a. The successful coordination of fire support on surface targets, whether planned or in response to requests, demands complete understanding of the principles of fire support coordination. These principles are briefly discussed below:

(1) Consider the use of all fire support available. The fire support coordinator (FSC) must consider the use of all fire support assets available to the force.

(2) Assign fire missions to the agency capable of delivering the most effective fire. Fire missions are assigned to, or requested from the agency that can deliver the most effective fire , providing that agency can deliver the necessary fire within the required time.

(3) Provide rapid coordination. Procedures for rapid coordination must be established and practiced in order to attack targets within the shortest possible time.

(4) Provide safeguards to friendly troops, vessels, aircraft, and installations. Control, coordination, and limiting measures serve this purpose.

(5) Coordinate airspace. Because fire support requires airspace, the fire support coordination process must include the necessary airspace coordination to reduce interference between the fire support agencies and other airspace users.

a. The fire support coordination center (FSCC) mission is to provide a single location in which are centralized communications facilities and personnel incident to the coordination of all forms of fire support (Joint Pub 1-02). It is the only agency in which the supporting arms representatives and communication equipment needed to plan and coordinate air, artillery, and naval surface fire support are centralized.

The FSCC is located with the combat operations center (COC). The senior FSCC in the GCE is designated as the GCE FSCC and is collocated with the DASC or a liaison team thereof. If collocation with the DASC agency is not possible, reliable communications between the GCE FSCC and the DASC agency are a must.

b. The FSCC for a Marine division is a formal organization within the division headquarters. At the regiment, the FSCC is manned by liaison personnel as representatives of the supporting arms. At battalion level, the weapons company commander is the fire support coordinator (FSC). Whether staffed by table of organization (T/O) personnel, or liaison personnel, fire support coordination is characterized by close liaison and flexible communications. The operation of all FSCCs is based on the same fundamentals of fire support coordination.

The senior fire support coordination agency is the Force Fires Coordination Center (FFCC). It plans, coordinates, and executes fires in support of the MEF Commander’s concept of operations. It also coordinates force level fires in the MEF deep fight and coordinating subordinate commands’ Fire Support operations in the close and rear battle.

(1) Division FSCC


• The division FSCC has a key role in targeting. This is because the division headquarters possesses a much greater capability to collect and analyze target information than any other echelon on the GCE. Supporting arms representatives of the division FSCC identify requirements, make estimates, and make recommendations to the division commander for the allocation of fire support means within the division.



(2) Regimental FSCC


• The regiment is normally the lowest echelon where commanders are allotted means to influence the battle significantly with fire support. In planning and using fire support assets, regimental FSCCs play a key role. The regimental FSCC assists and supervises the FSCCs of the subordinate battalions and clears fires which will impact in the regiment's zone of action.



(3) Battalion FSCC


• Most fire support coordination in operations is performed in battalion FSCCs. All fire support requests originating in the battalion are monitored/received in the FSCC. These requests are checked to ensure that the supporting arms are integrated with the scheme of maneuver and that friendly forces are not needlessly endangered. Fire support planning efforts by battalion FSCCs are relatively limited in comparison to the detailed and extensive planning of higher headquarters.



(4) Company FSCC


• A company does not have an FSCC as such. The company commander, assisted by his artillery forward observer (FO), mortar FO, and if assigned, a forward air controller (FAC), performs the fire support coordination necessary at the company level. This is referred to as a Fire Support team (FST).

a. The composition of the FSCC includes a fire support coordinator, an artillery liaison officer, a naval surface fire support liaison officer, and an air officer. At division and higher echelons, provision is made for a target information officer. Many other individuals are also necessary to the operation of the FSCC. They perform clerical, operational, and communication duties, and function as assistants and section supervisors.

(1) Fire Support Coordinator (FSC):

• (a) The FSC is responsible for organizing, training, and supervising the personnel of the FSCC. The FSC is also responsible for the coordination of fire support plans and recommendations.
• (b) The duties of the FSC or assistant FSC (AFSC), include the following:

        1.  Advises the commander on fire support.

        2.  After receiving the commander's concept of operations, prepares the fire support plan
            , with assistance from the supporting arms representatives.

        3.  Ensures fire support plans can be implemented with the fire support means available
            , and, if necessary, coordinates with the operations officer (G-3/S-3) and the commander to secure
             additional means or to modify plans.

