The purpose of this paper is to provide a context for Field Artillery (FA) units executing defensive operations in a Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE). The specific unit of focus for this paper is the Brigade Combat Team’s (BCT), Direct Support (DS) Field Artillery (FA) Battalion. The primary audiences for this paper are Fires Battalion Staff Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers, Battery and Forward Support Company Commanders, and First Sergeants. This paper is a collaboration of Key Developmental billet complete Observer Coach Trainers (OC/Ts) with an aggregate of ~100 rotations of experience at the National Training Center (NTC) Fort Irwin, CA.
This paper is separated into four focus areas consisting of: Battalion Operations, Battery Operations, Sustainment Operations, and radar employment considerations. The Battalion Operations section highlights the FA Battalion’s tasks associated with defensive operations. The Battery Operations section provides insights from a Battery Commander’s perspective to highlight Troop Leading Procedures (TLPs), execution, and subsequent transition. The third section of this paper is Sustainment Operations insights for the defense. Lastly, this paper will identify radar employment considerations specific to the defense.
Battalion Operations
The Battalion Operations Officer (S3) is responsible for understanding the Brigade defense and ensuring the Battalion is postured to deliver fires in order to meet the BCT CDR’s desired effect in support of the Brigade’s defined deep and close fights. The success of the Battalion is contingent upon the staff’s ability to conduct deliberate parallel planning with Brigade.
The Battalion Staff is responsible for anticipating applicable Field Artillery Tasks (FAT) IAW the enemy Situation Template (SITEMP), enemy Event Template (EVENTEMP), friendly scheme of maneuver, positioning of artillery assets, and proper management of Class V to accomplish the BCT CDR’s desired effect. The Modified Combined Obstacle Overlay (MCOO) is an essential tool developed during Mission Analysis that can be used to facilitate parallel planning with the Brigade staff.
The Battalion S3 must maintain communication with the Brigade Fire Support Officer (FSO), the Fire Support Coordinator (FSCOORD) and the Brigade S3 to understand the Brigade plan. During defensive operations, the Battalion Staff must continually ask the following questions enabled by the Six TOC Functions, running estimates, and Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP):
- Based on the enemy EVENTEMP and the brigade’s defensive plan where can we anticipate targets?
- How much Remote Anti Armor Mine System (RAAMS), Suppression, and Obscuration will the Brigade’s plan require?
- Can we execute our P.A.C.E Plan at pace to execute seamless Fire Mission Processing?
- Does the Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) and templated Position Area for Artillery (PAA) support the most achievable firing solutions and transitions to disrupt an enemy Attack and engage targets on the High Payoff Target List (HPTL) or targets of opportunity.
- Are we providing Battery Commander’s sufficient time to conduct proper Reconnaissance, Selection, and Occupation of Position (RSOP) and TLPs, specifically turret loads / Class V cross loading?
The staff’s ability to answer these questions ensure recommendations can be made to the FSCOORD for decision(s), conditions are set to support the Brigade fight and Batteries have adequate time to conduct TLPs.
Battery Operations Troop Leading Procedures
As in all operations, Battery Commanders and other Battery leaders will follow the familiar eight steps of Troop Leading Procedures (TLPs) during defensive operations. Since the enemy retains the initiative during defensive operations, the amount of time allocated for Battery and lower level TLPs could be limited. Commanders must practice and rely on unit Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to help streamline the process. Using a blank Operations Order (OPORD) template, a practiced Tactical SOP (TACSOP), and clear priorities of work and rehearsals will ensure the Battery is prepared for defensive operations. TLP steps may be out of order or repeated as the Brigade’s and Battalion’s defensive plans are developed and refined.
The Battery Commander’s thorough understanding of assigned FATs is critical. The Battery’s FATs will dictate the ammunition load within the firing section, Battery Trains employment, movement options and resupply triggers among other considerations.
The Battery Commander’s plan must balance coverage at multiple areas which include reconnaissance elements, units that may be well forward of the engagement area, the actual engagement area itself, and the eventual transition to the counterattack. However, the Battalion should provide initial positioning guidance a bottom up refinement timeline and technical rehearsals schedule are key for Battery Commanders to complete their plan by ensuring they can achieve technical solutions to all assigned targets. In addition, Commanders and subordinates must ensure their plans are nested into their higher Headquarters (HQ) plan to transition to the counterattack. Ensuring triggers are identified to dispatch RSOP and move PAAs, maintaining firing capabilities as the Battery moves forward, and rehearsing the technical solutions to counterattack targets are all essential requirements of the defensive plan.
Reconnaissance, Selection, and Occupation of a Position (RSOP)
The Battery Commander will conduct a reconnaissance of the proposed position as time allows. Ideally, the reconnaissance will consist of a ground reconnaissance with identification of proposed routes, obstacles, ambush sites, survey locations, and howitzer positions. Reconnaissance allows the Battery Commander to traverse the terrain that the Battery (Platoons) will cover enroute to the position. Reconnaissance can also accomplish survey coordination, engineer support, route security, adjacent unit coordination, and fire support. During the reconnaissance, the Battery must consider the movement criteria and how it affects the mission or support for the maneuver force. The Battery cannot lose firing capability and at all times must be prepared to receive emergency missions if other Batteries are also maneuvering. Another factor to consider is the enemy situation and this must be thoroughly understood. The disposition, intentions, and capabilities of enemy forces must be analyzed as this could determine the route, positioning, dispersion techniques, and occupation techniques utilized to support the maneuver force.
