text: Chapter 3
  Fire Support and the Operations Process
  This chapter further discusses FS in the Operations Process in detail. Section 1 further
  explains the four FS functions. Section II describes key FS processes and procedures
  (as an element of C2) and the principles of FS planning and coordination. Section III
  describes FS preparation, primarily rehearsals. Section IV discusses the principles of
  FS execution (AWIFM-N). Section V discusses operational and combat assessment as
  they relate to FS.
  “The artillery was my strongest tool. I repeatedly said it was more a matter of the infantry
  supporting the artillery than the artillery supporting the infantry…. I wish I knew the
  countless times that positions were taken or held due solely to TOT’s ….”
  –Major General R.O. Barton, US 4th Infantry Division World War II
  SECTION I – FIRE SUPPORT FUNCTIONS
  3-1. The four functions of FS are the basic requirements the FS system must fulfill to destroy, neutralize,
  or suppress the enemy. The basic FS functions describe what FS must do and are used as screening criteria
  during FS planning, rehearsals, and assessment of the overall conduct of the FS system.
  SUPPORT FORCES IN CONTACT
  3-2. The commander must provide responsive FS that ensures freedom of maneuver to forces engaged with
  the enemy in the close, deep, and rear areas. A force is always in some form of contact. FM 3-90 describes
  the nine forms of contact as: visual; direct; indirect; non-hostile; obstacles; aircraft; CBRN; electromagnetic,
  and influence. Units may experience all forms of contact simultaneously. Commanders should assume that
  friendly forces are always in contact in one or more domains, both during competition and conflict. Peer
  adversaries or enemies have both the cyberspace and space enabled capabilities to observe friendly forces
  routinely.
  3-3. Throughout large-scale combat operations, FS must:
  * Provide deep fires to disrupt, delay, and destroy uncommitted enemy forces before they can
  engage friendly forces. This includes enemy A2/AD, CPs, airfields, air defense artillery (ADA),
  missiles, bridges and logistical infrastructure.
  * Plan counterfire to destroy, neutralize, or suppress the enemy's indirect fire weapon systems. It
  Includes counterbattery and countermortar fire.
  * Provide close supporting fires. Close support is action of the supporting force against targets or
  objectives that are sufficiently near the supported force as to require detailed integration or
  coordination of the supporting action with fire, movement, or other actions of the supported force
  (JP 3-31). These fires are used to engage enemy troops, weapons, or positions that are threatening
  or can threaten the force in either the offense or defense. They allow the commander to multiply
  combat power effects. Close support expands the battlefield depth, erodes enemy forces, and
  inflicts damage well beyond direct fire ranges.
  * Provide fires to suppress known enemy air defense weapons immediately before and during flight
  by friendly aircraft within the AO.
  * Provide fires in support of rear area operations.