FM-3-09 Fire Support and Field Artillery Operations Download
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The Fire Support System 30 April 2020 FM 3-09 2-5 FORWARD OBSERVER 2-15. The FO is the fire support representative for the maneuver platoon. The FO's primary duty is to accurately locate targets, then call for, and adjust FS. The forward observer is an observer operating with front line troops and trained to adjust ground or naval gunfire and pass back battlefield information (JP 3- 09). The FO must fully understand their responsibility within the observation plan and provide refinement or submit key targets for inclusion in the company fire plan. A fire plan is a tactical plan for using the weapons of a unit or formation so that their fire will be coordinated. For more information on FO duties see ATP 3-09.30. JOINT FIRES OBSERVER 2-16. A joint fires observer (JFO) is a certified and qualified Service member who requests, controls, and adjusts, surface-to-surface fires; provides targeting information in support of CAS; and performs terminal guidance operations (JP 3-09.3). JFOs cannot perform terminal attack control of CAS missions and do not replace a qualified joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) or forward air controller (airborne) (FAC [A]). Terminal guidance operations are those actions that provide electronic, mechanical, voice or visual communications that provide approaching aircraft and/or weapons, additional information regarding a specific target location (JP 3-09). OTHER JOINT AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES PERSONNEL AND DUTIES 2-17. FS is inherently joint and executed across all domains. As such, all Army FS personnel routinely interface with multiple joint FS and SOF personnel at every echelon of command. The following are key personnel that Army FS personnel routinely work with during joint operations. For greater detail, refer to JP 3-09 and JP 3-30: Director, AOC: Responsible to the joint force air component commander (JFACC) for integrating the planning, coordinating, allocating, tasking, executing, and assessing tasks for all joint air operations. Air liaison officer: The senior tactical air control party member attached to a ground unit who functions as the primary advisor to the ground commander on air power (JP 3-09.3). Naval Ground Liaison Officer, NGLO: acts as the liaison for a supporting naval task force. The NGLO coordinates all naval gunfire that is supporting the ground force commander or that may affect the operations of the ground force commander. The NGLO advises the ground force commander and FSCOORD on all matters pertaining to naval gunfire employment. J-2T (Targeting): The deputy director for targets for a joint staff. United States Air Force (USAF) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) director: Provides the JFACC with predictive and actionable intelligence, targeting support, and collection management expertise to support the air tasking cycle. Forward air controller (airborne): A specifically trained and qualified aviation officer, normally an airborne extension of the tactical air control party, who exercises control from the air of aircraft engaged in close air support of ground troops (JP 3-09.3). Joint terminal attack controller: A qualified (certified) Service member who, from a forward position, directs the action of combat aircraft engaged in close air support and other offensive air operations (JP 3-09.3). SOF JTAC: Although all SOF operators are capable of employing surface fires and aviation fires from AC-130 aircraft, current and qualified SOF JTACs are recognized across all components of US Special Operations Command as the primary fires employment capability at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels. These personnel are specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. SOF JTACs are carefully selected to conduct special operations using modified equipment and trained in irregular warfare activities to achieve strategic and operational objectives in austere environments worldwide. SOF also employ SOF aviators as forward air controller, airborne [FAC (A)]. Shore Fire Control Party: The supporting United States Marine Corps (USMC) artillery BNs provide shore fire control party's to supported units. The shore fire control party consists of a naval