Upon completion of RSOP the Battery must prepare an adequate defense in order to survive and provide continuous fire support to the maneuver commander. A defense is more effective when there is adequate time to thoroughly plan and prepare defensive positions.
Battery Defense Against Enemy Capabilities
Enemy forces direct their actions against the field artillery to affect their ability to deliver fires. Enemy forces may try to detect field artillery elements through the study of doctrine and the processing of information collected by using reconnaissance and surveillance as sources of information. Personal communication devices, such as cellular phones, permit untrained observers or irregular forces to report unit positions for targeting. Visual observation, predicted activities, bumper markings, and leftover rubbish can also be used for collection of information supporting the enemy targeting effort. However, the greatest threats to the field artillery Battery come from counterfire, air attack, and ground attack.
To defend against these threats the Battery must understand the tactical situation and identify potential friendly and enemy weaknesses. The Battery must undertake actions to provide for early and accurate warning of threat activities. This will protect the Battery from surprise and reduce the unknowns in any situation. Unit operating procedures must contain provisions for Battery self-defense. A defense diagram must include all direct fire crew serve weapons integrated with gunnery techniques such as firing Killer Junior (time fused, high explosive rounds fired in direct fire) on dismounted avenues of approach and flechette (antipersonnel-tracer) rounds for perimeter defense.
Survivability
After the Battery has occupied its PAA, the Battery Commander must consider survivability criteria to effectively mass indirect fires for the BDE and maintain combat power. Mission analysis will dictate survivability criteria and it will continuously change to meet the dynamic variables of the operation. Survivability criteria is most commonly constructed at the BN echelon with guidance from the Battalion Commander and input from running estimates of the battalion staff. Survivability criteria will trigger movements within designated PAAs based on METT-TC or SOP. As the Battery masses indirect fires to neutralize the enemy during defensive operations it is important to continuously adhere to the survivability criteria to defend against enemy counterfire.
Fire Direction Center
In defensive operations, the controlling FDC, at the Battery level, is responsible for maintaining all five requirements for accurate fire. Additionally, the FDC must maintain accurate digital and analog Fire Support Coordination Measures (FSCMs). Once the FDC receives a Target List Work Sheet (TLWS) from Battalion, it is imperative for the Battery level FDC to conduct multiple internal technical rehearsals prior to the Brigade or Battalion driven rehearsal. During defensive operations, the internal technical rehearsals must at a minimum focus on all aspects of the FATs.
- How many RAAMS rounds do we have on hand and do we have an achievable firing solution?
- Are there enough PAAs planned to survive to during high volumes of fire?
- Will the FDC need to move for survivability or just howitzers?
- Should an alternate FDC be established for redundant technical control at the Battery level?
The internal technical rehearsal also ensures the correct ammunition, such as propellant, projectiles, fuses and primers are on the correct howitzer to support the TLWS. The FDC also utilizes the technical rehearsal to identify and report FSCM violations, intervening crests, range or other ammunition issues that ultimately prevent the successful firing of the mission. The TLWS is a key fighting product that provides essential information for the FDC and Battery leadership to continue executing TLPs. The Battery level FDC provides refinements to the Battalion FDC. These refinements include, but are not limited to: Gun Target Line (GTL), Max Ordinate (MAX ORD), charge, or any other variable such as MET updates that will prevent the mission from firing or require the Battalion Commander to make a decision. This data is useful to the BCT fires cell in order to maintain a permissive joint fires environment allowing the synchronization and integration of fixed wing, rotary wing, and other Echelons Above Brigade (EAB) assets in support of the defensive operation.
Transition
Units at NTC often struggle during transitions from defensive operations into the counter attack. Preparation for transitions is paramount for units to succeed in the next phase of operations. Planning for successful transitions lies primarily at the BDE and BN level; however, Battery Commanders need to understand how they fit into the larger plan in order to succeed. At the Battery level, Commanders need to understand their FATs, current location, subsequent locations, and ammunition required for their transition to the next phase. Artillery units often fail to preposition ammunition loads for the next phase of the operation.
For instance, units transitioning from the defense to the counter attack understand their next location, but they lack detail in understanding the munitions required at the next PAA. Units must have a TLWS that encompasses transition targets to influence a possible enemy counter attack and friendly branch plans. Battery Commanders need to understand transition points with associated FATs to set conditions for the next phase of the operation. If units understand the upcoming FATs and plan, they will know if their Battery is in the correct position, have the correct ammo and are prepared to transition into the next phase of operations.
