PERFORM OVERWATCH/SUPPORT BY FIRE

Agenda

• Planning– Mission Analysis– Task Organization– ID Key Events– Rates of Fire– SBF Math

• Layout• Execution

– Occupation– Control– Displacement

Planning - Mission Analysis• Standard mission analysis• Look at task and purpose first - the purpose will help you how to

break down sub-tasks• Assets Available (M240Bs, M203, M249, MTR, SNP, .50 cal,

JAV, Mk-19, AT4, LAW, RW/FW CAS, C2, FO, Medic, Security) • What is your Decisive Point• How can you influence the Decisive Point• Use HE to Kill / Destroy - Small Arms to suppress• Terrain - will determine Equipment List - Tripods, Sustained Fire

Kits, lasers, radios, ammo, SKEDCOs, Quad, Thermals, Bat Lights, Strobes, GPS, Viper, Binos, 3x Magnifiers, AC130 beacons, CLUs, spare barrels

Planning - Task Organization

• Must have security for your element• Assign Task and Purpose to each element (may have multiple sub-

unit tasks - suppress, block, fix, isolate,etc)• One event must allow the next event to happen (H-00:08 to H-

00:05 A/C allows RW CAS to infil; H-00:05 to H-00:02 RW CAS allows 60mm MTR sec to infil, H-:02 to H-HR MTRs allow SBF to infil, H-HR M240Bs fire to allow AT Sec to move into position, etc)

• If you need more assets - ask!• Angles, MSDs, REDS, SDZs - control / limit them through your

planning - don’t let them control you• ID TRPs or Engagement Areas to focus fires, shifts, etc• Must have coverage over entire area trying to suppress but at the

same time don’t waste too many weapons systems on one target

Planning - ID Key Events• Goes back to purpose of SBF Position• Examples:

– Support Breach

– Destroy Bunkers

– Destroy Guard Towers

– Destroy C2 Buildings / Bunkers

– Infil of subsequent A/C serials

– Counter-Attack / Consolidation and Reorganization

• Allocate weapon systems and ammo to each (integrated into the Assault Leaders maneuver plan)

• Might have to split up or displace to subsequent positions to accomplish these tasks

• After you have allocated ammo / weapons for key events then you can look at suppression to allow movement (this time estimate must be given to you by Assault Leader)

Echeloning Example

B - A

ATK PSNMARY

155mm MSD

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL ASPENPL ASPEN

PL DENVER PL DENVER

PL VAILLD

PL VAILLD

A - C

PL BOULDERPL BOULDER

Echeloning Example

B - A

ATK PSNMARY

155mm MSD

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL ASPENPL ASPEN

PL DENVER PL DENVER

PL VAILLD

PL VAILLD

A - C

PL BOULDERPL BOULDER

Echeloning Example

B - A

ATK PSNMARY

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL ASPENPL ASPEN

PL DENVER PL DENVER

PL VAILLD

PL VAILLD

A - C

PL BOULDERPL BOULDER

105mm MSD

105mm MSD

Echeloning ExampleB - A

ATK PSNMARY

PL ASPENPL ASPEN

PL DENVER PL DENVER

PL VAILLD

PL VAILLD

A - C

PL BOULDERPL BOULDER

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

Echeloning ExampleB - A

ATK PSNMARY

PL ASPENPL ASPEN

PL DENVER PL DENVER

PL VAILLD

PL VAILLD

A - C

PL BOULDERPL BOULDER

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

81mm MSD

Echeloning ExampleB - A

ATK PSNMARY

PL ASPENPL ASPEN

PL DENVER PL DENVER

PL VAILLD

PL VAILLD

A - C

PL BOULDERPL BOULDER

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

81mm MSD

Echeloning ExampleB - A

ATK PSNMARY

PL ASPENPL ASPEN

PL DENVER PL DENVER

PL VAILLD

PL VAILLD

A - C

PL BOULDERPL BOULDER

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

81mm MSD

SBF

Echeloning ExampleB - A

ATK PSNMARY

PL ASPENPL ASPEN

PL DENVER PL DENVER

PL VAILLD

PL VAILLD

A - C

PL BOULDERPL BOULDER

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

SBF(-)

