Fire Support Troop-Leading Procedures (TLP): Combat Training Center (CTC) Quarterly Bulletin 2QTR

FIRE SUPPORT TROOP-LEADING PROCEDURES (TLP)
"A WAY"

by CPT Kyle M. McClelland, Fire Support Analyst, National Training Center

Too often at NTC, Fire Support Officers (FSOs) at task force and company/team level have difficulty incorporating all facets of fire support into their TLP process. The use of checklists and matrices has been shown to be helpful to FSOs in developing effective SOPs. The following "checklist" incorporates all aspects that a task force or company/ team (Co/Tm) FSO should address during the TLP process.

TROOP-LEADING PROCEDURES PROCESS

Receive Mission
Issue Warning Order
Make a Tentative Plan
Initiate Movement
Reconnoiter
Complete the Plan
Issue the Order
Supervise and Refine

Procedure 1. Receive Mission

1. Obtain the following information:

A. From the S-2, IPB/Intelligence update brief

(1) Who, what, when, where, and why of potential enemy actions

(2) Most likely and dangerous enemy COAs

(3) Enemy organization for combat and equipment

(4) Enemy fire support capabilities and how they can influence our operations

(5) High pay-off targets (HPTs)

B. From the S-3, task force OPORDs/FRAGOs/WARNOs

(1) Commander's intent

(2) Mission and concept of the operation

(3) Task organization

(4) Copies of graphics, DST, execution/synchronization matrix

C. From the task force FSO, fire support plan

(1) Task force commander's concept for fire support

(2) Fire support assets available--locations, weapons status, range capabilities

(3) Additions, changes, deletions to fire support task organization

(4) Concept/scheme of fires; HHQs/task force/adjacent units (to include effects)

(5) Priority of fires and how it will be executed/triggered

(6) Allocation of targets; priority targets, FPFs, Copperhead (CPH)

(7) Allocation of mortars and close air support (CAS)

(8) Ammunition on hand and available for planning

(9) Fire support plan to support reconnaissance, security operations, TAA operations and tactical road marches

(10) Target responsibility and observation plan (to include directed OPs)

(11) Triggers - marking standards and requirements

(12) Fire support coordination measures (FSCMs)

(13) Coordinating instructions:

(a) Target list with all special instructions

(b) Engagement criteria by phase/event

(d) Communications plan (voice/digital)

(e) Clearance of fire procedures

(f) Radar zone allocations

(g) Special fire support considerations

(h) Target cut-off time

(i) Time, place and means (FM/face-to-face/map) of task force/brigade fire support rehearsals

2. Present initial backbrief (confirmation brief). After receipt of the OPORD, the task force commander may require the Co/Tm commander to briefback the plan to ensure that initial planning guidance is understood. The following is a recommended format for the fire support portion of the briefback.

A. Purpose of fires

(1) Task force commander's concept for fire support

(2) Specified fire support tasks

(3) Implied fire support tasks

(4) Essential fire support tasks

B. Priority of fires (POF)

(1) Scheme of fires (HHQs, task force, adjacent units - FA and mortars)

(2) Hand-off or transition of POF from HHQ to task force or adjacent units

(3) Co/Tm responsibilities in executing fire support plan

C. Assets available and allocations

(1) Location of all artillery units and mortars

(2) Ammunition available to support all phases of the operation

(3) Special ammunition allocations - FASCAM, smoke, illumination, CPH

D. Restrictions

(1) Ammunition constraints

(2) Range limitations

(3) FSCMs

(4) Rules of Engagement (ROE)

(5) Land management issues

(6) Areas of accepted risk - when FA will not be available due to repositioning, etc.

Procedure 2. Issue Warning Order

In concert with the Co/Tm commander's WARNO, the Co/Tm FO takes the following actions:

1. Briefs all available information on the execution of fires and provides fire support documents to FOs, commanders, PLs, Mortars and attachments.

2. Gets Co/Tm commander's tentative timeline, and ensures Co/Tm fire support backbriefs, rehearsals and COMMEXs are integrated.

