Which of the following is NOT a basic fire support task?

• A. Support forces in contact
• B. Synchronize fire support
• C. Sustain fire support operations
• D. Defend against air attack

Answer: (D)

Fires are organized to directly support ground maneuver and protect the force through timely, coordinated effects on targets that influence the enemy’s ability to fight. The basic fire support tasks describe how those fires are integrated and sustained to assist troops in contact and keep the operation moving. Defend against air attack falls outside that ground-fire support scope; it is an air defense function focused on preventing enemy aircraft from threatening the force, using air defense assets rather than ground-based fires coordinated for close support. The other options describe how fire support is synchronized, delivered, and kept active to support ground forces, which is why they fit as basic fire support tasks.