TC-3-09-8 Fire Support and Field Artillery Certification Download
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Introduction 22 July 2020 TC 3-09.8 C1 1-11 navigation, and/or timing. An FA Battalion’s Certification and Qualification program must include the performance of technical FA tasks in various conditions to best prepare for large-scale combat operations. To do so, units should follow the FA Home Station Training Strategy’s guidance. To follow this guidance, a unit’s program should perform its tasks using its full operational capability, digital systems in a degraded capacity, and with fully degraded backup methods. 1-21. In large-scale combat operations, FA units will experience conditions that impact the ability to maintain the 5 requirements for accurate predicted fire which can be caused by the enemy or the environment. FA units maintain the capability to provide fire support in support of the maneuver commander. To do this, we must train across the spectrum of impacts to our communications, computational, target location, and delivery means. The following definitions define the degraded, disrupted, or denied operational environment: Denied conditions; access to Global Position System and digital communications via space capabilities are not available. Disrupted conditions; access to Global Position System and digital communications via space capabilities are intermittent and are not available consistently. Degraded conditions; equipment and/or systems are working at a reduced effectiveness and alternative means must be utilized to maintain FA capabilities. 1-22. A degraded environment dictates the use of manual tools, near precision ammunition and substituted procedures when equipment is not functioning properly. PRECISION AND AREA FIRES REQUIREMENTS 1-23. The ability of FA formations to deliver both precise and area fires utilizing both digital and manual means is the key to success of the FA during large-scale combat operations. The goal of the Field Artillery is to achieve first round fire for effect. The standard target location error for precision capabilities is < 6 meters. The target location error for conducting area fire missions < 50 meters. Training, certifying and qualifying for both precision and area fire methods is necessary to ensure FA units can fully support large- scale combat operations. For example, to fully evaluate precision capabilities of the FA System, Fire Support Element ensure the use of precision tools and identifies the use of a precision ammunition fired by the howitzer section. Area fires are accomplished when the Fire Supporter utilizes their best available means of target location for target identification without requiring a precision ammunition. PROGRESSION OF COMPLEXITY 1-24. A unit’s FA certification and qualification plan will progressively increase in complexity as the unit successfully completes each level in the strategy. The complexity increases in the types of munitions fired, the echelon and integration of each component of the FA System, and the addition of complexity and range of tasks in each table. The Field Artillery Progression of Complexity is simplistically shown in green text boxes in the figure 1-5 on page 1-12.