What is the purpose of fire support in amphibious operations?

The purpose of fire support in amphibious operations is primarily to neutralize enemy defenses during the landing. This involves the use of various types of weapons systems and tactics to suppress, destroy, or disrupt enemy positions and capabilities before and during the landing phase. By doing so, fire support enhances the safety and effectiveness of the landing forces, enabling them to secure a foothold on the shore and facilitating the subsequent phases of the operation.

Neutralizing enemy defenses is crucial because it reduces the risk of loss to friendly forces as they come ashore, allowing them to establish their presence and conduct operations with greater effectiveness. Fire support can involve naval gunfire, aerial bombardment, and artillery, all coordinated to achieve the desired end state of diminishing or incapacitating enemy resistance at the critical moment of the landing.

The other options do not align with the primary objectives of fire support in an amphibious context. While financial resources, communication lines, and recruiting additional forces may be relevant to overall operation planning and logistics, they do not pertain directly to the immediate tactical role that fire support plays in enhancing the operational success of amphibious landings.