        4.  Recommends fire support coordination measures (FSCMs) to the commander.

        5.  Works with the operations officer as he plans boundaries, as these will impact on FSCMs.

(2) Artillery Liaison Officer (LNO):

• (a) The artillery LNO is the AFSC and artillery representative in the division FSCC. The artillery LNO at the regimental FSCC may be designated as the FSC.
• (b) The duties of artillery LNOs include:

        1.  Advises the FSC on artillery capabilities and limitations, prepares estimates of 
            artillery supportability and requirements, and plans artillery fires to support the scheme of maneuver.
        
        2.  Participates in the preparation of the overall fire support plan by integrating the 
            coordinated artillery fire plan with the coordinated fire plans of air and naval surface fire support.
        
        3.  Transmits decisions and requirements with respect to employment of artillery to 
            the appropriate Artillery Fire Direction Center (FDC) for action.
        
        4.  Maintains an artillery situation map for posting artillery information regarding actual 
            fire support rendered, as well as potential artillery targets, and assigned missions.

(3) Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) LNO:

• (a) The NSFS LNO in the FSCC at division and higher echelons is a special staff officer (naval gunfire section) in the headquarters of the force involved. The NSFS LNO is a Marine officer and is assigned a Navy officer as assistant NSFS LNO. At the regimental level, he is a Navy officer provided by the supporting artillery battalion.
• (b) The officer who assumes the duties of the naval surface fire liaison officer, is responsible for the following:

        1.  Advises the FSC on NSFS capabilities and limitations, prepares NSFS requirements, and plans NSFS
            missions to support the scheme of maneuver.

        2.  Participates in the preparation of the overall fire support plan by integrating the coordinated NSFS plan
            with the coordinated fire plans of air and artillery.

        3.  Transmits decisions and requirements with respect to employment of NSFS to the appropriate NSFS
            control agency for action.

        4.  Maintains an NSFS situation map for posting NSFS information regarding the actual fire support
            rendered, as well as potential NSFS targets and assigned missions.

(4) Air Officer (AirO):

• (a) The AirO in the division or higher echelon FSCC is a special staff officer (air section) in the headquarters of the force involved, while at lower echelons he is an organic member of the battalion or regimental operations (S-3) section.
• (b) In addition to his liaison duties, the AirO is responsible for the following functions:

        1.  Advises the FSC on air capabilities and limitations, prepares air support requirements, and plans
            air missions to support the scheme of maneuver.

        2.  Participates in the preparation of the overall fire support plan by integrating the coordinated air fire
            plan with the coordinated fire plan of artillery and naval surface fire support.

        3.  Transmits decisions and requirements with respect to employment of air support to the appropriate
            air support control agency for action.

        4.  Coordinates air requests of lower echelons and forwards them to the next higher echelon for coordination
            , consolidation and approval; monitors the tactical air request (TAR) net in the FSCC for
            information/concurrence on immediate air strikes such as targets of opportunity.

        5.  Maintains an air support situation map for posting information regarding the actual air support rendered
            , as well as potential air support targets and assigned missions.

(5) Target Information Officer (TIO):

• (a) The TIO is normally a member of the same unit as the artillery commander and the artillery representatives to the landing force FSCC.
• (b) The TIO performs his duties under the staff cognizance of the FSC and works closely with the G/S-2 section and the G/S-3 section. The duties of the TIO include:

        1.  Informs the FSC and the other fire support representatives in the FSCC of the status of targets.

        2.  Ensures that pertinent target intelligence is posted and updated on the FSCC target and/or
            situation maps.

        3.  Prepares and maintains target card files.

        4.  Enters target attack evaluations and surveillance on the target cards.

a. Fire support coordination measures are designed to provide safeguards for friendly forces, and at the same time facilitate rapid engagement of targets. With the exception of boundaries, fire support coordination measures fall into two broad categories: permissive measures and restrictive measures.

(1) Permissive Measures

With the establishment of a permissive measure, no further coordination is required for the engagement of targets affected by the measure. In essence, the primary purpose of permissive measures is to facilitate the attack of targets.

• (a) Coordinated Fire Line (CFL)

The CFL is a line beyond which conventional surface fire support means (mortars, field artillery and naval gunfire ships) may deliver surface-to-surface fires at any time within the zone of the establishing command element, without having to coordinate those fires with maneuver units.

