Joint Fires (JFIRE)

Joint Fires (JFIRE)

Joint Fires (JFIRE). A JFIRE is a certified and qualified 1893rd member who, from a forward position, requests, adjusts, and controls surface-to surface and air-to surface support fires; provides targeting information in support of CAS and Artillery.

The scope of this includes the following types of support operations and planning:

• Field artillery (FSE)

• Tactical air support (tactical air control party [TACP])

• Battlefield AirSpace Management (BAM)

Field Artillery (FSE)

Targeting coordination and for integrating surface to surface fire operating in the supported ground commander’s area of responsibility. 

Tactical Air Support (Tactical Air Control Party [TACP])

Planning, coordination, and direction of close air support and tactical air reconnaissance operating in the supported ground commander’s area of responsibility. 

Battlefield Airspace Management (BAM)

Planning, coordination, and direction of airlift, and integrating airspace requirements in the supported ground commander’s area of responsibility. 

Brevity codes are lists of short coded messages which are used in voice radio communications for three main reasons:

• • they shorten transmissions,

  • they obscure meaning from the General Public, and

  • they provide users with a convenient dictionary of messages, such that everyone's working off the same sheet of music

See the List of Brevity Codes at the end of the Page.

There should be no set color for VS panels or smoke,

• • For target marking the unit marking should identify the color of the marker.

  • For insertion or pick up the unit inserting or picking up should identify the color of the marker they see, then the placing unit confirms

Close Air Support (CAS):

Close air support is air action by fixed-wing (FW) and rotary-wing (RW) aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of those forces.

Close air support is indirect fires from aircraft near soldiers that requires detailed coordination to prevent fratricide or civilian casualties. The person calling for fire is responsible for the fire’s effects.

Close Combat Attack (CCA):

 A hasty or deliberate attack by Army aircraft providing air-to-ground fires for friendly units engaged in close combat. Due to the close proximity of friendly forces, detailed integration is required.

The definition of close combat attack is similar to close air support; the main difference is the consideration of close combat attack by the Army as a direct fire weapon system in which the aircrew is responsible for their fires.

This section will provide standard procedures for CAS execution. JFIRE, JFC’s, Unit Leaders, and CAS aircrews, should be familiar with the standard formats used in passing key information between CAS participants. One way to ensure this is to follow standardized procedures. This begins with CAS aircraft check-in procedures, providing situation updates, and includes following standard TTP during final attack control. 

Abort Code

Should be two words, (not break break or Cease Fire)

Each about code should be unique to each aircraft 

Clearance to Drop/Fire. 

As the Aircraft is passing the IP they needs to check in, the JFIRE will then provide clearance

Responses to check in

Abort code      Abort the pass do not release

Cleared hot   You are cleared to make the pass and release the ordnance 

Continue      You are cleared to make the pass but DO not release the ordnance  (cleared hot may follow)

Cleared to engage  You are cleared to make the pass and release the ordnance at plots desecration 

Re-attacks. 

Re-attacks allow CAS aircraft to quickly reposition to attack the same target, and while maneuvering, maintain compliance with any restrictions in force. A re-attack may be requested if additional weapons effects are required on the target. 

Abort Procedures. 

The JFIRE may call an Abort at any time during the pass by repeating the abort code.

If aborted the aircraft should 

• If before the IP reverse course 

• If pasted the IP go to the EP

Battle Damage Assessment

After the CAS pass the JFIRE should inform the aircraft of the success or failure of the mission 

Ineffective re engage = Same as re-attack

Negative Effect = Target not destroyed return to CP and wait further orders 

Good Effect = Target destroyed return to CP and wait further orders 

The aircraft should reply back with if they are going back to the CP or RTB

Indirect fire is aiming and firing a projectile without relying on a direct line of sight between the gun and its target, as in the case of direct fire. Aiming is performed by calculating azimuth and inclination, and may include correcting aim by observing the fall of shot and calculating new angles.

Trajectory

The path followed by a projectile flying or an object moving under the action of given forces.. 

