FUNCTIONS
Targeting functions at brigade and TF level include the following:
- Develop the HPTL.
- Develop attack guidance.
- Establish TSS.
- Nominate targets to higher headquarters.
- Develop and synchronize the reconnaissance and surveillance plan.
- Synchronize maneuver and fire support.
- Integrate countermobility, mobility, and survivability operations.
- Receive and evaluate BDA.
- Monitor fire support systems and ammunition.
- Develop and synchronize the reconnaissance and surveillance plan with the fire support plan. (Focus on positioning observers early to support the top-down fire plan.)
PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
The fast-paced, ever-changing nature of the battlefield at brigade and TF levels presents challenges to the targeting process, including:
- Brigade OPTEMPO affects when and where targets will be acquired.
- Targets are generally highly mobile.
- The brigade has limited assets with which to detect and attack deep targets, especially moving targets.
- Planning time is limited, and planners are also executers.
- Planning is primarily focused on current operations out to the next 36 hours.
Planning considerations at TF and brigade levels are virtually the same. Plans must be simple, but contain sufficient detail so that subordinate units can execute them with precision and vigor. Rehearsals are critical for success on the battlefield. Planning time must be allocated for rehearsals. Rehearsals clarify the fire plan for observers, sensor operators, attack system managers, and the maneuver units they support. They facilitate the synchronization of maneuver with fire support.
There is normally not enough planning time available for the brigade FSCOORD and FSO to wait for subordinate elements to forward targets for inclusion in for fire support plan. Top-down fire planning overcomes this lack of planning time. Fire support plans are disseminated to subordinate levels as early as possible and contain the following:
- Commander's intent and concept of fires.
- Targeting guidance.
- HPTL and AGM.
- Specific taskings for brigade targets.
- FSCMs for integration and synchronization with TF plans.
A fire support execution matrix is often used to disseminate this information.
The FSCOORD establishes a reasonable cutoff time for submitting routine changes to the target list before the start of combat operations. Targeting is a continuous process, and emergency and critically important changes will be accommodated anytime. However, the time for routine changes must be limited to allow time to finalize, disseminate, and rehearse the fire support plan.
Targeting functions at TF level rely heavily on the targeting products from brigade. The targeting team must understand the brigade commander's targeting guidance, to include the following:
- Criteria for attack and engagement.
- HPTs.
- Any constraints during each phase of the battle.
The targeting team must know--
- What targets are planned in the TF zone.
- What responsibilities the team has for brigade targets.
- What targeting detection and delivery assets are allocated to the TF.
For example, assets could include all of the following:
- CAS sorties.
- Combat observation/lasing teams (COLTs).
- Army aviation support.
- Priorities of fire.
- Allocation of special types of ammunition, such as family of scatterable mines (FASCAM) and dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICM).
The targeting team must know the FSCMs in effect during each phase of the battle. The cutoff time for submission of changes to the target list and the brigade rehearsal time are also needed.
TARGETING ORGANIZATION AND PROCESS
The brigade and TF targeting process is a part of normal battle staff operations. The key personnel in the targeting team are as follows:
- Brigade and TF commanders.
- Brigade and TF executive officer.
- Brigade and TF S2 and S3.
- DS FA battalion commander (FSCOORD).
- Brigade FSO and DS FA battalion targeting officer.
- S3 air.
- TF FSO, fire support sergeant, and company FSO.
- Intelligence and electronic warfare support officer (IEWSO).
- DS FA battalion S3 and S2.
- Other staff representatives, including the ALO, chemical officer, ADO, engineer, NGLO when applicable, and others as required.
The responsibilities of the TF targeting team mirror those of their counterparts at brigade level. The targeting process at TF level is identical to the brigade targeting process except in terms of scale and assets available. Therefore, only the brigade targeting responsibilities and process is described below.
Brigade Commander
The brigade commander directs the targeting effort. Before preparation of formal staff estimates, he must give his guidance on the following:
- What he expects the command to do.
- What must be accomplished and when and why it must be accomplished.
- How he intends to shape the battle in terms of both time and space.
- The critical enemy vulnerability that will lead most directly to mission accomplishment.
- Places and times in the battle that are critical.
- Desired end state respecting time, force, enemy, and terrain.
- Which units have priority of fires.
- Guidance on what he thinks are the most important targets and what general effects are desired.
- BDA requirements.
