The roles of the Field Artillery include Close Support and Attack in Depth and which additional function?

• A. Counter fires
• B. Suppression
• C. Reconnaissance
• D. Fire Control

Answer: (A)

The three main roles that Field Artillery provides on the battlefield include Close Support, Attack in Depth, and counter fires. Counter fires means systematically locating, engaging, and destroying or suppressing enemy artillery and rocket/mortar fires so they can’t threaten friendly forces. This protects maneuver and helps maintain the initiative by denying the enemy the advantage of their fires. It requires good target acquisition, coordination with observers and sensors, and the ability to quickly fire on the enemy’s firing positions. Other options like suppression, reconnaissance, or fire control describe important aspects of artillery work, but they aren’t the formal third role alongside Close Support and Attack in Depth.