JFIIT �� Joint Fires Integration & Interoperability Team

Combining the Joint Close Air Support (JCAS) Test Team and the Joint Combat Identification Evaluation Team (JCIET), JFIIT was formed 24 February at Eglin AFB, Florida. It is a joint subordinate command reporting to the Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) at Norfolk, Virginia.

JFIIT investigates, assesses and improves the integration, interoperability and operational effectiveness of joint fires and combat identification. JFIIT's purpose, structure and mission focus on creating success for the warfighter. It works to improve joint fires integration across service and joint doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, personnel and facilities (DOTMLPF).

As new and maturing technologies emerge on diverse battlefields, the dominant task has become the need for a joint team to coordinate, integrate and train joint forces for maximum joint fires interoperability. This includes developing and fielding joint tactics, techniques and procedures (JTTPs) and joint equipment. JFIIT helps the warfighter assess and isolate problems, identify solutions and, together, deliver them. JFIIT also enhances training in varied exercises and collects data supporting its analyses and assessments--ultimately to fuel improvements on the battlefield. See Figure 1 for the specific joint task areas JFIIT focuses on.

JFIIT Organization. JFIIT is organized to deliver products to the combatant commands (COCOMs) and services through an innovative and collaborative approach. It is based on the J1 through J6 model with the J3 directorate chartered as the operational production lead.

The J3 coordinates projects that are managed and fielded by project leads using expertise from throughout the organization. Projects and taskers come from many sources, including the COCOMs, services, warfighters or higher headquarters.

The J3 is the tasking authority in JFIIT. With coordination from the division chiefs, he assigns a project lead to study, assess and improve multi-level combat effectiveness. The J3 division coordinates with and supports higher headquarters and the relevant service battlelabs, doctrine commands, weapons and tactics schools and joint staff working groups.

The Advanced Concepts and Strategic Development Directorate (J5) staff develops advanced concepts in joint fires, maintains strategic plans and recommends changes to these plans as requirements and opportunities arise. The J5 staff determines key organizations in the Department of Defense (DoD) and collaborates with them to identify shortfalls and implement improvements in operational-level joint fires tasks.

The instrumentation backbone of JFIIT is the responsibility of the Technical Solutions Directorate (J6). The J6 plans, develops and executes instrumentation for collecting and debriefing data, voice and electronic assessments.

JFIIT Projects. Selected JFIIT projects stem from three primary sources: Joint Training (JFCOM J7), Joint Battle Management Command and Control (JBMC[.sup.2]) (JFCOM J8) and warfighter concerns and issues input through the services and COCOMs. Three examples of JFIIT projects include the DoD Joint National Training Capability (JNTC) Implementation Plan, Training Transformation Implementation Plan and JCAS Joint Mission Thread.

JNTC Capability. The JNTC aligns selected service training programs to best perform both service and joint training tasks during scheduled training operations, significantly improving joint training opportunities. For example, the Air Force's Air Combat Command (ACC), Langley, AFB, Virginia, Air Warrior exercises and the Army's National Training Center (NTC). Fort Irwin, California, rotations are aligned to provide optimal JCAS integration and joint fires for maneuver brigades. This provides aircrews and ground commanders' realistic joint fires training.

The DoD Training Transformation Implementation Plan (9 June 2004, Paragraph 3.4.1.10) tasks the JFCOM Joint Force Trainer Capabilities Group to be the lead for joint force training implemented through the JNTC. As part of that effort, JFCOM tasked JFIIT to develop and deliver a comprehensive JNTC analysis capability. JFIIT designs and implements joint fires data collection plans for the JNTC exercises. For example, JFIIT will test one data collection plan that incorporates NTC observer/controllers during the JNTC-designated rotation in September.

Services' Joint Transformation. Chartered to support joint and service training transformation and capture valuable lessons learned, JFIIT pursues curricula enhancements to service schools, such as the Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and the Air Force Air-Ground Operations School (AGOS) at Nellis AFB, Nevada. JFIIT also facilitates integrating key issues and lessons with Fort Sill's Joint and Combined Integration Directorate (JACI) and the Army's Combat Training Centers (CTCs).

JFIIT's charter is to work joint fires lessons learned with all the services' relevant schoolhouses and training centers. Having been established only seven months ago, JFIIT is still developing some service relationships.

JCAS Mission Assessment. JFIIT spearheaded the creation of JCAS Joint Mission Thread (JMT) Assessment Campaign Plan to improve the efficiency and timeliness of digital information exchange between joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs) and CAS platforms. This plan identifies COCOMs, services and agencies and their subordinate activities and organizations that produce and implement materiel and other DOTMLPF solutions for JCAS. JFIIT conducts JBMC[.sup.2] testing in concert with training assessments, such as the September 4th Infantry Division JNTC rotation at the NTC.