81mm MSD

ATK BF

(+)

Echeloning ExampleB - A

ATK PSNMARY

PL ASPENPL ASPEN

PL DENVER PL DENVER

PL VAILLD

PL VAILLD

A - C

PL BOULDERPL BOULDER

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

SBF(-)

ATK BF

60mm MSD

(+)

Echeloning ExampleB - A

ATK PSNMARY

PL ASPENPL ASPEN

PL DENVER PL DENVER

PL VAILLD

PL VAILLD

A - C

PL BOULDERPL BOULDER

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

SBF

60mm MSD

(-)

ATK BF

(+)

Echeloning ExampleB - A

ATK PSNMARY

PL ASPENPL ASPEN

PL DENVER PL DENVER

PL VAILLD

PL VAILLD

A - C

PL BOULDERPL BOULDER

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

SBF(-)

ATK BF

(+)

Echeloning ExampleB - A

ATK PSNMARY

PL ASPENPL ASPEN

PL DENVER PL DENVER

PL VAILLD

PL VAILLD

A - C

PL BOULDERPL BOULDER

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

SBF(-)

ATK BF

(+)

Echeloning ExampleB - A

ATK PSNMARY

PL ASPENPL ASPEN

PL DENVER PL DENVER

PL VAILLD

PL VAILLD

A - C

PL BOULDERPL BOULDER

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

SBF(-)

ATK BF

(+)

Echeloning ExampleB - A

ATK PSNMARY

PL ASPENPL ASPEN

PL DENVER PL DENVER

PL VAILLD

PL VAILLD

A - C

PL BOULDERPL BOULDER

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

SBF(-)

ATK BF

(+)

Echeloning Example

B - A

ATK PSNMARY

PL ASPENPL ASPEN

PL DENVER PL DENVER

PL VAILLD

PL VAILLD

A - C

PL BOULDERPL BOULDER

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

PL CO SPRINGSLOA

SBF

(-)

(+)

Planning - Rates of Fire

• Sustained– 100 rounds per minute– Fired in 6-9 round bursts– 4-5 seconds between bursts (barrel change every 10 minutes)

• Rapid– 200 rounds per minute– Fired in 10-12 round bursts– 2-3 seconds between bursts (barrel change every 2 minutes)

• Cyclic– 650-950 rounds per minute– Continuous bursts (barrel change every minute)

Planning - SBF Math• Must do it for each Weapon System• M240B Example - 3 x M240Bs in SBF Position

1) ID Key Events• Breach Chain Link Fence• Counter-Attack of 3-4 Light Skinned Vehicles with 30 Enemy PAX• C&R

2) Allocate ammo to each key event• Breach (30 seconds rapid prior to breach / 30 seconds after) = 200 rds per• 100 rounds per gun for Counter-Attack = 100 rounds per• 200 rounds per gun for C&R = 200 rounds per

3) Support movements with suppressive fires• Support movement to breach (10 minutes) = SROF is 100 rds per minute x 10 minutes = 1000 rounds divided by 2

guns = 500 rounds per gun. • Support movement from 1st OBJ to the next (5 minutes) = SROF of 100 rds per minute x 5 minutes = 500 rounds

divided by 2 guns = 250 rounds per gun

4) Add everything together• Breach (200) + Counter-Attack (100) + C&R (200) + 1st movement (500) + 2nd movement (250) = 1250 rounds per

gun

IS THIS TOO MUCH - WHAT DO I HAVE RIGHT NOW????

Planning - SBF Math• Look at the key events - Can we flex there? NO• How much fire am I getting during my movements?

