The call for fire (CFF) is the standardised method of requesting support from indirect fire assets.
A CFF consists of six elements done in three transmissions. Every transmission is read back verbatim, because error correction is paramount when it comes to the battlefield’s most devastating weapon orchestrated by words alone.
Only when an element readback is correct, the FO continues to the next. Otherwise, the transmission is redone in full until it is error-free.
Because of this, the CFF epitomises the ABC of comms: accuracy, brevity, clarity.
It handles all of this for you as long as you follow its structure: trust it, because it is enough.
Transmission | Elements |
---|---|
1 | (1/2) FM/BS-722 - Transmit a CFF warning order |
2 | (3) FM/BS-723 - Transmit a CFF target location |
3 | (4) FM/BS-724 - Transmit a CFF target description |
First transmission
The first transmission includes the Warning Order, or WARNO. It clears the channel of all other traffic and signals that a Call for Fire is underway.
This also removes the need to begin every subsequent transmission of the CFF with your call signs, because it is understood that this is a conversation between only two.
- (1) identification: “Hammer, this is Sierra…”
The Call for Fire is initiated like any other radio transmission with a verbal handshake. You first identify the addressee call sign, which is the FSC, and then identify yourself with your FO call sign.
- Ex.1: (2) warning order: “...adjust fire (a), polar (b), over.”
- Ex.2: (2) warning order: “...fire for effect (a), [ ] (b), over.”
- Ex.3: (2) warning order: “...adjust fire (a), shift A01 (b), over.”
The WARNO consists of (a) the type of mission, and (b) the method of target location. If (b) is ‘grid’, then it need not be said as the assumed default, see ex.2.
Note that the method of target location does not include actual target location data.
Second transmission
The second transmission only includes target location data. Once again this is for easier error handling, so that the fewest possible factors need to be corrected and therefore retransmitted in full at a time.
- Ex.1: (3) target location: “Direction 1300, distance 2300, over.”
- Ex.2: (3) target location: “Grid 1234 tack 5678, over.”
- Ex.3: (3) target location: “Direction 3140, left 160, add 100, down 50, over.”
Whenever possible, the grid method of target location is preferred.
Third transmission
The third and final transmission of the CFF describes what is engaged, how it is engaged and when. This is where the most information can be delivered at once, so overload on either side of the transaction is most likely to happen here. Speak slowly, clearly, and follow the format of the CFF to set and fulfil correct expectations.
Also, try to include only what is strictly necessary for your CFF to achieve good effect. If you don’t need a target shape, leave it out. If you don’t need the time of flight or durations, don’t request them.
- (4) target description: “three infantry squads in the open, radius 100 …”
The target description as the only required element in the third transmission is chiefly present for the FSC to decide on ammunition and volume based on known factors. Infantry dug-in can be engaged differently to vehicles in the open, for example, and larger target areas require more volume to achieve sufficient effect.
- (5) method of engagement: “smoke in adjust, 5 smoke followed by 10 HE in effect, danger close …”
The method of engagement describes how the FO wants to engage the target, if not left to the FSC. This is also where the prowords DANGER CLOSE are stated, because it informs the FSC to double-check their solution, such as by cross-referencing friendly positions and movements.
- (6) method of control: “request time of flight, request splash, at my command, over.”
The method of control is defined by the observer to optimise the flow of the mission. When timing is important, the FO can request a control scheme to best suit their needs to ensure timely effect and good observation of the impacts.
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