        1.  The purpose of the CFL is to expedite the attack of targets beyond the CFL, without regard
            to maneuver unit boundaries, and to provide the maneuver commander with an area within his zone of action
            where his troops can operate in safety from friendly artillery and naval gunfire.

        2.  The actual location of the CFL on the ground depends on the tactical situation and the intentions of
            the maneuver units.  For example, in the offense, CFLs may be located further away from friendly
            positions and several on-call CFLs would be planned.  In the defense however, the CFL would be
            located closer to the FEBA in order to open up a larger area for the attack of targets by
            surface-to-surface fires, without the requirement for further coordination.

• (b) Fire Support Coordination Line (FSCL)

The FSCL is a line beyond which all fire support means may attack targets within the zone of the establishing command element, without having to coordinate those fires with maneuver units

        1.  The purpose of the FSCL is to expedite the attack of targets beyond the FSCL, without regard to
            maneuver unit boundaries.  The difference between a CFL and an FSCL is that while a CFL is a
            permissive measure for surface-to-surface fires, an  FSCL is a permissive measure for all fire
            support means.


        2.  To facilitate recognition from the air, the FSCL should be located over well-defined terrain
            features (roads, streams, etc.).  It should be located beyond the area into which reconnaissance
            and security forces will be established.  When detached forces are deployed beyond the FSCL,
            the commander must establish another FSCL or other coordination measures to encircle these forces.

• (c) Free Fire Area (FFA)

This is a specific area into which any fire support means (including aircraft) may deliver fires without further coordination with the establishing command element.

        1  It is used to expedite the attack of targets located within the FFA, without regard to maneuver unit
           boundaries.  FFAs are also used as jettison area for unexpended ordnance.

        2  If the primary purpose of an established FFA is to facilitate the attack of targets, then its location
           will be dependent on the tactical situation.  If the primary purpose is as an ordnance jettison area
           , then its location will be dependent on the existence of a suitable area sufficiently removed from
           maneuver unit locations to ensure the safety of friendly forces.  Regardless of the purpose, the FFA
           should be located on terrain which is readily identifiable from the air, or clearly delineated by grid
           coordinates.

(2) Restrictive Measures

The establishment of a restrictive measure uses certain requests for specific coordination prior to the engagement of those targets affected by the measure. Therefore, the primary purpose of restrictive measures is to provide safeguards for friendly troops.

• (a) Restrictive Fire Line (RFL)

The RFL is a line established between converging friendly forces (one or both may be moving) that prohibits fires or effects from fires across the line without coordination with the affected force.

        1  The purpose of the RFL is to provide safety to friendly forces by regulating the fires delivered
           between converging forces.

        2  If one of the converging forces is stationary, the RFL should be established as close as possible
           to the stationary force
           in order to allow maximum freedom of action by the maneuvering force.  If both converging forces
           are maneuvering, the RFL should be located in such a fashion as to restrict each force to the
           minimum extent possible.

• (b) No Fire Area (NFA)

This is a specific area into which no fires or the effects of fires may be delivered.

        1  The purpose of the NFA is to provide a restrictive fire support coordination measure to protect
           civilian population areas and/or vital installations from the effects of friendly fires.  There are two
           exceptions to the complete prohibition of fires or their effects:

                  a  When the commander who establishes the NFA approves fires within the NFA on a
                     mission-by-mission basis.

                  b  When an enemy force within the NFA engages friendly forces, and is a major threat to friendly
                     forces, approval falls to the senior man on the scene.

        2  The actual location of an NFA on the ground will depend on the situation which requires the
           establishment of the NFA.  Key considerations are the locations of places or structures
           which need protection:  population centers, buildings of historical, aesthetic, or religious value,
           and key elements of the nation's infrastructure.

• (c) Restrictive Fire Area (RFA)

The RFA is a specific area in which specific restraints have been imposed regarding the delivery of fire support.

        1  The specific restraints which apply to a particular RFA must be clearly stated.  Perhaps the
           best way to understand the nature of these restraints is by providing a few examples:

                  a  "No fires by weapons larger than 81mm mortars."

                  b  "No cluster munitions."

                  c  "No unobserved fires."

        2  Since an RFA is often used to protect valuable installations or area from too great a degree
           of damage, the actual location of the RFA on the ground largely depends on the considerations
           involved in restricting fires into the area in the first place.

