Dismounted Reconnaissance Troop - Army Electronic Publications ...

Chapter 7
Fires battalion assigned fire direction net (as necessary).
Troop command net (when the FSO is not physically located with the troop commander).
Troop fires net.
Through the pocket-sized forward entry device. The pocket-size forward entry device is a small
hand-held digital call for fire device used by the FOs to call for fire. The device is integrated
with the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System.
Squadron fires net (for example, when the FSO is physically located with the commander and
calls for FS from assets other than FA observers).
Additional nets as necessary.
PLANNING AND COORDINATION
7-11. To provide the DRT commander with the necessary support, the FIST conducts planning specific to
the type of operation that the troop is conducting. Fire support planning and coordination begin on receipt
of a mission and continue throughout planning and execution. (For additional details of this process,
including the roles of the commander and FSO, refer to the discussion of fires planning and coordination
later in this chapter.)
COMBAT OBSERVATION AND LASING TEAM
7-12. A COLT is a FIST controlled at the brigade level that is capable of target acquisition day and night
and has both laser range finding and laser designating capabilities.
7-13. The DRT may request indirect fire through the COLT, which has a secondary mission of processing
these requests. The COLT may monitor the reconnaissance platoon net and handle the fire request and
subsequent adjustments in the same manner as a FIST. The COLT can enter the information gained through
its primary mission, laser target location, or laser target designation for guided munitions and CAS, directly
into the fire control system. When pushed forward with the DRT, the COLT may collocate with one of the
platoon OPs for local security and protection. Leaders often link a COLT’s observation of a TAI with a
scout team’s coverage of an NAI. This technique allows the scout team to act as a trigger, with the COLT
executing and adjusting fires.
INDIRECT FIRE ASSETS AND CAPABILITIES
7-14. Indirect fire systems available to the DRT include organic mortars and the brigade fires battalion.
Other systems that may be available include mortar systems found in the mounted troops, rifle battalions,
and cannon or rocket/missile systems from a fires brigade.
MORTAR EMPLOYMENT
7-15. The troop mortar section provides organic indirect FS that is extremely responsive to the troop’s
tactical needs. The section can place a heavy volume of accurate, sustained indirect fires that can disrupt
threat fires and movement, allowing the troop to maneuver to positions of advantage. Mortars are effective
in covering obstacles or dead space, engaging dismounted threats, marking targets for air attack, or
providing screening smoke. They are ideal weapons for attacking targets on reverse slopes, in narrow
ravines, in built-up areas, and in other areas that are difficult to strike with low-angle fires. The DRT has a
section of two 60-mm mortars and a fire direction center.
7-16. The troop commander uses available indirect fires from organic mortars to:
Cover scouts during the conduct of their mission.
Suppress the enemy while scouts are maneuvering to develop the situation or disengage.
Screen enemy observation of scouts.
Cover a likely enemy avenue of approach.
Support the scouts on a screen line.
7-4 ATTP 3-20.97 16 November 2010