A military artillery observer or spotter is responsible for directing artillery and mortar fire, as well as close air support (ground attack by aircraft) and naval artillery support, for any mission supporting ground maneuver elements. Because artillery is an indirect fire weapon system, the guns are rarely in line-of-sight of their target, often located miles away.[1] The observer serves as the eyes of the gunners, calling in target locations and adjustments to the Fire Direction Center (FDC) via radio or, (less commonly) landline and electronic means. The FDC then translates the observer's orders into firing solutions for the battery's cannons. Artillery observers are often deployed with combat arms maneuver units, typically infantry companies or armored squadrons.
On land, artillery observers are considered high-priority targets by enemy forces, as they control a great amount of firepower, are within visual range of the enemy, and are often located deep within enemy territory. The artillery observer must be skilled not only in fire direction, but also in stealth and, if necessary, combat in self-defence.
In the British Army and some Commonwealth armies such as Canada, the term Forward Observation Officer (FOO) is used.
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In the US Army, an artillery observer duty position is filled by soldiers holding the MOS 13F Fire Support Specialist. They work in as part of a Fire Support Team (FiST). A Mechanized Infantry or Tank Company FiST consists of a Fire Support Officer (a Commissioned Officer) and three to nine enlisted personnel.
In the US Marine Corps, scout observers also act as naval gunfire spotters and call for, observe and adjust artillery and naval gunfire support, and coordinate fire support assets to include mortars, rockets, artillery, NSFS and CAS/CIFS. FO teams are usually attached to infantry weapons companies to provide indirect fire support to the company's movements.
In the British system of World War II, the FOO brought artillery to fight as part of a mixed tactical formation. The basis of the formation would be a battalion of infantry with a squadron of tanks and a battery of artillery in support. The FOO, who would be an Artillery officer, travelled with the formation in his own armoured vehicle, generally a tank[nb 1] fitted with radio and map tables. Through his radio link direct to the battery he could bring artillery fire down upon an enemy position or in defence against counter-attack.[2] The FOO could also use the radio dismounted as necessary.
A functionally similar title is "MFC" (Mortar Fire Controller). He does the same role of spotting as an FOO but for the mortars. In the British Army the mortars belong to the client regiments, so both the mortar battery and the MFC wear infantry cap-badges.
Current training allows most soldiers to act as FOO/MFCs but their speed and precision may be less due to having less practice.
The Royal Air Force had been responsible for providing aircraft and crews for aerial artillery spotting, but RAF pilots had difficulty learning to direct artillery. As a result, officers from the Royal Artillery were trained as pilots to fly AOP aircraft.[3]