Coriolis Effect and Eötvös Effect

The Coriolis effect causes Coriolis drift in a direction perpendicular to the Earth's axis; for most locations on Earth and firing directions, this deflection includes horizontal and vertical components. The deflection is to the right of the trajectory in the northern hemisphere, to the left in the southern hemisphere, upward for eastward shots, and downward for westward shots. The vertical Coriolis deflection is also known as the Eötvös effect. Coriolis drift is not an aerodynamic effect; it is a consequence of the rotation of the Earth.

You will notice that when you shoot north or south, your shots will start to "drift" right. This is because the earth (yes even in ARMA) is continuing to rotate beneath the shell, but the shell is not receiving the force from the earth. This means the ground is moving relative to the shell at a small speed.

Accounting for the Coriolis Effect stops your shells from drifting, but you still notice  when you are firing the weapon. You notice that you tend to overshoot when shooting east, and undershoot when shooting west. This is known as the Eötvös Effect, and is caused again by relative motion to the ground. This time it is due to the apparent centrifugal force applied when moving in the same direction or against the earth's rotation. You must account for all three of these factors to begin zeroing a weapon. 

A sheaf is the plane of fire of a group of weapons.

Square Sheaf

A Square box defined by and X and Y where the rounds will fall around within that box with the aim point at the center

Circler Sheaf

A circle defined by a single distance  where the rounds will fall around within that circle with the aim point at the center

Point Sheaf

all rounds will fall on the aim point.

Six elements of a call for fire

Observer identification

Fire missions are started with the observer identification (call sign):

Warning order Mission type:

Fire mission

Target location

The grid of the target 

Target description

The target description should provide enough detail to enable the firer to determine the amount and type of ammunition to be used. The description should be brief, but accurate, and contain the: 

• • Type of target (troops, supply dump, trucks) 

  • Target activity (digging in, assembly area) 

  • Number of elements in the target (squad, three trucks) 

  • Degree of protection (in the open, in fighting holes, in bunkers with overhead cover)

Method of engagement

Method of engagement  describes the attack of the target. The options are  “Danger close” and Munitions, if laser guided the laser code should be included.

For arma purposes Danger close ranges

• Under 200 meters, mortar

• Under 400 meters, Self-Propelled Howitzer

• Under 1000 meters, MLRS  HE

• Under 2000 meters, MLRS Cluster

Method of fire and control

At my command (AMC). 

This announcement indicates that the observer desires to control the time of delivery of fire. The observer announces, "At my command," immediately preceding "Adjust fire or fire for effect." 

Cannot observe. 

This announcement indicates that the observer cannot adjust fire. However, the observer believes that a target exists at the given location, and the target is important enough to justify firing on it without adjustment. 

Time on target (TOT). 

The observer may tell the FDC when he wants the rounds to impact by requesting, "Time on target (amount of minutes desired) minutes from now," or "Time on target zero six four five (0645) hours." 

Continuous illumination. 

If no interval is given by the observer, the section sergeant determines the interval by the burn time of the illuminating ammunition in use. If another interval is required, it is indicated in seconds. 

Cease fire. 

This command is used during firing of two or more rounds to stop the loading of rounds into the mortars. The gun sections may fire any rounds that have already been loaded (hung). 

Check fire. 

This command is used to cause an immediate halt in firing. 

Continuous fire. 

In mortars, this command means loading and firing as rapidly as possible, consistent with accuracy, within the prescribed rate of fire for the mortar being used. Firing continues until suspended by the commands CEASE LOADING or CHECK FIRE. 

Marking Brevity Terms

BLIND – No visual contact of friendly aircraft/ground position. Opposite of VISUAL.

BURN – EO / IR illuminator is being used to provide illumination of surface points of interest.

CAPTURED – Specific surface target / object has been acquired and is being tracked with an on-board sensor.

CONTACT – 

• Sensor contact at the stated position. 

• Acknowledges

• sighting of a specified reference point (either visually or via sensor). 

• Individual radar return within a GROUP or ARM.

NO JOY – Aircrew does not have visual contact with the target / bandit / landmark. Opposite of TALLY.

PULSE – Illuminate / illuminating an enemy position with flashing IR energy.

ROPE – Circling an IR pointer around an aircraft to help the aircraft identify the friendly ground position.

SNAKE – Oscillate an IR pointer about a target.

SPARKLE – 

• Mark/marking target by IR pointer. 

• Platform is IR point capable.

