Quick reference for Forward Observers: six elements, three transmissions, and the standard adjustment / end of mission flow.
Three transmissions, full readback, then execution.
A CFF consists of six elements done in three full readback transmissions.
| Transmission | Elements |
|---|---|
| 1 | (1) Identification, (2) Warning Order |
| 2 | (3) Target Location |
| 3 | (4) Target Description, (5) Method of Engagement, (6) Method of Control |
The first transmission consists of Identification and WARNO. Upon sending of a call for fire request, all other call signs on the same net are to cease comms except in an emergency, this removes the need to prepend every transmission with call signs, because it is understood that this is a conversation between only two.
The Call for Fire is initiated like any other radio transmission with a verbal handshake. You first identify the addressee call sign, (the gun battery), and then identify yourself with your FO call sign.
The WARNO consists of a) the type of mission, and b) the method of target location.
a)
| Type of mission | Use/Description |
|---|---|
| Fire for effect | If hostile position is accurately determined (or after adjusting fire), all guns will fire on the target |
| Adjust fire | Used when position is questionable or more accuracy is needed, a single round will be fired and the FO will then provide adjustment from the fall of shot |
| Suppression | Shots to be used to suppress a target or area |
b) Method of target location will be “Grid”, “Polar”, or “shift from known point” (if no method is given, grid is assumed)
This ends the first transmission, the gun battery is to read back your first transmission to you verbatim
In this second transmission, you only give location information. This, too, will be read back to you, and you are expected to listen for errors so that you can correct them.
| Target Location | Example |
|---|---|
| GRID |
"GRID 1234 tack 5678." “GRID 123456 Keypad 9” |
| POLAR | "Direction 320, Distance 900." |
| SHIFT FROM KNOWN POINT |
"Known Point Foxbat, direction 190, distance 400, up 50." "Known Point Badger, left 200, add 150, down 20." |
Whenever possible, the GRID method of target location is preferred. This is the easiest and quickest method and avoids all possible confusion, because the others introduce extra steps for the FDC to plot.
This ends the second transmission, the gun battery is to read back your second transmission to you verbatim
| NUMBER & TYPE |
“Two Jeeps, One Gavin, one squad dismounted” “One fortified compound” |
| DEGREE OF PROTECTION | “In the open”, “Dug in”, “In bunkers” |
| AMMUNITION | HE, ICM (Cluster), Smoke. If not specified the FDC will decide based on your TARGET DESCRIPTION. |
| VOLUME | You may request a specific number of rounds in total. If not specified the FDC will decide based on your TARGET DESCRIPTION. |
| FOLLOWED BY | You may request multiple ammo types per fire mission. Example: "6 rounds HE FOLLOWED BY 6 rounds ICM" |
| DURATION | "DURATION five minutes,..." |
| Danger Close | Target is within 300 meters of any friendly (note that the IRL distance for danger close is longer) |
| FIRE WHEN READY | REQUEST SPLASH | REQUEST TIME OF FLIGHT |
|---|---|---|
| (requests 5 second warning before round impact) |
This ends the third transmission, the gun crew will again readback your transmission to you. If readback is correct, acknowledge it as such, the gun crew will proceed to action your fire mission.
Following the initial call for fire, either adjustment of fires or the actioning of the requested fire mission will occur, after which the F/O will report effect on target and either request additional rounds or end the fire mission
Upon end of a fire mission being called, the net is free for other comms traffic again