– 100 rounds per minute (SROF = 1(6 to 9 round) burst every 4-5 seconds = 12 bursts total = 100 rounds) 100 x 10minutes = 1000rds divided by 2 guns = 500

– Do I need that? Not necessarily - OK work backwards

• I want one 9 round burst every 10 seconds– 60 seconds divided by 10 seconds = 6 bursts per minute x 9 round bursts = 54

rounds per minute x 10 minutes = 540 rounds divided by 2 guns = 270 rounds per gun (a difference of 230 rounds per gun from the original)

• New round count = 1020 rounds per gun• And all you gave up was 5 seconds in between bursts

Layout

• Look at angles - how can I cover all the areas I need to (Angles)• Don’t neglect rear and flank security• C2 where you need it• Where can FO see and adjust fires• Do I have to displace guns to accomplish my purpose• Do I have redundancy? (BPTs?)• Who helps me if I get into trouble?• Where are CAS Holding Orbits - do they effect my direct and indirect fires?

OBJ

C2

CCP

Execution - Occupation• Security element leads in• The biggest weapon system gets the best position• If not covert, then one event allows the next to happen (ie mortars fire on the OBJ to

allow the SBF element to move into position without being engaged by effective fire, then the M240Bs fire to allow the mortars to move forward (to go hand held) and to allow the AT team to come forward and destroy __). All of this sets conditions to allow the assault force to move forward to ___)

• If it is not covert, then some or all (METT-T) M240Bs need to go to bipod initially - once you have sufficient suppressive fires, then cycle the M240Bs one at a time to tripod

• WSL / SBF Element Leader needs to positively ID sectors of fire (lasers / tracers) and activate them and give initial fire command to get everyone started

• After that element leaders continue to search for better positions to fire (angles) and watch/monitor assault force progress

• FO moves to position where he can observe and control fires

Execution - Control• Overall element leader makes calls to assault force leader or overall GFC• Must have a solid comms architecture (primary and backup) within the SBF Position• All must know and understand lift and shift signals• Use WSLs to control M240B gunners - have the next higher leader monitor assault

force progress and signal shifts / lifts• Must have good lash-up with your security element• CCP Operations - and tie-in with Company• Exfil HLZs - good task for security element to clear and secure• WSLs must know round counts• ID a level of leader that can allow you to dip into ammunition allocated for C&R and

Counter-Attacks (not the individual gunners choice!!)• Give SA to Assault Force leader if you are in a vantage point to see• Let everyone know before executing a Big Bang (AT, CAS, etc)• Must do airspace deconfliction if controlling assets that fly and shoot

Execution - Displacement

• Not the whole element at once• Still might have to clear that location of enemy PAX• Breakdown M240Bs the same way you set them up - cycle them off

tripod (one at a time) to bipod and then once on bipod you can get ready to move

• Send up a recon party to make sure you can accomplish your purpose at the next location

• Rehearse RTC with this hodge-podge element in the event that you do take contact

Control Measures

• Target • Target Reference Point (TRP)• Sectors of Fire• Trigger• Restrictive Fire Line (RFL)• Coordinated Fire Line (CFL)• Free Fire Area (FFA)• No Fire Area (NFA)• Boundaries

Target

• An area designated and numbered for future firing

Note: You plan to shoot at this object or point with Indirect Fires

Ref. Page 3-24 FM 101-5-1

• An easily recognizable point on the ground (natural or man-made) used to initiate, distribute, and control fires

• Numbered/lettered using different system than indirect fire targets

• TRPs are not always a place/object that you plan to fire at

Ref. Page 1-152 FM 101-5-1

Target Reference Point (TRP)

Sectors of Fire

• Defined area which is required to be covered by the fire of individual or crew-served weapons or the weapons of a unit

- indicate with TRPs

Trigger• Event or time-oriented criteria used to initiate planned actions directed toward achieving surprise and destruction on the enemy

• Designated point or points (along identifiable terrain) in an engagement area used to mass fires at a pre-determined range

Note: Know the reaction time of weapon systems (how long from call to effects on target) and rehearse

Ref. Page 1-157 FM 101-5-1

Restrictive Fire Line / Area (RFL / RFA)

• A line / area established between converging friendly forces

• Prohibits fires or effects of fires across the line / area without coordination with the affected force

• Established by the next higher common commander of the converging forces

• Commonly used in MOUT environment

Note: Must be identifiable to soldiers on the ground (I.e. roads, buildings, hills, etc.)