STEADY – Stop oscillation of IR pointer.

STOP – Stop IR illumination of a target.

TALLY – Sighting of a target, non-friendly aircraft, landmark, or enemy position. Opposite of NO JOY.

VISUAL – Sighting of a friendly aircraft/ground position. Opposite of BLIND.

Laser Brevity Terms

DEADEYE – Laser designator system inoperative.

LASER ON – Start / acknowledge laser designation.

LASING – The speaker is firing the laser.

NEGATIVE LASER – Aircraft has not acquired laser energy.

SHIFT (direction) – Shift laser / IR / radar device energy. 

• • Can be used to shift from the offset position onto the target. 

  • Also used during multi aircraft attack to shift laser energy to the next target.

SPOT – 

• • •  Acquisition of laser designation. 

    • Platform is laser spot tracker capable.

STARE (with laser code and reference point) – Cue the laser spot search / tracker function on the specified laser code in relation to the specific reference point. Reference points may include the following: steerpoint, GEOREF, bearing, and range of data link point.

TEN SECONDS – Standby for “LASER ON” call in approximately 10 seconds.

TERMINATE – Stop laser illumination of a target.

SURFACE-TO-SURFACE

CEASE – 

• ENGAGEMENT – A fire control order used to direct units to stop the firing sequence against a designated target. Guided missiles already in flight will continue to intercept. 

• FIRE –  Discontinue firing/do not open fire. Complete intercept if weapons are in flight; continue to track.

• LASER – directive to stop firing laser. Opposite of LASER ON

CHECK FIRE (FIRING) – Directive call to cease firing immediately. 

GREYHOUND – Friendly ground attack cruise missile 

HOLD FIRE – An emergency fire control order to stop firing on a designated target

KILL – Directive call to fire on designated targets. 

LASER ON – Directive call to start laser designation

LASING – Informative call indicating that the speaker is firing the laser. 

SHOT – Informative call indicating round(s) has(ve) been fired. 

SPLASH(ED) – Informative call to observer or spotter five seconds prior to estimated time of impact. 

WARNING – Hostile attack is: 

• RED – Imminent or in progress.

• YELLOW – Probable

• WHITE – Improbable (all clear). 

WEAPONS – 

• FREE – At targets not identified as friendly IAW current ROE. 

• TIGHT –  At targets positively identified as hostile IAW current ROE. 

• HOLD/SAFE –  In self-defense or in response to a formal order. 

Other Brevity Terms

ARIZONA – No anti-radiation missiles remaining.

(weapon) AWAY – Release / launch of specified weapon (e.g., PIGS AWAY, LONG RIFLE AWAY, etc.) Note: Include launch location in bullseye format and weapon track direction for PIGS and LONG RIFLE.

BINGO – Fuel state needed for recovery.

HOLD FIRE – An emergency fire control order to stop firing on a designated target, to include destruction of any missiles in-flight.

JOKER – Fuel state above BINGO at which separation / bugout / event termination should begin.

LONG RIFLE – Friendly long range A/S missile launch (e.g., AGM-130, stand-off land attack missile-expanded range [SLAM-ER]). See (weapon) AWAY.

MAGNUM (system / location) – Launch of a friendly anti radiation missile.

OFFSET (direction) – Maneuver in a specified direction with reference to a target.

PIG(S) – Friendly glide weapon(s) (e.g., joint stand-off weapon [JSOW]). See (weapon) AWAY.

PLAYTIME – Amount of time aircraft can remain on station, given in hours plus minutes (e.g., ONE PLUS THIRTY equals one hour and thirty minutes).

(freq) POGO (freq) – Switch to communication channel number preceding POGO. If unable to establish communications, switch to channel number following POGO. If no channel number follows POGO, return to this channel.

REMINGTON – No ordnance remaining except gun or self-protect ammunition.

RIFLE – Friendly A/S missile launch.

SPLASH – 

• (A/S) Weapons impact. 

• (surface-to-surface) Informative call to observer or spotter five seconds prior to estimated time of impact. 

• (airto-air [A/A]) Target destroyed.

SUNSHINE – Illuminating target with artificial illumination.

THUNDER – One minute until A/S weapons impact.

WINCHESTER – No ordnance remaining.