Sustainment Operations
Sustainment planners and leaders must plan for sustainment functions required to build combat power such as personnel services, health service support, and logistics. The Battalion S-1 tracks personnel and coordinates for personnel replacement as necessary. The Medical Platoon conducts medical treatment, medical evacuation, and medical logistics/supply. The Forward Support Company (FSC) is responsible for executing logistics functions within the Battalion. During the defense, units must focus on building combat power and providing necessary supplies to the Batteries as the unit strives to regain the initiative.
As stated in ATP 3-09.23, supply lines are frequently shorter in the defense. Establishing a Rearm, Refuel, and Resupply Point (R3P) as Batteries conduct rearward movement is advantageous. Key supply classes for this R3P include CL V (DPICM, RAAMS, and SMK (M825/A1) depending on the defensive tasks), CL III (B), and CL IX (Repair Parts). This will enable the firing Batteries to execute their assigned FAT as well as repair equipment with maintenance issues upon arrival to their PAA. Generally, RAAMS is required during the early stages of the defense and M825/A1 Smoke is required in the early stages as the Cavalry Squadron conducts a Rearward Passage of Lines (RPOL) and in the later stages of the defense in preparation for the transition to the counterattack.
During defensive operations, sustainment planners must maintain an accurate operational picture as the unit progresses through the defense. Planning, communicating, and executing resupply triggers is critical for sustainers to supply the required ammunition to the firing Batteries on time. This understanding will enable the FSC to be responsive to ensure the Battalion can fight the current defensive fight as well as create conditions for a successful attack. Overall, sustainment planners must anticipate ammunition requirements based on assigned FATs and always stay synchronized with operations.
Radar Employment Considerations
The employment of Weapons Locating Radar(s) (WLR) in support of defensive operations. The BDE Fire Support Officer (FSO) or Targeting Officer must first understand the Operational Environment (OE) and the critical tasks associated with the defense. As the situational understanding is received, the planner conducts a “reverse” time and distance analysis from the No Later Than (NLT) defend time to the actual distribution of the Radar Deployment Order (RDO). An example is Unit A will defend NLT at H+10, The WLR needs to be in position ready to observe at location NV123456 by H+9; it will take two minutes to march order the system and five minutes to emplace. The section must travel X kilometers from position A to position B. It will take X amount of time for the WLR to travel from position A to position B. Once WLR has arrive to position B, a refined reconnaissance is required to ensure WLR is at an optimal location or position ready to observe. This process could take a significant amount of time due to time available, terrain, training, and experience. The planning and execution of WLR employment and understanding all considerations associated is vital and may be the difference in the overarching success of fire support operations.
Target Acquisition in Support of Defensive Tasks
The WLR is a critical part of the counterfire fight. An effective counterfire fight allows for freedom of maneuver and force protection by destroying or neutralizing enemy indirect fire weapons systems. The primary mission of a WLR is to track hostile fire weapon systems. The primary role in the defense is to provide priority counterfire mission processing through the use of target data collection. This is achieved through the use of site considerations, radar positioning with engineer support and zone management during planning.
Radar positioning is central to defensive operations in part that tunneling and screening crest should be utilized for survivability considerations. This can be accomplished through the use of engineer support. Engineer support assets can be used to improve on the current site and/or they can construct a means to increase the survivability of the WLR. Target acquisition planners must also consider transitions to offensive tasks such as counterattacks.
The first consideration is the use of the radar’s zone capabilities to provide coverage for critical units or installations using Critical Friendly Zone (CFZs). CFZ’s are an indication of assets that are deemed as essential to mission accomplishment. If the Brigade Commander does not identify these assets, the FSCOORD or FSO must query the commander for the necessary guidance. Once the guidance is obtained, the information is passed to the Fires Cell for implementation. Another consideration is the development of Call for Fire Zones (CFFZs). CFFZs indicate a possible enemy indirect fire system and therefore the intent is to suppress, neutralize or destroy those weapon systems. Lastly, Artillery Target Intelligence Zones (ATIZs) assist in the uncertainty of hostile weapon systems and to help the development of the situation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this paper provides key lessons learned for FA battalions executing defensive operations. The FA battalion staff and S3 have a large role in ensuring Battery Commanders have the necessary information, FATS, or fighting products available to conduct TLPs, identify friction, and ultimately ensure they have a firing solution for all primary and alternate targets assigned on the TLWS. Additionally, Battery Commanders must understand what is next. What is expected of the Battery during the next phase? Am I ready to execute defensive operations and transition to subsequent phases? The FSC must also maintain communication with the FA Battalion Staff, S3, and Battery Commanders to ensure the Battalion is postured to support the current defense and beyond. Lastly, successful radar employment is critical to providing necessary counterfire locating capability during defensive operations to allow maneuver to hold their battle positions.
Wolf Team POCs: Lt. Col. Matthew M. Fox, Capt. Jeremy A. Carroll, Capt. Taylor A. Griffin, Capt. Andrew S. Guglielmo, Capt. Richard A. Moreno, Capt. Christopher W. Mauldin, CW3 Rusty Hurley
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