Topic: Learning Artillery language

brinktk · July 16th, 2012

Ok, this is my area of expertise...in this situation they would likely be firing what is called a FPF or Final Protective Fires.

In this instance the Platoon Leader would likely not be calling in the artillery himself for he has a battle to direct on the ground. He would have a Forward Observer with him that would call in the fires for him. Usually the PL would simply point to the threat area and say "Make that go away" and the observer would take it from there.

The observer could do an adjust fire mission which is like what AZ infantry described. Basically, you can call up three methods of target location: Grid (at least a six digit grid coordinate), a polar mission where you give a distance and direction based off the observers location, or a shift from known point which is when there are predetermined points that are set up during the occupation of the area and you shift left, right, add, drop based off those points. Once the round lands you adjust the rounds based off of where the observer spotted it.

In this situation it would sound like

Me: Dawg one zero(the FDC) this is Bushmaster niner six(Me), adjust fire, over

FDC: Bushmaster 96 this is Dawg 10, out

Me:Grid November Delta(ND) 9872 4567...break...direction One Eight Hundred (1800) over

FDC: (FDC repeats back the info)

Me: One tank platoon in the open, ICM in effect, over

FDC: (Repeats back the info)

FDC: Message to Observer: Delta 4 rounds, target number Alpha Bravo(AB) 1208 over

Me: (repeat back the info)

When the Artillery Battery shoots the FDC will announce

FDC: Shot over

Me: Shot out

5 seconds from impact the FDC will announce

FDC: Splash over

Me: Splash out

Then the round will impact. If the round impacts to the point of causing good effects on the enemy then the observer will call back to the FDC

Me: Fire for Effect, over

FDC: Fire for effect, out

If the round is not close enough to have effects on the target then the observer will have to adjust more rounds until they DO have effects on the target. It would sound like this:

Me: Left five zero(50) Drop one hundred(100)

FDC: (repeats info)

FDC: Shot over

Me: shot out

FDC: splash over

Me: splash out

The observer will continue to make corrections until the adjusting rounds have effects. They can achieve this through successive bracketing, creeping fire, or by a bold adjustment.

Like I said before, in this case they probably would not be doing any adjusting fires though. They would likely set up target numbers on areas where the enemy is likely to occur while making their defense plans. Part of the defense plan is an FPF. This is established during the occupation and improvement of the defensive position. It is usually set in a location where the enemy is likely to have a breakthrough or where the commander feels his position is most vulnerable. In the event that the unit is being overrun the commander would likely give the go ahead to call in the FPF in conjunction with his direct fire final protective fires as well.

It would sound like:

Me: Dawg 10 this is Bushmaster 96

FDC: Bushmaster 96 this is Dawg 10

Me: Fire FPF At My Command

Once I say "at my command" the FDC will not repeat back the info they will simply wait for me to give the command to fire. I will wait until either commander gives the go ahead or when I feel it will do the most damage to the enemy forces. I would just simply say "Fire!"

If you need more details about this just send me a PM, I don't want to go into too much more detail on this in a public forum.

July 16th, 2012
brinktk	Ok, this is my area of expertise...in this situation they would likely be firing what is called a FPF or Final Protective Fires. In this instance the Platoon Leader would likely not be calling in the artillery himself for he has a battle to direct on the ground. He would have a Forward Observer with him that would call in the fires for him. Usually the PL would simply point to the threat area and say "Make that go away" and the observer would take it from there. The observer could do an adjust fire mission which is like what AZ infantry described. Basically, you can call up three methods of target location: Grid (at least a six digit grid coordinate), a polar mission where you give a distance and direction based off the observers location, or a shift from known point which is when there are predetermined points that are set up during the occupation of the area and you shift left, right, add, drop based off those points. Once the round lands you adjust the rounds based off of where the observer spotted it. In this situation it would sound like Me: Dawg one zero(the FDC) this is Bushmaster niner six(Me), adjust fire, over FDC: Bushmaster 96 this is Dawg 10, out Me:Grid November Delta(ND) 9872 4567...break...direction One Eight Hundred (1800) over FDC: (FDC repeats back the info) Me: One tank platoon in the open, ICM in effect, over FDC: (Repeats back the info) FDC: Message to Observer: Delta 4 rounds, target number Alpha Bravo(AB) 1208 over Me: (repeat back the info) When the Artillery Battery shoots the FDC will announce FDC: Shot over Me: Shot out 5 seconds from impact the FDC will announce FDC: Splash over Me: Splash out Then the round will impact. If the round impacts to the point of causing good effects on the enemy then the observer will call back to the FDC Me: Fire for Effect, over FDC: Fire for effect, out If the round is not close enough to have effects on the target then the observer will have to adjust more rounds until they DO have effects on the target. It would sound like this: Me: Left five zero(50) Drop one hundred(100) FDC: (repeats info) FDC: Shot over Me: shot out FDC: splash over Me: splash out The observer will continue to make corrections until the adjusting rounds have effects. They can achieve this through successive bracketing, creeping fire, or by a bold adjustment. Like I said before, in this case they probably would not be doing any adjusting fires though. They would likely set up target numbers on areas where the enemy is likely to occur while making their defense plans. Part of the defense plan is an FPF. This is established during the occupation and improvement of the defensive position. It is usually set in a location where the enemy is likely to have a breakthrough or where the commander feels his position is most vulnerable. In the event that the unit is being overrun the commander would likely give the go ahead to call in the FPF in conjunction with his direct fire final protective fires as well. It would sound like: Me: Dawg 10 this is Bushmaster 96 FDC: Bushmaster 96 this is Dawg 10 Me: Fire FPF At My Command Once I say "at my command" the FDC will not repeat back the info they will simply wait for me to give the command to fire. I will wait until either commander gives the go ahead or when I feel it will do the most damage to the enemy forces. I would just simply say "Fire!" If you need more details about this just send me a PM, I don't want to go into too much more detail on this in a public forum. Last edited by brinktk; July 16th, 2012 at 22:54..