FM 17-98 SCOUT PLATOON

• Scatterable mines. These include area denial munitions for use against personnel and remote antiarmor mines
for use against armored vehicles. When an FA battery is firing a scatterable mines mission, it is not available for
other fire missions. Scatterable mines require slightly more lead time than do other FA-delivered munitions.
FIRE DIRECTION ASSETS
Fire support team
The FIST is attached to company teams or troops for combat operations; it may be pushed forward with the scout
platoon in support of security operations when on-target designation is required for special munitions engagements.
The FIST’s command and control link with the artillery makes it a valuable resource; it should not be exposed to
direct fire except when absolutely necessary. The FIST is organized, equipped, and trained to provide the following:
• A fire support advisor and coordinator.
• A communications link to all available fire support assets.
The armor or mechanized infantry company team FIST normally monitors the following radio nets:
• Attached unit command net (battalion, company team, or scout platoon).
• Battalion mortar fire direction net.
• DS battalion fire direction net (digital).
• Battalion fire support net (voice).
The armored cavalry troop FIST normally monitors the following radio nets:
• Troop command net.
• Troop fire support net.
• Supporting artillery fire direction net (digital and voice).
• Squadron fire support net.
The FIST serves as the NCS on the troop fire support net. The FSE serves as the NCS on the maneuver battalion fire
support net. The FIST relays the call for fire to supporting artillery on a digital net (IFSAS) or sends the fire mission to
the mortar platoon or section. The command net allows the FIST to monitor unit operations and links the FIST to the
commander and platoon leaders for planning and coordination.
Combat observation lasing team
Requests for indirect fire can also be sent through the COLT, which has a secondary mission of processing these
requests for the scouts. The COLT monitors the scout platoon net and handles the fire request and subsequent
adjustments in the same manner as a normal FIST. It can enter the information gained through its primary mission,
lasing targets for Copperhead rounds and close air support (CAS), directly into IFSAS channels.
Three COLTs are organic to each DS FA battalion and to the howitzer battery of the armored cavalry squadron. The
cavalry squadron has one organic COLT. From company/troop to brigade level, a COLT is placed under the control of
a fire support coordinator to enhance the lasing capability of the FIST and to function as a dedicated observation
platform (see Figure 6-1). When pushed forward with the scouts, the COLT should collocate with one of the scout
platoon OPs for local security and protection.