3. Begins Pre-command Checks/Pre-command Inspections (PCCs/PCIs). Uses the following checklist, with modifications as appropriate to support his specific mission, unit, and SOP.

COMPANY FIRE SUPPORT TLP
Pre-Combat Checks and Inspections Checklist

1. FSO and FSNCO assign PCC/PCI priorities of work and integrate them with the Co/Tm PCI checklist.

2. Include operational status, maintenance (PMCS) and accountability of the following as a minimum:

Fire support equipment

a. FIST DMD and FED

b. G/VLLD with cables; mounted and dismounted operational status

c. Navigation devices

d. Night-vision equipment and night sights

e. Binoculars

f. Laser range finders

g. Compass (declinated)

h. Copperhead templates/OF fans for dismounted operations

i. Boresight collimeters

Communications equipment

a. Basic load of batteries

b. Battery charger status or charged batteries on-hand

c. Antennas, to include field-expedient means

d. Required cables and radio status

e. Radio functions check

Vehicle load plan

a. Fuel and water

b. POL products

c. PLL status for belts, if available

d. Crew-served weapons/ammunitions - zeroed, head space and timing

e. ID marking system IAW SOP

Personal packing list/load plan

a. Food, ammo

b. LCE, rucksack

c. VS-17 panels, chem lights, flashlights

d. Protective mask

e. Weapons

f. Special equipment required for mission

g. Dismounted rucksack with own PCC/PCI checklist (METT-T)

h. Combat medic equipment/aid bag

Fire support and maneuver documents

a. Map, with: DST, execution matrix, most current SITEMP, FSEM, task force consolidated graphics, brigade consolidated target list, intelligence update

b. Battle-tracking documents, reports, manuals, checklists, call sign board

Mortars

a. Ammo distribution/load plan, pre-stock plan, drop-off plan, resupply

b. Displacement criteria and positioning plan

c. Fire support documents

d. Communication plan

e. MET plan/survey

Procedure 3. Make a Tentative Plan

1. The Co/Tm commander begins his mission analysis, estimate of the situation, METT-T, and course of action (COA) development (identify a clear task and purpose for fire support).

2. The Co/Tm FSO provides the capabilities and limitations for fire support for each COA (i.e., can tasks and purposes be achieved?).

3. The Co/Tm command makes a decision and issues fire support planning guidance to the Co/Tm FSO.

4. The Co/Tm FSO receives, as a minimum, the following guidance from the Co/Tm commander prior to planning:

A. The commander's objectives for fires.

B. Desired effects, when, where and why, and the relationship of fires and maneuver.

C. Priority targets, FPFs, smoke, illuminants, obstacle coverage, special munitions, register.

D. Basic schemes of maneuver and fire with graphics.

E. Phases/events and transition between phases.

F. Main effort by phase/event and clear triggers to shift priority of fires.

G. Guidance for special operations, i.e., air assault, dismounted operations.

H. Guidance for execution of Co/Tm responsibilities in the fire support plan.

I. Initial positioning guidance for observers.

5. As the Co/Tm commander refines his plan, the Co/Tm FSO plans concurrently, beginning with consideration of the factors of METT-T as they apply to fire support. Consider the following:

A. Co/Tm FSEM - scheme of fires.

B. Development of Co/Tm target.

C. Fire support overlay - all planned targets, FSCMs, PAs, Mortar firing points.

D. Observation plan - assignment of targets within Co/Tm.

E. Mortar plan, if available, coordinated with Mortar PL.

F. Engagement criteria for artillery and mortars by phases/events.

Procedure 4. Initiate Movement

1. Position FIST-V, G/VLLD, observers. Do this prior to security of operations if possible.

2. Emplace mortars to provide support (TAA/recon/security operations).

Procedure 5. Reconnoiter

1. METT-T will determine the type of reconnaissance the commander will conduct. If possible, "walk the terrain" with the commander to confirm the following:

A. Targets support scheme of maneuver. Refine if necessary.

B. Proposed observer positions can see target and triggers (EA, obstacles, routes, key terrain).

C. Movement or repositioning plan for observers (routes), FIST-V, dismounted, FOs.

2. During and after the reconnaissance, an intermediate briefback to the Co/Tm commander may be practical to gain approval of the fire support plan/concept prior to the development of the final fire support plan and issuance of the Co/Tm OPORD.

