Field ArTillery - US Army Center Of Military History

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298 The OrganizaTiOnal hisTOry Of field arTillery Tactical fire direction system, commonly known as TACFIRE with the same basic software, was fielded and used in the light divisions. Another development was the lightweight computer unit, designed with a removable hard disk drive and a multiple software capability ranging from the initial fire-support automation system (IFSAS) to the battery computer system to the MLRS fire direction system. Unfortunately the lightweight computer unit and the forward entry devices used by forward observers were not user friendly and required extensive training. As more sophisticated data had to be computed, the Army realized that the IFSAS could not perform all the necessary functions. Its replacement came in 1995, when the Army introduced the advanced field artillery tactical data system (AFATDS) to the field. 35 While the organization of the divisional target acquisition batteries and the adoption of TACFIRE were to improve artillery effectiveness of artillery, another aspect of acquiring targets and adjusting fire was undergoing close scrutiny. Officers at the Field Artillery School became increasingly concerned about the size 35 Eric C. Ludvigsen, “Lifting the Fog of War,” Army, July 1972, pp. 30–35; “Army Weaponry,” pp. 439; “The Journal Interviews . . . MG Albert B. Crawford,” Field Artillery Journal, July-August 1975, pp. 38–41; John E. Martin, “TACFIRE,” ibid., January-February 1979, pp. 8–13; Edward D. Ray, “TACFIRE,” ibid., May-June 1979, pp. 54–57; Forrest G. Clark, “TACFIRE and the Maneuver Commander,” January-February 1981, pp. 14–16; Note to letter “Getting Fired Up About Fire Support Computers,” ibid., May-June 1985, p. 7; Henry D. Urna, “AFATDS,” ibid., May-June 1987, pp. 32–33; “AFATDS Update,” ibid., March-April 1998, p. 34. Fielding of AFATDS is scheduled for completion by 2007.
mOdernizaTiOn effOrTs 299 and composition of the forward observer sections. Three basic problems confronted them. First, the company sectors on the modern battlefield had grown increasingly wider, much wider than had been the case when forward observer sections were first instituted. This increase in frontage made it extremely difficult for the forward observer to locate targets across an entire company front. Second, the trans portation for the forward observer was a 1/4-ton truck, and third, the new equipment being developed for the forward observer threatened to encumber the small section even further. In addition, the probable absence of air observers (because of the air defense threat posed by the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact nations) added to the duties of ground observers. After looking at avail able resources to expand the capability and transportation of the section, the officers noted that infantry mortar sections had their forward observers opera ting in infantry pla toons on a dedi cated radio net and that a considerable number of armored personnel carriers were being used for purposes other than the transportation of mechan ized infantry units. These observations led school commandant Maj. Gen. David E. Ott to ask TRADOC commander General William E. Depuy in June 1975 to establish a group to study the problems of forward observers. In response, General Depuy directed Fort Sill to head the effort and provided members from other service schools and activities. 36 The study group developed the concept of a fire-support team (FIST), consisting of an artillery officer (a lieutenant) and enlisted observers. The lieutenant, who would control and direct the observers, was to be trained in close air support direction together with his key sergeant; the observers, who would work with platoons (except tank platoons), were to be trained in the adjustment of all types of indirect fire, both mortars and field pieces. 37 A new field artillery military occupation specialty—fire support—was to be created to incorporate the enlisted observers as well as the fire-support section person nel. The group tested the FIST concept at Fort Sill in Septem ber 1975, and between February and March 1976, the 3d Armored Division planned, pre pared, and executed a battalion-level field test. The advantages of the proposed FIST structure were integration (fire-support troops became part of the maneuver forces, less the field artillery officers attached from the direct-support battalions), stability (each company was supported by a FIST, and each maneuver battalion by a fire-support element), professionalism (specialists were present at each fire planning echelon), flexi bi lity (the FIST provided enough personnel and equipment to organize fire support according to specific tasks), and coverage (sufficient observers for the reconnaissance squadron and extra maneuver battal ions). 38 On 1 November 1976, TRADOC assigned FIST and fire-support sections to the divisional and brigade field artillery battalions, and on 27 June 1977, Vice Chief 36 Close Support Study Group Final Rpt, 21 Nov 75, copy in FA School files; David E. Ott, “Forward Observations,” Field Artillery Journal, May-June 1976, p. 6; Paul F. Pearson, “FIST!,” ibid., May-June 1976, pp. 7–8; Joseph J. Rozmeski, “FISTs of Fury,” ibid., January-February 1983, pp. 9–11; David H. Petraeus, Damian P. Carr, and John C. Abercrombie, “Why We Need FIST,” ibid., May-June 1999, pp. 3–5. 37 Ott, “Forward Observations,” p. 6; Rozmeski, “FISTs of Fury,” pp. 9–11. 38 Pearson, “FIST!,” pp. 7–12; “FIST! Responses,” Field Artillery Journal, July-August 1976, pp. 16–21, 33.