• (d) Airspace Coordination Area (ACA)

The ACA is a three dimensional block of airspace in which friendly aircraft are reasonably safe from friendly surface delivered fires. An ACA is usually referred to as either "formal" or "informal." A "formal" ACA is defined the same as earlier mentioned, that is, a three dimensional block of airspace. An "informal" ACA utilizes procedures to facilitate immediate CAS missions or routing of helicopters when the implementation time required for formal ACAs is not available.

        1  The purpose of the ACA is to act as a safety measure for friendly aircraft while allowing other
           supporting arms to continue fire in support of the maneuver force.

        2  The actual location of the ACA above the ground, is based on the tactical situation, the nature
           of the target to be attacked by air, the ingress and egress routes the aircraft will follow, the type
           of ordnance being delivered on the target, and the nature of 
           the enemy air defenses.

b. Some control measures, although not fire support coordination measures, play a role in fire support planning and coordination.

(1) Boundaries

Boundaries are used to designate the geographic limits of the zone of action of a unit. Unless otherwise restricted, a unit commander enjoys complete freedom of fire and maneuver within his own boundaries. Normally, units do not fire across boundaries unless the fires are coordinated with the adjacent unit or the fires are beyond a fire support coordination measure; e.g., a CFL.

(2) Zone of Fire

A zone of fire is an area within which a designated ground unit or fire support ship delivers, or is prepared to deliver, fire support. Fire may or may not be observed. An example of activity within a zone of fire would be a fire support station (FSS). An FSS is an exact location at sea within a fire support area from which a fire support ship delivers fire. Fire support stations are useful where maneuvering room is restricted, and usually afford increased accuracy.

(3) Amphibious Objective Area

A geographical area, delineated in the initiating directive, for purposes of command and control within which is located the objective(s) to be secured by the amphibious task force. This area must be of sufficient size to ensure accomplishment of the amphibious task force's mission and must provide sufficient area for conducting necessary sea, air, and land operations.

(4) Direct and General Support.

• (a) Direct Support. Normally an artillery battalion will be in direct support of an infantry regiment. The battalion provides observers to the regiment. The artillery battalion will answer calls from the supported regiment, then its own observers, then higher HQ.
• (b) General Support. Provides support to the force as a whole. Usually used for support of planned targets.

a. The link between the DASC and the senior FSCC is vital for coordination and integration of direct air support missions with the employment of other supporting arms, and for the expeditious processing of immediate tactical air requests and assault support requests. The fire support coordinator (FSC) within the FSCC is the final arbitrator of all supporting arms integration conflicts. The FSCC continuously provides the DASC with updates to unit boundaries and fire support coordination measures, friendly and enemy unit positions, and other prearranged data items as they are received in the FSCC. The FSCC provides the DASC with information on gun positions, gun-target lines, and gun trajectories in the vicinity of aircraft flight routes.

b. The DASC is responsible to the FSCC to provide timely information on current locations of aircraft under the control of the DASC, bomb damage assessments (BDAs), status of outstanding requests, delays or cancellations to the ATO, and pertinent intelligence data.

c. Immediate air support requests radioed directly from the requesting unit to the DASC are approved by the FSCC. Senior ground unit FSCCs monitoring the TAR/HR net may approve, disapprove, or modify the request. If the FSCC takes no action, the DASC will normally assume that "silence is consent" and the FSCC has approved the use of air assets. For purposes of confirmation or when doubt exists, the SAD in the DASC should coordinate with the air officer in the FSCC.

a. In those cases where the DASC can not physically collocate with the senior FSCC because of mobility or communications requirements with other MACCS agencies and supporting aircraft, or when it becomes necessary to coordinate with subordinate FSCC's, the DASC can provide task-organized air support liaison teams (ASLTs) to the FSCC. The ASLT is not a DASC. The employment of ASLTs serves to maintain the "face-to-face" coordination between the DASC and the FSCC.

b. The size and composition of the ASLT is determined by mission requirements, communication needs, experience level of senior FSCC personnel, and mobility of the GCE. ASLT personnel are not included in the table of organization of the MASS.

REFERENCES:

FMFM 2-7, Fire Support in MAGTF Operations

JP 1-02, DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms

JP 3-09.3, Joint Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for Close Air Support

JP 3-30, Command and Control of Joint Air Operations

MCWP 3-1, Ground Combat Operations

MCWP 3-16, Fire Support Coordination in the GCE

MCWP 3-25, Control of Aircraft and Missiles