With this information, the staff prepares formal estimates. After presentation of these estimates, the commander refines his previous guidance. He approves the HPTL developed by his FSO, S3, and S2, or he amends the list and approves it. HPTs that cannot be acquired or attacked with brigade assets are forwarded to the division targeting team for consideration. The FSO develops the attack guidance and submits it to the commander for approval. As the battle progresses and more information becomes available, the commander may have to change his guidance to react to changes.
Brigade S2
The brigade S2 must inform other brigade staff personnel, the DS FA S2, and task force S2s of the following:
- Target arrays.
- Enemy capabilities and projected COAs.
- The civilian situation (in the absence of an S5).
- HVTs.
To do this, the S2 leads the staff IPB, by using the tools of TVA, and applies what he knows about the enemy situation. This provides abase of HVTs that is adjusted according to current enemy dispositions and composition.
After the HPTL is approved, the S2 determines which targets can be acquired with organic, attached or assets in support of the brigade. Targets that cannot be acquired at brigade level are translated into requests for information from higher headquarters.
The brigade S2 coordinates with the DS FA S2 and targeting officer and TF S2s for the collection and distribution of targeting information. This includes production of the TSS matrix for TA assets supporting the brigade. He also plans and supervises an aggressive collection effort focused on the brigade HPTs, PIR, and IR.
The S2 must inform the other members of the staff when major changes in the tactical situation warrant reevaluation of the HPTL. After the S3 and FSO state requirements for timeliness and accuracy, the S2 must translate these into collection taskings. The S2 must work closely with the FSO and S3 to decide which targets are best suited for coordinated attack. A coordinated attack may involve a combination of a wide array of attack methods to include--
- Destructive methods.
- Electronic monitoring.
- Offensive EW.
- Deception to enhance the effectiveness of the attack.
The S2 must also advise the S3 on BDA collection capabilities.
The brigade S2 must develop a comprehensive reconnaissance and surveillance plan. The role of the reconnaissance and surveillance plan has not changed on the modern battlefield. If anything it has become even more important. The plan must tell commanders what they need to know in time for them to act. It is commander-oriented and commander-directed. The reconnaissance and surveillance plan will answer the commander's PIR by tasking appropriate assets to gather information. It will also ensure that observers are focused on designated NAIs to facilitate the targeting effort. The brigade S2 and the FSO will coordinate indirect fires planned to support reconnaissance and surveillance assets. (For additional information, see FM 34-2-1.)
Brigade S3
The brigade S3 must work closely with the brigade S2 and FSO to prioritize the HPTL before its approval by the commander. Priorities should address the following:
- When the targets should be engaged.
- The desired effect on the target.
- Those target types that should be attacked immediately.
The decision to designate a target type for immediate attack is especially critical. To attack that target type, assets may have to be diverted from a mission in progress.
The S3 is responsible for giving a detailed interpretation of the commander's concept of the operation to all personnel engaged in brigade-level targeting. The guidance that results from this interpretation must specify the targets that the commander feels are most important and the targets that pose the greatest threat to the mission. The S3 should specify the desired effects on the target when they are different from those recommended by the FSO or S2. He should decide where or when HPTs should be attacked for the greatest benefit to the friendly operation. For those targets that are important to the brigade but that the brigade cannot engage efficiently, the S3 or FSO must coordinate with division. Although the emphasis is on HPTs, other targets of lower priority also maybe attacked.
Direct Support Artillery Battalion Commander
As the brigade FSCOORD, the commander of the DS FA advises the brigade commander as he formulates his concept. He advises and assists the brigade commander in all aspects of fire support planning, coordination, and synchronization with maneuver. The FSCOORD must be involved in the planning and orders process, briefings, and rehearsals. His development of the scheme of fire support together with the rest of the brigade battle staff is critical. The scheme of fire support includes the following:
- Movement and positioning of attack systems and observers.
- Incorporation of all available fire support (FS) assets to include mortars.
- Target prioritization, selection of volume of fire on critical targets, and sequencing of target engagement.
- Selection of where and when fires of the FA battalion and any reinforcing artillery should be massed.
The duty location of the FSCOORD at any given time is where he can best execute the brigade commander's scheme of fire support. The factors of mission, enemy, terrain, troops, and time available (METT-T) dictate his location. He may be most effective when accompanying the brigade commander; however, in other circumstances, he may be better able to control available fire support in the brigade TOC.