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The Organizational History of Field
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Civil War Flag (nonregulation), wit
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-P
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FOREWORD The Organizational History
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used to defend fixed positions. Thi
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CONTENTS Chapter Page 1. THE BEGINN
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Chapter xv Page ABBREVIATIONS AND A
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Chapter xvii Page Sound-ranging equ
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Field Artillery 1775-2003
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4 The OrganizaTiOnal hisTOry Of fie
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10 The OrganizaTiOnal hisTOry Of fi
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Regimental Staff Table 3—Artiller
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Battle of Palo Alto by Klauprecht &
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Table 6—Standard Field Pieces Use
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Table 8—Artillery Organization, A
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Table 9—Artillery Organization, A
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CHAPTER 4 Diverging Missions Betwee
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diverging missiOns tactics for infa
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diverging missiOns possibili ties o
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diverging missiOns The Gatling Guns
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diverging missiOns of War William C
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diverging missiOns high-angle fire
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Table 10—Artillery Organization,
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diverging missiOns Artillery in act
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diverging missiOns Artillery in act
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diverging missiOns Although neglect
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Direct Fire Gun A Aiming Point Diag
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100 The OrganizaTiOnal hisTOry Of f
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126 THE ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY OF F
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Table 11—Field Artillery Pieces R
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Table 12—Field Artillery Transpor
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CHAPTER 7 World War II Developments
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wOrld war ii 159 blow, and the thir
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wOrld war ii L-4 from the 29th Infa
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wOrld war ii 163 authorized six 105
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wOrld war ii Airborne troops loadin
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wOrld war ii 167 artillery battalio
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wOrld war ii Table 16—Principal A
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wOrld war ii Table 17—Nondivision
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wOrld war ii Destroyer Training Cen
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Firing 4.5-inch rockets in the Hür
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wOrld war ii 177 of division artil
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wOrld war ii 179 the for mer was pr
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wOrld war ii 15th Field Artillery O
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wOrld war ii as well, passed missio
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wOrld war ii 185 photographs), and
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wOrld war ii 187 After nearly six y
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CHAPTER 9 The Nuclear Arena The Kor
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The nUclear arena 211 time that rad
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The nUclear arena Honest John rocke
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The nUclear arena Corporal missile
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The nUclear arena 217 and firepower
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The nUclear arena 219 In light of n
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The nUclear arena 221 the missile c
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The nUclear arena Lacrosse missile
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The nUclear arena 225 cost over $10
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The nUclear arena his proposal the
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The nUclear arena Little John rocke
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The nUclear arena 231 fire it withi
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The nUclear arena 233 for rapid che
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The nUclear arena Lance missile 235
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The nUclear arena 237 By the end of
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The nUclear arena 239 In the late 1
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Table 23—Field Artillery Rockets
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CHAPTER 10 The Road to Flexible Res
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The rOad TO fleXiBle resPOnse 245 a
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Field ArTillery - US Army Center Of Military History

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