Force Structure Matters: U.S. Field Artillery (FA) in Operational Art - Fires Capability Requirements, Operational Art and ULO, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Anaconda, Division Artillery (DIVARTY)

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. In 2014, the US Forces Command (FORSCOM) implemented the activation of the division artillery (DIVARTY) and field artillery (FA) brigade force structure. The purpose for the implementation was to establish command relationships to exemplify mission command that produced trained and ready FA units capable of providing synchronized strategic, operational, and tactical level effects in support of combined arms maneuver and wide area security. This monograph analyzes the effectiveness of the US Field Artillery force structure and the ability to meet the required capabilities that enable commanders to exercise operational art.

First, the monograph evaluates the fires capability requirements outlined in the US Army capstone concepts. The monograph assesses the effectiveness of the surface-to-surface indirect fire systems available in achieving the capability requirements and identifies any shortfalls. Then the monograph assesses how the field artillery enables operational art and Unified Land Operations (ULO) through the evaluation of specific elements of operational art and tenets of ULO. The monograph then analyzes two case studies, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Anaconda. Operation Desert Storm was a demonstration of the successful employment of artillery and how the artillery enables operational art. Conversely, Operation Anaconda involved no US artillery although the adversary possessed indirect fire capabilities. The use of the case studies highlight the utility of the artillery in operational art while also addressing limitations and planning considerations.

The monograph concludes with an analysis of the US Field Artillery force structure in achieving the fires capability requirements. The change in the FA force structure is a step in the right direction for re-establishing the essential conduit for the integration and synchronization of fires assets, but the DIVARTYs lack the organic artillery systems necessary to provide operational fires and effectively shape the operational environment for the division. The monograph recommends providing an organic rocket FA battery to each DIVARTY and establishing composite FA battalions throughout the US Army. The recommendations enhance a commander's ability to exercise operational art, provide greater flexibility in the employment of fires, and increase the firepower of the unit.