Artillery observer
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An artillery observer is a soldier responsible for directing artillery fire and aircraft onto enemy positions. Because artillery is an indirect-fire weapon system, the guns are typically not in line-of-sight of their target. The observer serves as the eyes of the artillery battery, calling target locations and adjustments to a Fire Direction Center, which translates the observer's spottings into firing solutions for the battery's guns. Artillery observers are deployed with maneuver combat arms units, typically infantry companies or armoured squadrons.
Given the need for the observer to be in visual range of a target, which can require being in enemy territory, and the general awareness of the firepower at his command, the soldier in question is often considered a high priority target by both snipers and regular personnel.
In the U.S. Army, an artillery observer is known as a Forward Observer (FO). An FO team usually comprises an officer, a technician, a driver/radio operator, plus any extra personnel required.
In the British and Canadian armies, an artillery observer is known as a Forward Observation Officer (FOO, pronounced /fuː/), or Fire Effects Detachment (FED).
In the Royal Australian Artillery an artillery observer team is called a Joint Offensive Support Team (JOST) and is made up of the Forward Observer Officer (usually a Captain), his assistant (usually a Bombardier—2 stripes) and two Artillery Signallers (Gunners—no stripes). They are trained in calling in field artillery fire missions as well as naval gunfire and close air support (CAS) missions from the Air Force.
[edit] Forward Observers in the US Marine Corps/US Army
Often called FISTERS, or members of a FIST (Fire Support Team), nicknamed "The Eyes of Death". Their missions are always critical as mental errors under stress can bring the massive firepower and ordinance they control down on friendly forces as well as enemy. FIST team members are especially self-reliant and independent. Their mission requires quick thinking under pressure, effectively integrating with many types of units and command structures as well as the ability to operate independently.
In the United States Marine Corps, the military occupation specialty (MOS) for Forward Observers is 0861, in the Army it is 13 FOXTROT, therefore all enlisted personal schooled in this duty will carry this designation. Officially, FO's are actually designated “Fire Support Specialists”. While they are commonly referred to as Forward Observers or FO's, this is more precisely the designation of a Fire Support in a particular position.
That particular position is when the Fire Support Specialist is being used to augment the infantry. However, this is not the only position that a Fire Support Specialist can undertake. Here are more examples and explanations:
In the mechanized infantry or Armored Tank force structure the Fire Support Team (consisting of a driver, a commander, a Fire Support Non-Commissioned Officer, and a Fire Support Specialist in the rank of E4 Specialist) work as one within a Bradley Fighting Vehicle specially designed for the task of Coordinating indirect fire. This vehicle is called a B-FIST, combining the names of “Bradley” and “Fire Support Team.” There are also dismounted FO teams used to augment mechanized infantry squads operating on foot. FO's also set up OP's or Observation Posts in a Mechanized Infantry or Armored Tank environment to act as "eyes on" spotters.
In the light infantry, however, Fire Support Specialists more directly augment platoons often in a direct action role. It is in this case that the FISTer officially performs the duty that allows him to be designated an “FO” Each infantry platoon is assigned a Forward Observer in the rank of E-5 Sergeant, along with his Radio/Telephone Operator (RTO). These FO's fall under the auspices of the Fire Support Officer and Fire Support Non-Commissioned Officer who work at company-level.
Another variation of duty for the Fire Support Specialist is the assignment to a Combat Observation Lasing Team (COLT). The COLT is a high-technology observer team designed to maximize the use of smart munitions. A COLT can be used with any munition that requires reflected laser energy for final ballistic guidance delivered by Air Force and Army aircraft. COLTs can also be used as independent observers to weight key or vulnerable areas. In theory, this is a desired position, as well as a competitive one.
A COLT team consists of an E-5 Sergeant team leader, an E-4 Specialist (who performs the actual duties of directing fires under the team leader’s supervision) and a lower ranking driver. The teams are assigned a humvee but also all needed equipment to perform their duties via on-foot movement. The teams are controlled by E-6 Staff Sergeant squad leaders, an E-7 Sergeant First Class platoon sergeant and a platoon leader that can hold any rank from O-1 2nd Lieutenant to O-3 Captain, depending on situation. COLT teams are historically seen as a brigade asset and therefore, fall under direct command of the brigade’s Fire Support Officer, which is a Major. The teams are occasionally augmented to Brigade Reconnaissance Teams, forming a Troop along side platoons of Cavalry Scouts.
Fire Support Specialists are also vital for their skill in enemy vehicle recognition. Because of this, along with the need for coordinated indirect fire support control at higher levels, Fire Support Specialists are also assigned to augment “Fire Support Elements” that travel with headquarters from Brigade level to Corps.
Regardless of the specific duty to be assigned to a Fire Support Specialist, all US Army 13-series soldiers attend training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The training for 13F’s has recently been revamped to become One-Station Unit Training, meaning that recruits complete both Basic Combat Training and their job training at not only the same facility with the same cadre but in one long training period- there is no longer a separation between “Boot” camp and job training for Fire Support Specialists. Marines receive their forward observer training at Fort Sill, after their initial training as well.
All Fire Support Specialists have limited training with controlling of Close-Air Support (CAS)- military-speak for airplane support. However, they also work hand in hand with the Air Force’s Tactical Air Controllers who are assigned specifically this duty.
The oft-overlooked position is considered one of the most dangerous positions on the battlefield. FOs are highly skilled and usually exceptionally intelligent, with the average FO scoring much higher on his Army/Marine entrance tests than normal recruits. He is also able to work silently for long periods of time, as some missions may range from hours to several days, even weeks, long. He can operate with minimal support located both on or behind the enemy lines, at a tactical and professional level, and also can serve in mission planning, strategy, and advisory positions with his command elements.
Forward Observers, due to their intelligence, adaptability, and broad range of combat skills are often superb candidates for many special operations units and training. FIST and COLT teams will often take on mission profiles normally shunned by most regular units. Occasionally, FOs will be trained for additional mission profile expansions, such as training for long-range reconnaissance, specific climate/locale (i.e. jungle, arctic, mountain, or urban environments), and training in other specializations, such as , Airborne, Pathfinder, and Air Assault are rather common among FOs. 13 Foxtrot/0861 are the only artillery job designators for enlisted soldiers which, due to the missions they may encounter, are authorized to attend . FOs are often very highly sought-after by high-profile combat units like the US Army's 82nd Airborne, 101st Infantry (Air Assault), 10th Mountain Division, 2nd Infantry (STRYKER), and the 75th Ranger Regiment to name just a few. They are also prevalent in the elite USMC combat units. Whether operating in US Army or Marine infantry units or even SOCOM (Special Operations) these highly trained specialized personnel are a definitely valued asset.
[edit] Joint Fires Observer
A Joint Fires Observer is trained as a universal observer. The JFO is forward deployed and can call in artillery fire, just like a Fire Support Specialist (MOS MARINES-0861, ARMY-13 Foxtrot). In addition, JFOs are trained a less extensive version of the JTAC course so they can call air support.
As the USMC/US Army is transitioning its large division-based structure to more mobile brigades, it plans to reduce heavy artillery and depend more on air support. Because of this the Army wants 4000 JTACs assigned to ground units. The US Air Force believes such difficult to produce specialists (currently only 700) should not be organic (permanently assigned) but instead liquid, assigned only when needed. The JFO comes in as a compromise between the Marines, Army and the Air Force. Due to the modern operating environment there is a need for interservice cooperation.
