FM 6-20-40

PREFACE

The purpose of this publication is to provide heavy forces fire support officers and enlisted personnel at maneuver company, battalion and brigade with a how-to manual. It focuses on fire support officers (FSOs) in mechanized infantry, armor, and task forces at brigade (bde) and below.

This publication describes maneuver techniques and fire support considerations at maneuver (mvr) brigade and below. It establishes responsibilities and duties of key personnel by focusing on how the fire support system can support the ground-gaining arms. Maneuver and fire support doctrine should be studied in depth to obtain a complete understanding of doctrine, tactics, and techniques, That basic understanding is a prerequisite in order to effectively apply the contents of this how-to manual.

This manual is fully compatible with the Army AirLand Battle doctrine and is consistent with current joint and combined doctrine. It assumes that the user has a fundamental understanding of the fire support principles set forth in FM 6-20.

In its development, FM 6-20-40 has undergone several draft revisions. Numerous individual Redlegs helped make it the authoritative fire support reference it is. Members of every heavy division artillery (div arty) have provided input at some stage in the development cycle. The units listed below provided representatives from the field to a unique exercise encompassing major input and comprehensive rewrite of the developed draft. The effort of these senior fire support officers resulted in this final product. It reflects the consensus of the field on fire support tactics, techniques, and procedures for the brigades in heavy divisions. The field representatives were from– Ž 1st Armored Division Artillery, Zirndorf, Federal Republic of Germany

Ž 1st Cavalry Division Artillery, Fort Hood, Texas Ž 5th Infantry Division Artillery (Mechanized), Fort Polk, Louisiana

Ž 8th Infantry Division Artillery, Baumholder, Federal Republic of Germany Ž 24th Infantry Division Artillery (Mechanized), Fort Stewart Georgia

Ž 197th Infantry Brigade, Fort Benning, Georgia Ž National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California

The US Army Field Artillery School (USAFAS) owes them, and many others,a great debt of gratitude for the professionalism they displayed in true Redleg fashion.

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The provisions of this publication are the subject of international agreements (NATO Standardization Agreements [STANAGs] and Quadripartite Standardization Agreements [QSTAGs]):

Ž 2014/506 Operation Orders, Annexes to Operation Orders, and Administrative and Logistics Orders Ž 2031/515 Proforma for Atillery Fire Plan Ž 2082 Relief of Combat Troops

Ž 2099/531 Fire Cooordination is Support of Land Forces

Ž 2147/221 Target Numbering System (Nonnuclear) Ž 2887/217 Tactical Tasks and Responsibilities for Control of Artillery

The proponent of this publication is HQ TRADOC. Submit changes for improving this publication on DA Form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms), and forward it to:

Commandant US Army Field Artillery School ATTN: ATSF-DD Fort Sill, Oklahoma 73503-5600

Unless otherwise stated, whenever the masculine gender is used, both men and women are included.

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CHAPTER 1 ORGANIZATION AND DUTIES

Section I. HEAVY FORCES ORGANIZATION

Mission Significant Features The overall design of the heavy forces Significant capabilities of heavy forces include structure provides mobile armor-protected the following: firepower. Because of their mobility and survivability, heavy forces are best employed Ž Can conduct nuclear and chemical operations where battles are fought over wide areas. They with organic delivery systems. destroy enemy armed forces and control land areas, including populations and resources. In Ž Can rapidly shift forces on the battlefield. offensive operations, heavy forces quickly concentrate overwhelming combat power to Ž Can cover wide frontages. break through or envelop enemy defenses. Ž Can conduct the entire battle – rear, close, They then strike deep to destroy fire support, and deep. command and control, and service support elements. Heavy forces can defend wide The more significant limitations are as follows: frontages. Using mobility for rapid concentra- tions to attack, reinforce, or block, they defeat Ž Have limited strategic mobility. an enemy while economizing forces in other areas. Heavy forces operate best in basically Ž Have restricted mobility in rugged terrain open terrain where they can use their mobility (jungle, built-up areas, and forests). and long-range direct fire weapons to the best advantage. Ž Require significant logistical support.

Section II. THE FIRE SUPPORT SYSTEM

Components gather targeting information and targets by using all available means. These means The fire support system supporting the heavy include, but are not limited to, observers, forces is the collective body of target radars, intelligence and electronic warfare acquisition and battlefield surveillance assets; (IEW) assets, Army aviators, and frontline attack systems (both lethal and nonlethal) and troops. munitions; command and control systems and facilities; technical support (meteorological and Attack Systems survey); and the personnel required to provide and manage fire support. The attack could be lethal or nonlethal (for example, smoke, illumination, and offensive electronic warfare). Assets normally available Target Acquisition at brigade level and below are field artillery Target acquisition assets are the target- (FA), mortars, tactical air (TACAIR) support, producing eyes and ears of the system. They communications jarnmers, and naval gunfire

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(NGF). Air defense (AD) and engineer assets available to the maneuver force. The greatest may also become important components of the fire support plan in the world is worthless fire support system. Fire support assets are unless it is properly coordinated with the described in Appendix A. appropriate personnel and/or agencies. In short, coordination makes the plan happen. Command and Control See FM 6-20 for detailed discussion. These are the elements that make the system work. These elements translate the PRINCIPLES OF FIRE SUPPORT commander’s concepts and desires into the PLANNING AND COORDINATION technical and tactical actions needed to attack targets quickly and effectively. Plan early and continuously. Follow the commander’s targeting guidance. Technical Support Exploit all available targeting assets. Meteorological (met) and survey support is that technical part of the fire support system Consider the use of all available fire support that ensures accurate unobserved surprise fires, means, both lethal and nonlethal. transfer of target data, and effective massed Use the lowest echelon capable of providing fires. effective fire support. Use the most effective means. Fire Support Planning and Furnish the type of support appropriate. Coordination Fire support planning is the continuing and Avoid unnecessary duplication. concurrent process of acquiring and analyzing Consider airspace coordination. targets, allocating fire support to targets, scheduling the attack of targets, and Provide adequate fire support. synchronizing all available fire support to Provide rapid and effective coordination. achieve the commander’s intent. Remain flexible. Fire support coordination is the continuous Provide for the safeguarding and survivability of process of implementing fire support planning friendly forces and/or installations. and managing fire support assets that are

Section III. FIRE SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS, PERSONNEL, AND DUTIES

Role of the Direct Support Field support planning and coordination for the Artillery Battalion Commander maneuver brigade. The DS battalion commander brings, as his unique contribution The direct support (DS) FA battalion to battle, his professional assess