ATP-3-09-30 Observed Fires Download
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28 September 2017 ATP 3-09.30 2-1 Chapter 2 Employing Fire Support This chapter describes the responsibilities of members of the fire support team (FIST), forward observer (FO) team, and options for employing observers and guidance for selecting and occupying an observation post. FIRE SUPPORT TEAM The battalion fire support platoons are found in the headquarters battery of each brigade combat team field artillery battalion and normally include FISTs with joint fires observers. The fire support platoons have a habitual support relationship with a specific maneuver battalion or cavalry squadron: A fire support team is a field artillery team organic to each maneuver battalion and selected units to plan and coordinate all available company supporting fires, including mortars, field artillery, naval surface fire support, army attack aviation, and close air support integration (ADRP 3-09). FISTs employed at company or troop level provide maneuver companies and cavalry troops with fire support coordination, target location, input for terminal attack control, and assessment capabilities. A forward observer is an observer operating with front line troops trained to adjust ground or naval gunfire and pass back battlefield information. Also called FO. (JP 3-09). Platoon forward observers are equipped with target acquisition devices that assist in accurately locating targets and the communications equipment needed to call for fire and conduct terminal guidance operations (also called TGO). A FO is the primary fire support observer in the company or troop and is frequently collocated with the platoon leader. They provide target refinement, nominate targets to the company fire plan (limited fire planning), advise the platoon leader on all indirect fire support matters; prepare, maintain, and use situation maps, designate targets for precision-guided munitions, report combat information, execute planned fires, and request or adjust fires for their supported platoons. Additionally, the FIST works with the maneuver commander via ethical, effective and efficient planning and execution that takes into account proper munitions employment and Fire Support Coordination Measures during targeting and fire support planning. The FIST exercises he judicious use of lethal force balanced with restraint, tempered by professional judgement. Although the equipment in each FIST varies depending on the type of force supported, each FIST has a four Soldier team with the personnel shown in table 2-1. A two Soldier FO team is normally authorized for each Stryker and infantry platoon. FO teams are shown in table 2-2 on page 2-2. Table 2-1. Fire Support Team Headquarters Title Rank Quantity Fire Support Officer First Lieutenant 1 Fire Support Sergeant Staff Sergeant 1 Fire Support Specialist Specialist 1 Radio Telephone Operator Private 1