FM 3-19.4 - Army Electronic Publications & Forms - U.S. Army

FM 3-19.4
controlledbytheAirForcethroughtheTacticalAir
Control System.
3-85. Air Force support is directed through a forward air
controller who, in turn, talks to the pilots. The controller
can be in an aircraft or operating on the ground. In most
cases, the controller will come forward to a point where
he can see the target. Once the target is in sight, he can
adjust the aircraft to the target. If the controller cannot
see the target, the observer will have to tell him how it
can be identified. The observer must make sure that the
controller knows where all the friendly elements close to
the target are located.
3-86. If the observer is unable to talk to a forward air
controller, he must contact a fire-support team operating
in the maneuver area. Fire support teams have the
equipment to talk directly to the pilots of the aircraft
andaretrainedobserversforCAS.
Mark Friendly Positions
3-87. Friendly positions are marked during close air
strikes if there is no danger of compromise to enemy
observers. This may require only a message (such as "All
friendly positions are south of the target. Nearest are
500 meters."). As a rule, a mark is usually necessary
when friendly troops are within 300 meters of the target.
Marking of friendly positions may be overt or covert and
include the following:
• Weapons fire. Weapons fire is useful as a signal
if it is distinguishable from other types of fire.
Tracers are especially useful.
• Smoke. Smoke grenades are the most commonly
used overt marker, but they have limitations.
Wind may move the smoke away from the
source. Red and white smoke show up well with
most backgrounds while some colors blend with
their background.
3-38 Shoot, Move, and Communicate