CAS, CSAR / UHF-HQ, VHF, FM, SATCOM, HF / ALL / 1X25MM, 1X40MM, 1X105 / ALLTV, FLIR, APQ-180 / LASER, IR POINTER, IR LIGHT, VIS, BEACON
AV-8B / CAS, AI / UHF, VHF, FM / ALL / 25MM, GP BOMBS / ARBS / LASER, VISUAL
B-1 / AI / UHF-HQ, HF, SATCOM / ALL / GP BOMBS, SRAM / APQ-164 / RADAR
B-52G/H / AI / UHF-HQ, HF, SATCOM / ALL / GP BOMBS, SRAM, HAVENAP / APQ-166, FLIR / RADAR
F-4G / SEAD / UHF-HQ / UHF / HARM, SHRIKE / APR-47 / ADA RADAR EMITIONS
F-14 / CAS, AI, AFAC / UHF / UHF / GP BOMBS / LST / LASER, VISUAL
F-15E / AI / UHF-HQ, VHF / ALL / GP BOMBS, LGB / LANTIRN, APG-70 / LASER, BEACON, VIS
F-16C / CAS, AI / UHF-HQ, VHF, FM / ALL / GP BOMBS, LGB, MAV / BEACON, VIS
F-16 LANTIRN / NIGHT CAS, AI / UHF-HQ, VHF, FM / ALL / GP BOMBS, LGB, MAV / LANTIRN / LASER, BEACON, VIS
F/A-18 C/D / CAS, AI / UHF, VHF, FM / UHF / GP BOMBS, MISSLES / LST, APG-65 / LASER, BEACON, VIS
F-111F / NIGHT AI / UHF-HQ, HF / ALL / LGB, GP BOMBS / PAVE TACK, RADAR / LASER, BEACON, VIS
F-117 / NIGHT AI / UHF-HQ / UHF / LGB, GP BOMBS / IRADS / LASER, VIS

3-9