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SECTION X

PREPARATION LESSON LEARNED: THE FSCOORD/FSO SHOULD BE WHERE HE CAN CONTRIBUTE MOST TO THE SUCCESS OF THE OPERATION

The battalion or company FSO facilitates fire support by accompanying the maneuver commander for all phases of planning. Every coordination meeting, orders briefing, or briefback the commander attends also requires the FSO's active participation. During execution, an FSO does not always have to stay beside the maneuver commander. The tactical requirement is responsiveness, not proximity.

The key consideration is not whether the TF FS0 is located directly with or adjacent to his commander, but whether he can accomplish his mission within the commanders intent from wherever he locates. The FS0's primary roles are as a planner and executor. He must be where he can communicate with his other fire supporters and effect changes in priorities, allocation of assets, and assists in the battle as directed by the maneuver commander.

If the maneuver commander assigns the FSO secondary missions as his primary or redundant shooter for a particular engagement, he should be as close to the commander as possible. If his mission is to fire a series or group of targets as part of the larger plan, he must position himself where he can observe his targets and still remain within communications distance of his commander.

Brigade TF:

The FSCOORD should be with the brigade commander while the commander is formulating his concept of operation, and he should accompany the commander to all orders briefings. He should be in the brigade TOC for critical staff planning sessions, and should participate in brigade fire support rehearsals. He should take a major part in briefings to the brigade and TF commanders.

During execution, while some factors of METT-T may demand his presence with the brigade commander, the brigade FS0 may do better remaining where the battle is controlled from. The FSCOORD may make a better contribution by stationing himself in the brigade TOC, where he has access to an adequate communications system and can stay abreast of the situation to make the best of available fire support. The brigade FS0 can keep him informed of the commander's guidance and the FSCOORD can then direct rather than recommend changes.

Table of Contents

Section IX: Never Pass up an Opportunity to Rehearse

Section XI: The Field Artillery Battalion Should Contribute to the Brigade Intelligence Effort