text: Chapter 3
  THE COUNTERFIRE IMPERATIVES
  3-28. Nested with the FS planning, coordination, and execution principles are the 10 counterfire imperatives.
  These 10 imperatives are a good tool to use in assessing and coordinating the overall counterfire fight.
  * Provide commander's intent and guidance to enable counterfire operations and scheme of fire in
  support of the commander's objectives. Counterfire planning begins during the MDMP and
  continues throughout the targeting process feeding the targeting working group, targeting decision
  board, and information collection plan. Commander's guidance (corps, division, BCT) sets the
  conditions for planning counterfire operations. The commander's guidance must be clear, concise,
  and easily understood. Whenever commander's guidance for counterfire and targeting is not
  clearly understood during the planning of an operation, fire support planners should solicit that
  guidance from the commander. Commanders must include endstate in their planning guidance for
  counterfire, to promote unity of effort and the integration, and synchronization of available FS and
  collection assets. Successful counterfire operations may require commanders to accept risk
  elsewhere while seeking to exploit opportunities.
  * Develop and execute an information collection plan that supports the targeting and counterfire
  fight. Successful counterfire operations require proactive and continuous collection and analysis
  of the enemy FS system. WLRs and collection assets must be prioritized, integrated, and
  synchronized with counterfire operations. The counterfire officer and the information collection
  manager at each echelon ensures that TA assets are properly integrated and synchronized into the
  overall collection and FS plan. The FSCOORD is responsible for positioning FS assets to respond
  to counterfire requirements. Position radars to support the observation and collection plans
  considering the enemy FS capabilities and range. Combat assessments, BDA, munition
  effectiveness assessment (MEA) and reattack criteria will drive intelligence collection
  requirements for counterfire operations.
  * Develop a permissive battlefield design using geometries and FSCMs. Using battlefield
  geometries to delineate the AO between corps and divisions is essential to effective counterfire
  operations and future planning. Permissive FSCMs allow for maximum use of destructive combat
  power to facilitate the attack of enemy indirect fire systems, while mitigating the risk to friendly
  forces. The commander adjusts battlefield geometries and FSCMs as required to keep pace with
  operations.
  * Plan and manage terrain and distribute on common graphics (logistics sites, position area for
  artillery (PAA) - primary and alternate). Ensure FA units and sensors are positioned to support
  counterfire operations at points of vulnerability such as obstacles, canalizing terrain, bridges or
  gap crossings. The counterfire HQ is responsible for logistic support and recommends positioning
  of sensors and counterfire delivery systems and ensures PAA and radar position areas are
  distributed and common graphics. Plan for primary, alternate, and tertiary PAA and radar position
  areas.
  * Plan airspace that allows for responsive counterfire (ACMs/airspace coordination
  areas/counterair). Close coordination is required to integrate air and space with counterfire
  operations. Counterfire operations in large-scale combat operations will require high volumes of
  air and space. ATACMS and guided multiple launch rocket system target engagements will
  require detailed airspace planning, coordination, and de-confliction. Unit airspace plans must be
  developed during MDMP and throughout the targeting and operational process to account for
  counterfire operations. When division-assigned airspace is delegated from the airspace control
  authority, the JAGIC is the airspace control element serving as the execution node for fires and
  airspace control.
  * Designate and resource the counterfire HQ (role/manning/location). Define the FFA HQ role
  verses counterfire HQ role in the counterfire fight. The corps or division commander can designate
  the role of the counterfire HQ to a DIVARTY, FAB, or separate FA BN. The DIVARTY can
  provide the counterfire HQ for the division if task organized with the necessary firing units,
  sensors, target production section, and TA platoon to coordinate the counterfire fight. FABs can
  serve as the FFA HQ or the counterfire HQ for a division or corps. Army National Guard FABs
  are routinely assigned to support the divisions and corps as the counterfire HQ.