Which term describes providing fire support from a position to assist assault or movement?

• A. Occupy
• B. Suppress
• C. Support by Fire
• D. Turn (obstacle effect)

Answer: (C)

Providing fire support from a fixed position to help an assault or movement is called support by fire. In this role, a unit places fires from a prepared location to keep the enemy’s heads down, disrupt their ability to return fire, and create a window for friendly forces to advance or reposition. It’s about using fires from a specific spot to enable maneuver, rather than simply occupying a position, suppressing enemy targets, or manipulating obstacles. For example, a squad might post behind a wall and lay down covering fire while the assault element moves up to the next cover. That covering, movement-aimed fire is the essence of support by fire.