Procedure 6. Complete the Plan

1. The Co/Tm FSO will complete the fire support plan, with modifications, and produce the following products to issue to key personnel at the Co/Tm OPORD brief, with a copy furnished to the task force FSO:

A. Co/Tm fire plan.

B. Target list worksheet.

C. Fire support overlay, to include FSCMs.

D. Co/Tm FSEM.

2. The Co/Tm FSO continues coordination with the task force FSO. He should deconflict target duplications and refine accordingly. Review with the FSO the possible implied refinement tasks.

Procedure 7. Issue the Order

EXAMPLE CO/TM FSO OPORD BRIEF:

(References: FM 6-20-20, FM 6-20-40, FM 6-71, Fort Sill handouts, discussions with OBC/OAC small groups, TTPs from Armor Task Force Combat Trainers (Cobras), Fire Support system observations from 46 NTC rotations.)

COMPANY FIRE SUPPORT BRIEF

1. SITUATION: Issue fire support documents. Orient the audience to the terrain model.

A. ENEMY: Restate the known enemy locations, most likely/dangerous COAs and how enemy fire support assets could influence the Co/Tm (phases of fire, ranges, ammo).

B. FRIENDLY: Identify units to the front, rear, left and right flanks and a brief scheme of fires, if known.

2. MISSION: Restate the company mission, verbatim.

3. EXECUTION:

A. Restate HHQ, task force, and Co/Tm commander's concept for fire support.

B. Fire support assets available - DS/R/GSR/GS, mortars, CAS.

C. Priority of fires, priority targets, FPFs.

D. Special munitions available.

(1) FA/Mortar smoke in minutes

(2) FA/Mortar illuminants in minutes

(3) CPH available and systems to designate

(4) FASCAM plan

E. Scheme of fires.

(1) Use FSEM to describe fire plan from start to finish

(2) Target responsibilities

(3) Observer plan with primary and backup assigned; movement plan

(4) Triggers for execution, formal or informal

(5) FSCMs for operation

(6) Engagement criteria by phases/events

(7) Scheme of mortar support; movement, positioning, displacement triggers, concept

(8) Radar plan

(9) Coordinating instructions; HPT, HVTs, ROE

4. SERVICE SUPPORT:

A. Mortar ammunition resupply, load plan, CSRs for various munitions.

B. Medical evacuation plan

C. Fire support equipment status; vehicles, commo, weapons.

5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL:

A. Task organization.

B. Clearance of fire procedures.

C. FIST-V positioning plan. Employment options.

D. Chain of command if FSO is killed.

E. Call signs and frequencies; FA, Mortars, other fire support nets.

Procedure 8. Supervise and Refine

1. Conduct coordination for execution with task force; changes, refinements to the plan.

2. Supervise completion of PCCs/PCIs.

3. Conduct Co/Tm backbriefs. Participants include FOs, RTOs, Mortar section sergeants and FDC personnel, PLs, and anyone responsible for executing the fire plan.

4. Conduct a Co/Tm fire support rehearsal.

A. The fire support rehearsal should be conducted by the FSO or FSNCO.

B. Rehearse actions on the objective backwards. Action-reaction-counteraction is a method.

C. Rehearse the technical and tactical aspects. Have the observers call for fire (CFF) using actual grids and observer locations while the mortars compute technical data.

D. Rehearse where, who, what and how fires will be executed:

(1) Priority targets, FPFs, groups/series, triggers

(2) POF by phase/event

(3) Primary and backup observers

(4) Communication plan

(5) Clearance of fire procedures

(6) Emplace triggers and backup/hasty triggers

5. If time permits, conduct a Co/Tm combined arms rehearsal to enhance synchronization of both the scheme of fires and maneuver.