systems and organizations in accordance with mission, enemy, terrain, troops and available (METT-T) that
provides the commander the needed flexibility and capability to rapidly shift fires and to reposition firing units
quickly for survivability while still providing required fire support. Fire support is a division total effort which
relies on the decisions of the division commander and his staff. To achieve synchronization, the fire support
system's command and control allows for rapid transmission of information and data to interface with all fire
support systems including those of other services (FM 71-100, Division Operations).
1. Division Artillery (DIVARTY) Mission.
a. The division's primary organic indirect support is the DIVARTY. The firepower of the DIVARTY is
augmented by close air support, attack helicopters, mortars, artillery resources of higher headquarters (HQ), and,
when feasible, naval gunfire.
b. The DIVARTY has the dual mission of integrating all fire support available to the division as well as
providing field artillery (FA) fires for close support, interdiction, and counterfire support to the division. The
primary function of fire support units is to provide continuous and timely support to combat units by locating,
identifying, and neutralizing or destroying those targets most likely to impede the successful accomplishment of
the division's mission.
c. Close support fires engage enemy troops, weapons, or positions that are threatening or can threaten the
force in either the attack or the defense. They allow the commander to rapidly multiply combat power effects and
shift fires quickly about the battlefield. The division commander weights close support of his maneuver force by
assigning tactical missions to the FA. The missions are direct support (DS), reinforcing (R), general support
reinforcing (GSR), and general support (GS). He determines priorities for air support sorties to ensure resources
for the most critical areas. These missions or priorities make fire support immediately responsive to the brigade
and battalion commanders within the authorized level of fire support. Close support fires can provide a more
favorable combat ratio. High explosive with fuse variable time and dual-purpose improved conventional
munitions cause Threat tanks to button up and slow down. Smoke obscures the enemy's vision. Thus, Threat
observation, flexibility, and command and control are reduced. Also, portions of the Threat force are isolated,
which allows concentration of our direct fires on isolated targets. Close support expands battlefield depth, erodes
enemy forces, and inflicts damage well beyond direct fire ranges.
d. Counterfire is suppressing, neutralizing, or destroying Threat indirect fire systems capable of firing on
friendly forces. Threat systems can be attacked by fire or electronic means. The attack of Threat command,
control, and communications (C3) is called C3 countermeasures (C3CM). Targets include mortar, cannons,
missiles, and rocket systems. The target can be the actual weapon, the communications, the command and control
elements, the observers or target acquisition elements, and the support systems. Targets also
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