Coordinated Fire Line (CFL)

• A line beyond which conventional surface fire support means may fire at any time within the zone of the establishing headquarters without additional coordination

Free Fire Area (FFA)

• A designated area into which any weapon system may fire without additional coordination with the establishing headquarters

Ref. Page 1-71, FM 101-5-1

No Fire Area (NFA)• Area in which no fires or effects of fires are allowed. Exceptions are:

– Establishing headquarters approves fires temporarily within the NFA on a mission basis

– Enemy force within the NFA engages a friendly force, the commander may engage the enemy to defend his force

Ref. Page 1-109, FM 101-5-1

Boundaries• Control measures normally drawn along identifiable terrain features to delineate areas of tactical responsibility

• Direct fire may be placed across boundaries on clearly identified enemy targets without prior coordination

• Indirect fire across boundaries requires coordination with unit on other side of boundary

Ref. Page 1-21 FM 101-5-1

Example

• TRPs• Targets• BoundariesAB003

Example

• TRPs• Targets• BoundariesAB003

Example

• TRPs• Targets• BoundariesAB003

Example

• TRPs• Targets• Boundaries

Example

• TRPs• Targets• Boundaries

Example

• TRPs• Targets• Boundaries

• Criteria to call for / what type of rounds / weapons?• What effects do I want on the target?• When should I fire the target?

– Distance from target– Time rounds will reach target – Time troops will reach target– Number of rounds available

• Restrictions / Constraints• Who will observe / call targets?• When should rounds / weapons cease / change?

PL Decisions

• Use PLGR in continuous mode, put in targets as waypoints. • Use identifiable terrain features that are close to the MSD

distance. • Base decisions off the location of the element closest to the

target location• Give element closest to the friendly fire/target means to

communicate with the firing element and means of tracking their location (PLGR).

TTPs for Tracking MSDs

Surface Danger Zone

• The segment of the range area which is endangered by a particular type of weapon firing

• Minimize risk

• Comply with these in combat when possible

Ref. Page 1-3 AR 385-63

Surface Danger Zone

• Impact Area – five degrees of dispersion on both sides of gun target line

• Ricochet Area – five degrees beyond both sides of impact area

• Area A – parallels impact area laterally (contain fragments)

• Area B – downrange side of impact area (contain fragments)

• Area F – rear of weapon (endangered by effects)

SDZ Example

GU

N T

AR

GE

T L

INE

DIS

TA

NC

ES

X

• DISPERSION AREA

• RICOCHET AREA

IMPACT AREA

• AREA F

AR

EA

A

AR

EA

A

AREA B

Surface Danger Zone

• Shifting fires

- 40 degrees

- 15 degrees

Fire Commands

Gun 1, Fire Mission

Front

Reference: Bunker, Center Mass

Troops

300 meters

Traverse / Sustained

At My Command, Fire

Cease Fire

MORTARS: 60-mm   81-mm 107-mm   120-mm

MAX Range 3500   4800/5800 6840   7200

MIN Range 70   70/80 770   200

MAX RoF (RPM) 30   25/30 18   15

Sus. RoF (RPM) 20   8/15 3   4

TRNG MSD 250m   350m 550m   600m

CBT MSD 100m   180m 210m   250m

Ammo and Fuses HE, WP, Illum / PD, VT, TI, delay

FIELD ARTILLERY: 105-mm   105-mm 155-mm   155-mm

M102   M119A1 M109A5/A6   M198

Basic Range 11400   11500 18200   18300

Extended Range NA   14000      

DPICM Range 10500   14100 17900   18000

RAP Range 15300   19500 30000   30100

Sus. RoF (RPM) 3   3 1   2

TRNG MSD 550m   550m 725m   725m

CBT MSD 210m   210m 270m   270m

Ammo and Fuses HE, WP, Illum, HC, D/APICM HE, WP, Illum, HC, D/APICM, Smoke

SUMMARY

• Planning– Mission Analysis– Task Organization– ID Key Events– Rates of Fire– SBF Math

• Layout• Execution

– Occupation– Control– Displacement

Questions

“War is the remedy our enemies have chosen,

and I say let them have all they want.”

-Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman