Making the transition from FA battalion staff to maneuver task force staff.

Field Artillery (FA) battalions throughout the Army have performed maneuver task force (TF) missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have reorganized their batteries and platoons and retrained their Redlegs to accomplish tasks normally associated with the infantry. Brigade combat teams (BCTs) also have attached traditional maneuver units to FA battalions to increase their combat power, units such as infantry, armor and engineer platoons or companies. FA battalions acting as maneuver TFs have defeated insurgencies in their areas of operation (AOs) and routinely have conducted raids, cordon and searches, combat patrols and security missions. Redlegs also have trained Iraqi Army and Afghan National Army troops as well as police and other security forces.

Strong NCO leadership, attention to detail and rigorous adherence to standards--traits historically associated with Field Artillerymen--have paid huge dividends in the FA transition to maneuver at the battery and platoon levels. Young, aggressive Soldiers teamed with assertive, steady NCOs and junior officers have shown that Field Artillerymen thrive in the role of motorized infantrymen. To enable FA batteries and platoons to make the move to motorized infantry, the FA battalion staff must make an important transition. It must reorganize and train as a maneuver TF staff to go from providing fires to a BCT to defeating insurgents in a TF AO. Many FA battalions have achieved this transition. However, upon redeployment, these FA battalion staffs once again will focus on their fire support mission yet might have to deploy again as a maneuver TF within a year. Given troop-to-task deficiencies and the constrained use of artillery in a counterinsurgency fight, FA battalions serving as maneuver TFs will continue to be viable options for BCT commanders.

Manning and equipment authorizations under traditional FA modified tables of organization and equipment (MTOEs) have challenged FA battalions serving as maneuver TFs, and the new MTOEs for fires battalions in the heavy, infantry and Stryker BCTs do not resource their fighting as maneuver TFs.

This article discusses how to reorganize an FA battalion staff to transition to a maneuver TF. It outlines what an FA staff needs in that process, such as specific personnel and equipment.

Maneuver TF Staff. When operating as a motorized infantry TF in a stability and reconstruction operations (S & RO) environment, an FA battalion's actions differ from the traditional direct support (DS) FA battalion's actions while operating in a mid- to high-intensity conflict. In this conflict, the battalion acts as a brigade support unit. It conducts parallel planning with the brigade staff, derives essential FA tasks (EFATs) from brigade essential fire support tasks (EFSTs) and conducts the "artillerized" version of the military decision-making process (MDMP). This results in the FA support plan (FASP). The FA battalion commander, acting as the brigade's fire support coordinator (FSCOORD), plays a major role in brigade planning and advises the brigade commander on fire support.

As an FA battalion transitions to the maneuver TF role, it must adjust its planning process. The battalion commander becomes a tactical commander responsible for his AO. The battalion must conduct a thorough intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) of its AO, conduct an independent MDMP and produce TF operations orders (OPORDs). As operations continue in a lengthy deployment, the battalion staff must develop its own intelligence and conduct lethal and nonlethal targeting to drive TF operations.

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The maneuver TF must plan and coordinate information operations (IO), lethal fire support and civil-military projects in the full spectrum of operations. New staff positions must be created, current staff positions strengthened and traditional roles altered to enable successful TF operations in a counterinsurgency fight. (See Figure 1.)

Battalion Executive Officer (XO). The FA battalion XO's role is the first to change. As a maneuver TF XO, he must embrace the roles of the second-in-command, chief of staff, leader of the MDMP, director of the targeting process and the tactical operations center (TOC) officer-in-charge (OIC). These critical duties go beyond the FA battalion XO's traditional role as the battalion's logistics and maintenance manager. The XO must know and direct the MDMP and be familiar with the targeting process and heavily involved in battalion operations.

While the XO does not supplant the S3 in his duties to direct units in the AO, he must be the TOCOIC to manage the battalion's resources properly and coordinate with higher headquarters. This contrasts with the FA battalion XO's image of staying in the administrative logistics operations center (ALOC) while the S3 runs the battle from the TOC. In S & ROs' steady state, the logistical burden of Class III and V is not as demanding as in a high-intensity conflict. The S4 can do many of the logistical duties that once required the XO's direct action.

Intel Section. The FA battalion must have a robust S2 section with ample personnel and military intelligence-(MI)-trained officers. Intelligence drives operations in a counterinsurgency, and the S2 section is the key to the success of the TF's reliance on human intelligence.

Most FA battalion MTOEs have no Fort Huachuca-trained MI officers in the S2 section and only two intelligence analysts. This is in stark contrast to infantry battalions that often have one MI captain as the S2, one MI lieutenant as the tactical intelligence officer, one sergeant first class (SFC) intelligence sergeant, and one sergeant and four enlisted intelligence analysts.

Again and again, FA officers have proven themselves as S2s, focused on the enemy's counterfire capabilities and their positioning of Firefinder radars. However, MI officers are best suited and trained for the counterinsurgency fight, given the demands of bottom-up intelligence analysis. The TF S2 section has an intense workload.

Because Soldiers on patrol usually unearth the best intelligence, the S2 must establish systems to ensure that priority intelligence requirements (PIR) are disseminated, tracked, analyzed and refined. The S2 must ensure that patrols receive thorough patrol pre-briefings and debriefings and that the information Soldiers provide after patrols is analyzed.

The S2 section must ensure that targeting products always are available, relevant and timely. It must glean intelligence from higher headquarters, submit reports and process detainees and evidence. The S2 requests and plans intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It also screens and manages interpreters.

Manned in accordance with the FA battalion MTOE, the S2 cannot accomplish these tasks while simultaneously maintaining a 24-hour presence in the TOC.

In a best-case scenario, the FA maneuver task force S2 section would have the personnel listed in Figure 2. This manning would allow the section to plan, analyze, update reports, process detainees and evidence, and conduct 24-hour operations with a senior lieutenant or master sergeant (MSG) in charge while the S2 is in meetings or conducting operations. This manning also promotes continuity in the S2 section when personnel are on environmental leave from theater.

In reality, getting all of the additional MI personnel is not likely. The FA battalion, at least, should provide the S2 an above-average senior lieutenant as the tactical intelligence officer, one smart 13 Series staff sergeant (SSG) and three talented 13 Series Soldiers.

TF S3. The FA battalion S3 must become an expert in conducting combined arms operations; operating units as maneuver; and integrating infantry, armor, aviation and engineers into TF operations, often in urban or complex terrain. He must plan and synchronize operations with Special Operations Forces (SOF) in the AO. He also must be aware of other elements operating in the TF AO, such as military police, local police, Iraqi or Afghan Army forces, local security forces and civilian contractors.

Based on unpredictable intelligence, the S3 must plan operations quickly and accomplish those missions the same as other maneuver TFs but without the same assets, such as snipers, scouts and mortars. (See Figure 3 listing the personnel required for the S3 section of a maneuver task force.)

The operations section must be manned and organized so it can plan for future operations, fight the current operation in the TOC and maintain 24-hour operations simultaneously. FA Battalion MTOEs do not resource these requirements. The S3 must have a plans officer, an operations officer and many strong NCOs to run daily operations. Current MTOEs authorize FA battalions one FA captain operations officer, one MSG operations NCO, one SFC master gunner/operations NCO, one chemical officer and a nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) NCO.

The FA battalion must assign a captain to serve as the plans officer. This officer could come from within, or the TF could request an infantry captain from the BCT headquarters. An infantry captain would provide experience as an infantry platoon leader or company XO when planning maneuver operations.

The TF also must assign more senior NCOs to help the operations sergeant work from the TOC and manage troop-to-task requirements. At a minimum, another SFC and two SSGs are needed to supervise radio-telephone operators (RTOs), track and monitor patrols in the AO, ensure that actions and reports are logged, submit required reports and manage taskings.

Because of fewer fire missions, the fire direction center (FDC) can provide NCOs for leadership in the TOC and Soldiers for RTO duties. The battalion's survey and meteorological (Met) section also can provide NCOs and Soldiers for these duties.

TF Engineer. He helps the staff plan and execute operations that require increased force protection, such as securing polling sites during elections and establishing new forward operating bases (FOBs). He must be an experienced captain, senior lieutenant or NCO who has expertise in construction, barrier and obstacle emplacement and quality control. He also helps the S5 manage and inspect civil construction projects.

The TF should request an engineer from the BCT headquarters or directly from the nearest engineer unit.

TF Fire Support Element (FSE). The TF must establish a battalion FSE to coordinate lethal and nonlethal fires and effects. The battalion fire direction officer (FDO) is a logical choice to be the fire support officer (FSO). He has the equipment and radios to enable planning and coordination. The FDO/FSO implements the TF's IO campaign, takes charge of consequence management for the TF and is an integral part of the TF's targeting process.

If not being used for specific duties in the TOC, the FDC personnel provide a cohesive FSE team led by senior NCOs who are familiar with delivering cannon fires, battle tracking and communications. If possible, assigning a 13F SFC to the FSE greatly enhances the FSE's experience and knowledge of all fire support systems. (See Figure 4 on Page 34.)

S5 Section. The battalion must establish an S5 section for civil-military operations (CMO). The S5 is potentially the most influential staff member in the TF AO. He must be an aggressive, experienced captain with troop-leading experience at the battery or platoon level, and he must have an experienced senior NCO as his assistant.

Often, the TF will have a civil affairs team-Alpha (CAT-A) attached during operations. The S5 supervises the CAT-A to ensure the TF commander's intent for CMO is met. He works in conjunction with the CAT-A to develop civil projects, coordinate funds and interact with local political and religious leaders and often acts as the TF representative.

Due to his daily interaction in the AO, the S5 also must have dedicated combat power for his patrols to ensure that he is not "hitching rides" with other patrols that have their own priorities.

The TF must assign public affairs officer (PAO) duties to inform both the people in the TF's AO and the public about TF activities, including family members at home station. Units traditionally assign PAO duties to the S1; however, for public affairs in the TF's AO, the S5 is a better choice. The S5 is more familiar with the TF AO, including civil projects and local leaders, and has connections with the local media.

The S5 can develop relationships with the local media and better organize media events around civil projects. With his own patrol, the S5 can respond to media events in the TF AO and escort the international media. The S1, however, should provide news to the families back home in the form of family readiness group newsletters and postings to the TF's website.

Other Staff Sections. The S1, S4 and S6 do not necessarily change their organization or duties to transition from FA operations to maneuver operations, but each must change its focus. The S4 must acquire equipment not normally authorized for FA units but essential for maneuver operations. This equipment includes sniper rifles, shotguns, weapons optics, night-vision devices, breaching tools and other infantry equipment. The S6 must focus on dismounted radio systems for repairs and parts as well as improving FM communications in urban terrain.

Providing they have capable NCOs in their sections, the S1, S4 and S6 can help the TOC with duties as night battle captain. By rotating the night battle captain weekly, the TOC conserves manpower by not having one officer dedicated solely to night duties and has an experienced staff officer who can provide TOC leadership if the XO or S3 is not available.

With the change to modularity, most FA battalions now have an improved medical capability with more personnel and evacuation vehicles. The addition of a medical platoon leader is included in these improvements.

The medical platoon leader's duties include medical planning for the task force. He must be incorporated in all of the task force's planning to include the MDMP and targeting process. He provides recommendations for the task force's evacuation plan, using external and internal assets, and coordinates for the use of the external assets. The medical platoon leader also recommends the positioning of medical personnel and ambulances throughout the task force AO and provides feedback on the support-ability of courses of action (COAs) from the medical coverage standpoint.

Integrating the medical platoon leader into task force planning allows the physician's assistant (PA) to focus on treatment. If FA battalions do not have a medical platoon leader, the PA must be trained in the planning process and be an active participant in task force planning.

These recommendations for reorganizing the FA battalion staff for maneuver TF operations are gleaned from observing units that have successfully made this transition and from personal experience. Requirements will differ, based on specific mission and geographical assignment, but the additional staff positions and required personnel is a baseline for units' preparing to deploy as a maneuver TF. Ideally, these personnel will be available; if not, the commander's priorities will drive the decisions for manning.

Maneuver TF Operations. The FA battalion staff must become familiar with its maneuver TF staff duties through home-station training and daily operations before deployment. All staff members should participate regularly in MDMP exercises emphasizing maneuver TF operations in S & RO. This training must include those staffers in unauthorized duty positions, such as FDO/FSO and S5.

In Iraq and Afghanistan, TFs are using the decide, detect, deliver and assess ([D.sup.3]A) targeting methodology to plan and synchronize weekly operations. The staff should establish its targeting meeting structure for lethal and nonlethal operations while at home station and use that meeting to synchronize garrison and field training weekly with all staff members. As much as possible, the S3, S2 and other staff sections should run daily garrison operations just as they would from a TOC during deployment.

All staff members must become familiar with infantry operations by studying the applicable field manuals (FMs) and observing infantry training. The XO and S3 should visit infantry TOCs and discuss staff procedures, TOC structure, TOC battle drills and standing operating procedures (SOPs) with their infantry counterparts.

In Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF), FA battalions have demonstrated that they can perform as maneuver TFs very effectively. The FA battalion staff's familiarity with detailed systems and the [D.sup.3]A targeting process gives it an advantage over the traditional maneuver TF in conducting S & RO.

FA battalions must accept that they will be called upon to act as maneuver TFs in Iraq, Afghanistan and future conflicts in the Global War on Terrorism, even while conducting fire support missions. They must be able to deliver not only timely, accurate and devastating fires, but also prepare their staffs and units to conduct successful maneuver TF operations.

Major Jeffrey T. O'Neal is a Fire Support Observer/Trainer with the Battle Command Training Program (BCTP) Operations Group C at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In his previous assignment, he was a Brigade Fire Support Officer (FSO); Battalion S3 and Executive Officer (XO) with 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery (2-15 FA), in the 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York. While serving as S3 for 2-15 FA, he deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) I (March-October 2003) with the battalion headquarters attached to the 173d Airborne Brigade in northern Iraq. He then served as the XO of 2-15 FA that operated as a maneuver task force in Baghdad during OIF II (June 2004 to June 2005). He also was a Senior Battery and Senior Battalion Fire Support Observer/Controller at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Fort Polk, Louisiana, and a Battery Commander and Battalion FSO in 1-320 FA, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

By Major Jeffrey T. O'Neal

Duty Position    MOS    Rank  Quantity  Remarks

S2               35D00  CPT   1         MI officer is unauthorized.
Tactical Intel   35D00  1LT   1         Unauthorized. FA officer fills
Officer*                                it, if an MI officer is
                                        unavailable.
Intel Sergeant   13Z50  MSG   1
Intel Sergeant*  96B30  SSG   1         Unauthorized. FA NCO fills it if
                                        a 96B30 is unavailable.
Intel Analyst    96B20  SGT   1
Intel Analyst    96B10  SPC   4*        Only 1 x 96B10 is authorized.
                                        3 x FA series if additional
                                        96B10s are unavailable.

*Unauthorized in most FA battalion MTOEs.
Military Occupational Speciality (MOS) Designations
13Z = Field Artillery E8
35D = Military Intelligence (MI) Officer
96B = Intelligence Analyst

Figure 2: S2 Section for Maneuver TF Operations

Duty Position       MOS    Rank  Quantity  Remarks

S3                  13A00  MAJ   1
Ops Officer         13A00  CPT   1
Plans Officer*      11A00  CPT   1         Unauthorized.
Chemical Officer    74A00  1LT   1
Ops SGT             13Z50  MSG   1
Ops SGT/Master      13B40  SFC   1
Gunner
Assistant Ops SGT*  13B40  SFC   1         Unauthorized. Can place
                                           13F/D30 in the position.
Assistant Ops SGT*  13B30  SSG   2         Unauthorized. Can place
                                           13F/D30 in the position.
Chemical NCO        74B30  SSG   1
Chief of Survey     13S30  SSG   1
FA Tactical Data    13D10  SPC/  6*        Total # unauthorized. Need 6
Systems (FATDS)            PFC             for 24-hour radio telephone
Specialist                                 operator (RTO) coverage/other
                                           duties. Can use personnel
                                           from the battalion fire
                                           direction center (FDC).

*Unauthorized in most FA battalion MTOEs.
MOS Designations
11A = Infantry Officer
13A = Field Artillery Officer
13B = Cannon Crewmember
13D = FATDS Specialist
13F = Fire Support Specialist
13S = FA Surveyor
74A = Chemical Officer
74B = Chemical NCO

Figure 3: Operations (Ops) Section for Maneuver TF Operations

Duty Position     MOS    Rank  Quantity  Remarks

TF FSO/IO         13A00  CPT   1         Battalion Fire Direction
                                         Officer (FDO)
TF Fire Support   13F40  SFC   1         A 13F40, if available.
NCO (FSNCO)*
Assistant TF      13D40  SFC   1         Chief of Fire Control SGT
FSNCO
Assistant TF      13D30  SSG   1         Fire Control SGT. Can help
FSNCO                                    Ops Section with tactical
                                         operations center (TOC) duties.
TF Fire Support   13D20  SGT   1         Fire Control SGT. Can help
SGT                                      Ops Section with tactical
                                         operations center (TOC) duties.
FATDS Specialist  13D10  SPC/  5         Can help Ops Section w/RTO or
                         PFC             driver duties.

*Not organic to the battalion FDC.

Figure 4: Battalion FDC Transition to a TF Fire Support Element (FSE)