Direct Support for Warfighters. JFIIT directly supports warfighters who require urgent resolution of issues. Recently, JFIIT conducted the Laser Range Finder (LRF) Reference Point Method/Quick-Look Operational Study (RPM/QLOS) at the NTC. The RPM compensates for changes in the earth's magnetic field, LRF azimuth error and external magnetic interference. This new precision technique is employed today by warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Observations during recent tests and in interviews with current JTACs indicated that the way Soldiers were employing the LRF on their vehicles or with their personal equipment might be affecting the LRF's azimuth accuracy when using the RPM. So JFIIT analyzed the effects the vehicles and personal equipment have on the LRF's azimuth accuracy and evaluated the test participants' ability to use the RPM technique.

The analysis was conducted at the NTC and was based on more than 3,850 LRF shots using surveyed four-by-eight foot targets at a nominal observer-to-target distance of 1,000 meters. As a result of JFIIT's analysis, JFCOM sent a safety message to operators in the deployed theater, providing safety warnings and highlighting the findings. The turn-around time from the Soldiers' in theater identifying the problem with the LRF equipment and RPM technique to implementation of the safety warning (the solution) was less than 90 days.

The Way Ahead. JFIIT is working to create a joint perspective, foster inventive and adaptive leadership, and ensure responsible stewardship of joint fires issues. JFIIT was organized to provide overlapping and continuous root-cause joint fires analyses and solutions to the services, the warfighter and the joint training centers.

As the Joint Force's Executive Secretariat for Joint Fires and Effects, Fort Sill is a primary customer of JFIIT. During the 2005 Fires and Effects Symposium at Fort Sill, several issues were identified as opportunities for synergy between the FA School, JACI and JFIIT. (See Figure 2.)

As is true with all JFIIT's projects, JFIIT will help tackle these issues to provide the leadership, vision and wherewithal to transform the joint fires community from integrated to interdependent operations.

Major (Retired) K. Daniel "Crash" Jones, USAF, is a Senior Analyst in the J5 of the Joint Fires Integration and Interoperability Team (JFIIT) at Eglin AFB, Florida. He was an A/OA-10 Thunderbolt pilot for 20 years.

Major (Retired) Donald W. Perry, USAF, is a Senior Analyst for command and control and airspace management in the JFIIT J3. He served as the Airspace Manager for the Joint Combat Identification Evaluation Team (JCIET) for the past five years.

Lieutenant Colonel Dale S. Ringler, USA, is the Assistant J3 in JFIIT. Previously, he was the S3 for the 3d Brigade, 1st Armored Division (1st AD), during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) II.

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Mark L. Jenner, USAF, is an Operations Analyst and Exercise Planner in the J3 of JFIIT. He is a Command Pilot with more than 2,600 hours flying the T-38 Talon, A-10 Thunderbolt and F-117A Nighthawk.

Senior Master Sergeant (Retired) Dennis L. Wise, USAF, is a Senior Analyst for JCAS in the J3 of JFIIT. He was an Enlisted Terminal Attack Controller (ETAC) while in the Air Force.

By Major (Retired) K. Daniel Jones, USAF; Major (Retired) Donald W. Perry, USAF; Lieutenant Colonel Dale S. Ringler, USA; Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Mark L. Jenner, USAF; and Senior Master Sergeant (Retired) Dennis L. Wise, USAF

* Joint Targeting
* Joint Interdiction
* Joint Close Air Support (JCAS)
* Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS)
* Surface-to-Surface Fire Support
* Joint Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (J-SEAD)
* Non-Kinetic Means/Nonlethal Effects
* Command and Control ([C.sup.2])
* Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
* Joint Theater Air and Missile Defense (JTAMD)
* Offensive Counter Air (OCA)
* Combat Identification (CID)

Figure 1: Joint Tasks of the Joint Fires Integration and
Interoperability Team (JFIIT), Eglin AFB, Florida

* Army Battlefield Coordination Detachments (BCDs) and the USAF Falconer
  Air and Space Operations Centers
* Fires Knowledge Network (FKN)
* Joint Information Operations (IO)
* Effects-Based Operations (EBO)
* Simulated Type I Close Air Support (CAS) Controls in the Joint Fires
  and Effects Trainer System (JFETS)
* Joint Fires Observer (JFO) Concept
* JFO Training Capability at Fort Sill
* Restricted Military Airspace Initiative (Fort Sill)
* Fort Sill as the Army Center of Excellence for Joint Fires and Effects
* Joint Fires Center of Excellence Concept of Operations (Fort Sill as
  the Executive Secretariat)
* Service and Joint Fires Center of Excellence Integration

Figure 2: Issues JFIIT is working with Fort Sill, Oklahoma

COPYRIGHT 2005 U.S. Field Artillery Association
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group