Brigade Fire Support Officer
The brigade FSO participates in the battle staff war-gaming process to develop the HPTL and AGM. He prepares the brigade FS execution matrix and coordinates with the TF FSOs. This coordination is necessary to ensure TF plans--
- Meet the brigade commander's guidance.
- Avoid unplanned duplication.
- Use all assets assigned to the TF.
- Assign observers for all brigade targets assigned to the TF.
The brigade FSO coordinates the attack of targets by all fire support attack systems. With the brigade S2, he positions and controls brigade observation assets. He advises the commander, executive officer, and S3 on the following:
- The ability of the fire support system to defeat HPTs and other designated targets.
- The best means of attack.
- The best type of munitions to achieve the commander's desired results.
Once the HPTL is approved, the FSO ensures that fire planning and fire support requests are processed according to the brigade commander's guidance. The FSO informs the DS FA battalion and TF FSOs of the target types designated HPTs and targets that must be processed quickly. He is responsible for developing the AGM.
Targeting Officer
The targeting officer from the DS FA battalion is employed in the brigade CP. Here, he facilitates the exchange of information between the brigade and FA battalion S2s and the FSE. This is similar to the functioning of the FAIO at higher levels. In this capacity, he helps the S2 and the FSO determine specific target vulnerabilities. He also must be able to state the enemy vulnerabilities created by loss of certain functions or capabilities. The targeting officer, in coordination with the FSO, consolidates and distributes the restricted target list. During operations, he monitors compliance with the restrictions and reports incidents where the restrictions have been violated.
The targeting officer, under the FSO's guidance, formulates the attack guidance used in the brigade and DS FA battalion CP. As the tactical situation changes, the targeting officer recommends changes to the attack guidance. To keep other targeting agencies informed, the approved brigade attack guidance is forwarded to the following:
- Div arty CP.
- Task force FSOs.
- Division FSE.
The targeting officer advises the brigade S2 on specific TLE and dwell time requirements to be considered viable for attack. He and the S2 are responsible for producing TSS for the brigade.
The targeting officer helps the brigade S2 synchronize the reconnaissance and surveillance plan with the FS plan. He also helps control TA assets organic, attached, and in support of the brigade.
Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Support Officer
The division MI battalion provides an IEWSO to the brigade to serve as the liaison with the MI unit supporting the brigade. The IEWSO, in coordination with the S2 and S3, coordinates IEW targeting taskings with the supporting MI unit and the MI battalion. He helps coordinate terrain management for the MI collection effort. The IEWSO advises on supporting assets and passes targeting information from supporting IEW elements to the S2. The IEWSO also advises the brigade S2 on the capabilities of EW assets in support of brigade operations. The brigade S2 and targeting officer provide the HPTL, PIR and TSS information to the IEWSO.
Direct Support Artillery Battalion S3
The DS FA battalion S3 is responsible for operations of the battalion. He is responsible for controlling the fires of the battalion and supporting artillery units. He must ensure that targets are attacked according to the priorities established by the brigade. He must make sure that the FDC processes targets in accordance with the commander's attack guidance.
Direct Support Artillery Battalion S2
The DS FA battalion S2 supervises the operations of any TA assets attached to the battalion. He advises the S3 on their employment, which includes the following:
- Primary and secondary search zones.
- Coverage of the brigade zone.
- Operating limitations based on the acquisition and attack threats in zone.
The S2 formulates the radar deployment order (RDO), as described in FM 6-121, to control radar coverage and operations. The S3 approves the RDO after considering the guidance and taskings received from both brigade and force artillery headquarters. The S2, with the fire direction officer, advises the S3 on munitions effects against particular targets. The DS FA battalion S2, supported by the FSE, is the primary intelligence link between the FA battalion TOC and the brigade TOC.
SYNCHRONIZATION
The key to effective synchronization of targeting is the thorough use of the targeting process in the planning, preparation, and execution of the maneuver plan. As the commander and staff form the operations plan during the war-gaming process, the DST is developed. It is the key to synchronizing the FS plan with the scheme of maneuver. The DST facilitates the war gaming between the S3, S2, FSO, engineer, ADO, and ALO. It also identifies critical fire support triggers on the battlefield and is an aid in synchronizing the BOS. The war-gaming process identifies the decision points for the commander. The DST graphically portrays the decision points and the options available to the commander if an action occurs. The DST provides the information required to provide effective fires in support of the maneuver force.
