The leaders' reconnaissance: company FSO recon of an objective. at the FA School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma - fire support officer - reconnaissance tasks training at the FA Officer Basic Course FAOBC

"You're dead....A forward observer (FO) just "killed" a platoon of his company while it was in the attack. The reason for this fratricide in the exercise: the FO called a planned target plotted on the company support-by-fire position, not the intended enemy bunker.

The FO's company fire support officer (FSO) easily could have prevented this if he had refined his target grids during the leaders' reconnaissance. Unfortunately, he did not realize he needed to until it was too late.

Bottom-up refinement is arguably the most important task for a company FSO. Successful clearance of fires and target engagement depend on it.

Unfortunately, only recently did the FA Officer Basic Course (FAOBC) at the FA School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, begin teaching company FSO leaders' reconnaissance tasks.

FSO Reconnoitering Tasks. When reconnoitering, an FSO performs the steps in the figure. To refine targets, he must have his "eyes on" the objective. This allows the FSO to convert six-digit map spots into more precise grid locations with elevation. A fire support team (FIST) member gets at least eight-digit precision by lasing targets with a mini eye-safe laser infrared observation set (MELIOS) and entering the range and azimuth into the range calculation function of a precision lightweight global positioning system receiver (PLOR). The FSO also finalizes his primary and secondary observation post (OP) locations during the recon.

The recon may pass by a point with a good view of the objective. The FSO then pays attention to the cover and concealment the site will afford his FOs. He marks the grid on his map to pass on to his fire support NCO (FSNCO) back at the objective rallying point.

If the FSO sees enemy on the objective, he counts them and determines their degree of protection. Through his battalion FSO, he can request the shellfuze combination that will be most effective against that target. For example, if the objective is believed to be a hasty defense but turns out to be a battle position with bunkers and trenches with overhead cover, high-explosive (HE) rounds with delay fuzes might be chosen as opposed to time or variable-time (VT) fuzes.

Additionally, observing the terrain along the avenue-of-approach (AA) to the objective may help the P50 plan triggers to echelon fires: location, time, event or on-call triggers Location triggers should be on easily identifiable terrain features. The FSO places these triggers to allow continuous indirect fire suppression by the largest caliber system possible, given the asset's safety factor and the terrain along the AA.

If the ground is uneven--has defilades, hills and ravines that could offer added protection from the effects of indirect fire--the FSO may suggest a "Cease load" on a target closer to the objective than normally would be safe.

FSO Movement Options. There are two reconnaissance movement options for the FSO. The first is to return with his commander to the rallying point. There he briefs his FSNCO on any changes to the fire support plan. The company FSO forwards the refined targets and OP data to his battalion FSO. While the company P50 is talking to battalion, his FSNCO passes the refined data on to the FOs.

The second option is for the FSO to add an FO to the recon party to leave forward of the company's position. The FSO asks his commander for a small security detachment to protect his FO while forward. Task organizing in this manner entails pulling an experienced P0 from one of the platoons.

The FSO and FO move with the leaders' recon to the spot the commander designates as the release point. The FO stops there while the FSO continues on with the commander. Upon returning, the FSO quickly briefs the FO on what he saw and gives him guidance.

While the advance party returns to the rallying point, the FO stays forward with the security team. The FO moves to where he can observe the objective and refines the targets using the MELIOS-PLGR drill. He then radios the refinements in to the FSO orFSNCO who coordinates the changes with battalion and the other FOs.

One advantage to leaving an P0 forward is that it gives the FO time to lase and refine targets. This proves particularly effective if the FSO has to make many adjustments. Staying forward also enables the company to maintain sight of the enemy on the objective.

However, by staying forward, the P0 risks compromising the company's security. It also makes it difficult for the commander to exercise command and control over the entire company.

The commander determines the option based on mission, enemy, terrain, time and troops available (METT-T).

Without a good plan for the FSO to acquire information on the leaders' reconnaissance, fires may be inaccurate and ineffective. They also may kill soldiers in a friendly platoon.

RELATED ARTICLE: Company FSO Leaders' Reconnaissance Tasks

1. Refine the target grids.

* Is the target grid as accurate as possible?

* What is the elevation of the target?

* What type of sheaf should the target be shot with?

* Should an area or a point target be planned?

2. Finalize observation post (OP) locations.

* Can the planned OP clearly observe the enemy?

* Does the planned OP have good cover and concealment?

* Does battalion know my OP grids?

* Do I have OP terrain sketches?

3. Note the attitude of the enemy on the objective. How many enemy soldiers are on the objective, and what is the enemy's protection?

4. Identify the triggers. Would location, time, event or on call triggers best support the commander's plan?

COPYRIGHT 2003 U.S. Field Artillery Association
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group