ATP-3-09-30 Observed Fires Download

Employing Fire Support 28 September 2017 ATP 3-09.30 2-9 VEHICLE EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS The manner in which a maneuver commander organizes and uses the FIST assets will vary depending on the mission variables. The company or troop FSO advises the maneuver commander as to the means of employment that will best allow the FIST to accomplish its tasks. The three options are: Option 1 –Control Position the FSO in the fire support vehicle to support the scheme of maneuver and to control indirect fires while remaining near the commander. Locate the fire support vehicle where the FSO can effectively observe and control execution of the fire support plan. This option allows the FSO to conduct required fire support coordination and maintain contact with the commander's vehicle for face to face coordination when needed. The fire support vehicle should not be immediately next to the commander's vehicle; rather, it should be within visual range. Option 2 – Observation Position the fire support vehicle to support the company or troop on terrain to maximize the use of the laser designator and rangefinder. The FSO rides in the commander’s vehicle. This option allows the FSO to maintain close coordination with the commander. However, the FSO's ability to observe fires and control the execution of the fire support plan is limited. Option 3 – Independent Observer This option maximizes assets available to the battalion or brigade commander and best allows the maneuver commander to weight the main effort. This may degrade fire support to the supported unit by taking away the fire support vehicle and half of the fire support communications capability. JOINT FIRES OBSERVER MANNING Joint fires observers (JFOs) are typically found on fire support teams, but may also be trained to fill positions in scout platoons, teams, or others as identified by commanders. JFO’s are positioned and employed in the same manner as forward observers and they are normally positioned at the lower tactical levels (for example, company, or platoon). During operational planning, commanders must evaluate options for integration of joint fires, provide clear guidance on the intent for fires and effects, and provide a risk assessment determination identifying guidance for types of CAS terminal attack control. Units that have a reasonable expectation to conduct CAS have a responsibility to employ and position qualified terminal attack controllers, either JTAC or FAC (A), in that role. JFOs are supported by assets available from the company or troop, battalion or squadron. JFOs are located at the platoon level. They normally report to the company fire support officer or fire support noncommissioned officer. The JFO may be collocated with the platoon leader, or with the scouts. The JFOs will monitor the company or troop fires net and possibly the battalion or squadron fires net, depending on unit standard operating procedures. JOINT TRAINING Many air support operations squadrons provide high quality joint fires integration familiarization and training programs in the home station environment. i.e. Joint Theater Air Ground Simulation System (JTAGSS), the Air Support Operations Center (ASOC) trainer, and the Joint Terminal Control Training and Rehearsal System (JTC TRS) Dome, known as the “JTAC Dome” for training JATCs. Joint training between Division Fires Cells and the ASOC, as well, JTACs and JFOs is encouraged whenever possible. Together they are able to train and employ as an effective joint tactical team for the entire spectrum of conflict. To maximize the effectiveness of joint fires supporting maneuver, the JFO must be employed deliberately through proper planning, preparation, and execution. Effective joint fire support depends on planning for supporting maneuver forces in contact, supporting the maneuver concept of operations , and synchronizing the various elements of joint fire support operations (for example, observation, battlefield intelligence, air operations, surface and naval fires). Planning must include JFO equipment capabilities to