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INFANTRY SCHOOL

HANDOUT #1038 OPI: MOR REVISED: APR 01

ARTILLERY COMMAND AND CONTROL TERMINOLOGY

000000001. A flexible and efficient system of command and control is a means by which a commander isable to concentrate the fire support of his indirect fire resources to attain the best results during changing tacticalsituations. To be truly effective, it is desirable that this system be common amongst allies so that interoperabilitycan be achieved.

2. Command and Control of indirect fire units is defined by the assessment of a tactical mission. This willoutline the responsibilities that a fire unit must fulfil when providing fire support for a specific operation.

3. Tactical Missions. There are five standard tactical missions:

a. direct support (DS);

b. reinforcing (R);

c. general support - reinforcing (GSR);

d. general support (GS); and

e. non-standard mission.

4.0 Basic Responsibilities. Each tactical mission will define the responsibilities of the fire unit during theconduct of the mission. Each mission will answer the following seven basic questions:

a. priorities in calls for fire - from whom;

b. zone of fire - is that area of the battlefield to be covered by both fire and observation;

c. observers - who will provide;

d. liaison - do we need a LO and who will provide;

e. communication - how and who is responsible to establish communications;

f. positioning - who has the authority to position the fire unit; and

g. fire plan - who will make the fire plan.

5.0 Direct Support (DS). A fire unit placed in direct support to a unit must immediately respond to thatunit's request for fire. The following applies:

a. calls for fire support have the following priority:

(1) from the supported unit,

(2) from the DS Regts own tgt acquisition means, and

(3) from the higher headquarters;

b.0 zone of fire - this will be determined based on the supporter arms commander's requirements;

c. observers are provided - FCs, FOOs, etc.;

d. liaison is not required;

e. communication is provided through the Fire Support Coordination Centre (FSCC) and the fireunit observers;

f. fire units will normally be positioned by their commanders but can be positioned by the higher headquarters; and

g. fire plans are developed by the fire unit based on the supported commander's requirements.

6.0 Reinforcing (R). When the fire of one fire unit is not sufficient enough to support the operation, it may be reinforced by another fire unit. A fire unit can only reinforce one other fire unit, but a fire unit can bereinforced by more than one unit. The following applies:

a. calls for fire support have the following priorities:

(1) from the reinforced fire unit,

(2) from the reinforced fire unit's observers and tgt acquisition means, and

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(3) from the higher headquarters;

b.0 zone of fire - this will be determined by the requirements of the reinforced fire unit's supportedarms commander;

c. observers are not provided;

d. liaison is provided;

e. communication is provided, normally through the Liaison Officer;

f. fire units will be positioned by the reinforced fire unit or by the higher headquarters; and

g. fire plans are developed by the reinforced fire unit based on the supported commander'srequirements.

7.0 General Support - Reinforcing (GSR). This mission requires the fire unit to provide fire support to thehigher headquarters and to reinforce another fire unit. The following applies:

a. calls for fire have the following priority:

(1) from the higher headquarters,

(2) from the reinforced fire unit, and

(3) from the reinforcing fire unit's observers and tgt acquisition means;

b.0 zone of fire - this will be determined by the requirements of the commander of the higher headquarters or by the requirements of the reinforced fire unit's supported arms commander;

c. observers are not provided;

d. liaison is provided;

e. communication is established through the liaison officer;

f. fire units will be positioned by the higher headquarters or if approved, by the reinforced unit;and

g. fire plans are developed by the higher headquarters.

8.0 General Support (GS). A fire unit with a general support mission provides fire support to a higher headquarters and remains under the immediate control of that headquarters. The following applies:

a. calls for fire have the following priority:

(1) from the higher headquarters, and

(2) from the f ire unit's observers;

b.0 zone of fire - this will be determined by the requirements of the higher headquarters;

c. there is no requirement to provide observers;

d. there is no requirement for liaison or to establish communications;

e. communications is already establish with the higher headquarters;

f. the fire unit will be positioned by the higher headquarters; and

g. fire plans are developed by the higher headquarters.

9.0 Non-Standard Mission. This type of mission may be assigned in tactical situations when:

a. the commander's intent cannot be accurately conveyed with one of the standard missions;

b. it amplifies, limits or changes to the seven basic responsibilities of the fire unit.

NOTE:This will give the flexibility to adapt resources to the situation.

Attachments:

Annex A - Field Artillery Tactical Tasks and Responsibilities

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