The attack guidance provided FS personnel and units must define how, when, with what restrictions, and in what priority to attack different targets. This should include guidance on the following:
- Final protective fires (FPFs).
- Screening fires.
- Obscuration.
- Illumination.
- Positioning.
- Engagement method.
- Counterfire targets.
Firing units must know the critical time and location they must be in to support each phase of an operation.
The commander, FSCOORD, and FSOs should remember that all tasks must be assigned. If a task is not assigned to an individual, everyone will believe it is someone else's responsibility. Unassigned tasks may never be carried out. For example, simply assigning responsibility for firing on a planned target is not enough. The criteria for firing must be made clear. Previsions must be made to ensure the FO or FSO in question is fully aware of his responsibilities and will be able to carry out the task.
The FS execution matrix is the blueprint for executing the fires portion of the OPORD and should correspond to the synchronization matrix. There is no specific format for how an FS execution matrix is set up. An example is shown below. The matrix should be clear, simple, and convey the commander's concept of fires and plan for execution. It must be easy to work with and detailed enough to implement. It should be tied to the events on the DST. The brigade FS execution matrix allocates resources and assigns responsibilities for observing and executing brigade targets. It defines the transition from the brigade to the TF fight. The TF FS execution matrix is a stand-alone document. It is detailed enough for task force and company FSOs to assume control and execute the TF commander's intent for fire support. A more detailed explanation of the fire support execution matrix is in FMs 6-20-40 and 6-20-50.
At TF level, the TF FSO prepares the fire support execution matrix. (See the figure below.) He coordinates with the company FSOs and mortar platoon leader. In conjunction with the TF S3, he positions and controls the organic mortars of the TF. With the S2, he positions and controls observation assets. This coordination is needed to ensure the FS plan--
- Meets the commander's guidance.
- Avoids unplanned duplication.
- Uses all assets assigned to the TF.
- Assigns observers and backup observers for all TF targets and brigade targets assigned to the TF.
- Specifies who, when, where, and how for detecting and delivering fires on targets.
Clear, well-practiced SOPs within division, brigade, and task force teams are essential to synchronizing the targeting effort. The SOPs must specify when and how taskings and requests for support and information are to be passed.
Rehearsals are required to build confidence and understanding among all BOS before combat operations. Rehearsals at all levels are key to understanding--
- The concept of the operation.
- Verifying specific responsibilities and timing.
- Backup procedures to help synchronize unit operations.
A rehearsal is an effective tool for identifying and refining battle plans. However, rehearsals should not be used for making major changes to the plan. Any last-minute, major changes to the scheme of maneuver made during rehearsals may cause a reduction in the effectiveness of fire support.
The key FS points that should be emphasized during rehearsals are:
- Positioning and movement plans of fire support and target acquisition systems are synchronized with the maneuver concept of operations and the reconnaissance and surveillance plan.
- TA plan under the supervision of the FA S2 is verified.
- Integration of the TA and intelligence collection plan is verified.
- FS plan incorporating lethal and nonlethal attack assets is validated with the scheme of maneuver, the commander's intent, and the attack guidance.
- Obstacle and barrier plan of the maneuver force is incorporated into the FS plan.
- Fire support and maneuver control measures are fully integrated.
- Target locations, engagement criteria, rules of engagement, and trigger points or events to initiate attack are verified.
- Fire support plan and reconnaissance and surveillance plan are synchronized with the maneuver concept of operations and meets the commander's intent.
- Primary and backup observers for each target are assigned to support the fire support plan.
- Battlefield handoff points to indicate transition from the brigade fight to the battalion TF fight are clearly identified; for example, phase lines, terrain features, grid coordinates, and so forth.
- Responsibilities for clearance of fires are clearly spelled out.
Rehearsals are conducted early enough for essential personnel to attend, disseminate and implement changes, and get into position before plan execution. If time does not permit a complete rehearsal with all essential personnel and equipment, some form of rehearsal must take place with all key leaders. It can be as simple as a leader discussion over a sand table or a radio rehearsal tactical exercise without troops over similar terrain. Rehearsals provide the commander and the FSCOORD with a final opportunity to synchronism the FS plan with the scheme of maneuver before the battle. If possible, the fire support plan should be rehearsed with the maneuver plan. A combined rehearsal improves responsiveness of fires and synchronization of all BOS. At the end of an effective rehearsal, everyone involved in the detecting and delivery functions of the targeting process should know their responsibilities and the cues for action.
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