Which category of mortar fire is intended for long-term effective support?

The category of mortar fire intended for long-term effective support is long-term harassment. This type of fire is designed to disrupt enemy forces continuously over an extended period, creating sustained pressure and diminishing their operational effectiveness. Harassment fire often aims to keep enemy forces off-balance, deny them the ability to regroup, and compel them to divert resources to defend against persistent artillery fire.

This approach is crucial in shaping the battlefield, especially when other forms of maneuver or support are not viable. The long-term nature of harassment means it focuses on longevity and influence rather than immediate results, making it an essential component of sustained military operations.

In contrast, immediate fire support is focused on providing rapid assistance in response to urgent threats. Fire support coordination is more about planning and synchronizing the various forms of fire support to maximize effectiveness rather than an ongoing series of fire missions. Counterfire strategies specifically target enemy artillery and indirect fire systems, which is more about neutralizing immediate threats rather than providing ongoing harassment.