1. MASTER GUNNER COURSE
FIRE COMMANDS 1

2. MASTER GUNNER COURSE
FIRE COMMANDS
COMBAT
GUNNERY 2

3. T.L.O -- ISSUE A FIRE COMAND ACTION: ISSUE A FIRE COMMAND
FIRE COMMANDS
T.L.O -- ISSUE A FIRE COMAND
ACTION: ISSUE A FIRE COMMAND
CONDITION: GIVEN A SCENARIO, PENCIL, PAPER, AND FM
STANDARD: ISSUE A FIRE COMMAND IAW 3

4. EVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
FIRE COMMANDS
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
RISK ASSESSMENT LEVEL
EVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION 4

5. FIRE COMMANDS
EVALUATION: THE PERFORMANCE OF ISSUING A FIRE COMMAND WILL BE EVALUATED WITH A 20 QUESTION WRITTEN EXAMINATION ( IAW FM ) YOU MUST RECEIVE A MINIMUM OF 80%. YOU CANNOT TEST OUT OF THIS SUBJECT. THE TEST WILL BE GIVEN IAW THE TRAINING CALENDAR 5

6. YESTERDAY YOU WERE TAUGHT ABOUT THE ACQUISITION PROCESS, ENGAGEMENT DECISION, AND ENGAGEMENT EXECUTION. TODAY YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT THE ELEMENTS OF A FIRE COMMAND, THE TYPES OF FIRE COMMANDS, AND WHAT IT TAKES TO ISSUE A FIRE COMMAND. THIS LEADS ME TO MY FIRST E.L.O… 6

7. ACTION: List the seven elements of a fire command
FIRE COMMANDS
ACTION: List the seven elements of a fire command
CONDITION: In a classroom environment given a scenario, paper, pencil, and FM
STANDARD: The student must correctly list the seven elements of a fire command, IAW FM 7

8. THEY ARE THE LANGUAGE OF GUNNERY
WHAT ARE FIRE COMMANDS?
THEY ARE THE LANGUAGE OF GUNNERY 8

9. 7 ELEMENTS OF A FIRE COMMAND
ALERT
WEAPON/AMMUMITION
DESCRIPTION
DIRECTION
RANGE
EXECUTION
TERMINATION 9

10. ALERT – alerts the crew of an immediate engagement and who will conduct the engagement10

11. FIRE COMMAND TERMS ALERT 4 “Gunner” “Left Bank” “Right Bank Rear Bank”11

12. WEAPONS/AMMUNITION---is used for selection of the type of weapon and ammunition that is to be used12

13. Weapon/Ammunition Announced As
25mm HEI-T/TP-T HE
25mm APDS-T/APFSDS-T/TPDS-T SABOT
M240C Coax Coax
TOW Missile
*When firing with only TP-T or TPDS-T, announce the type of ammunition TP-T of TPDS-T is simulating (SABOT or HE). 13

14. DECRIPTION – Identifies the target for the crew
DECRIPTION – Identifies the target for the crew. If there are multiple targets, The BC tells the crew which to engage first 14

15. DESCRIPTION Type of Target Announced As Tank or Tank-like Target Tank
BFV / APC PC
Unarmored Vehicle Truck
Helicopter Chopper
Fixed-wing Aircraft Plane
Personnel Troops
Machine Gun Machine Gun
Anti-tank Gun or Missile Anti-tank
Any Other Target Briefest Term 15

16. DIRECTION – is given to guide the gunner when the BC cannot lay the weapon for direction or elevation 16

17. TRAVERSE – Is used when targets are outside the gunner’s field of view and the BC cannot, or chooses not to, lay the gun for direction.
SHIFT – Is used when two or more targets are visible at the same time through the ISU. 17

18. REFERENCE POINT AND DEFLECTION – The reference point must be easily recognized by the gunner. The BC uses his bino’s to measure the deflection from the reference point to the target and announces the necessary shift.
(example the command might be REFERENCE POINT BRIDGE, RIGHT THREE ZERO) the gunner lays the reticule of the sight on the reference point,estimates 30 mils, traverses right 30 mils and tries to id the target. 18

19. RANGE CARD DATA – during limited visibility conditions the BC cannot see the target, he uses the range card data to give the gunner the deflection, elevation, and range.
Example, the BC uses the deflection from the range card and commands DEFLECTION. The gunner lays the turret for direction using the turret azimuth ring and repeats the deflection reading to the BC. The BC then uses the elevation from the range card and commands ELEVATION. The gunner, using the gun elevation indicator and pointer, lays the weapon for elevation and repeats the elevation reading to the BC. Then, the BC uses the range setting from the range card and commands RANGE. The gunner indexes the range and repeats it to the BC. 19

20. RANGE – Informs the gunner of the range to select
RANGE – Informs the gunner of the range to select. It is also used with the ODS vehicle when the BELRF reports errors
RANGE is announced in 200-meter increments, corresponding to the setting on the range control knob. If the range is an odd number, it’s rounded off to the lower hundred meter range 20

21. RANGE Range Announced As 800 meters Eight Hundred OR Eight
1200 meters One Two Hundred OR Twelve
2000 meters Two Thousand OR Twenty
*On M2A2 ODS and A3 vehicles, if the gunner determines range using the BELRF, it is not necessary for the BC to announce the range. 21

22. EXECUTION -- Once the crew responds to the first five elements, the BC gives the sixth element. Before the execution element, the BC reconfirms the target as hostile.
*There are three terms. 22

23. EXECUTION
Fire – tells the gunner to fire the weapon when he has completed his crew duties and has the correct sight picture
At My Command – This term is used when a target must be killed at specific location, or more than one vehicle must shoot at the same time
From My Position – If the gunner is unable to identify or engage the desired target, The BC will engage the target. 23

24. TERMINATION – Informs the crew when to stop firing or shift to another target in a multiple engagement. 24

25. Terminates the engagement
TERMINATION
Cease Fire
Terminates the engagement
Cease Tracking
Terminates a missile engagement 25

26. RESPONSE
Commander or Gunner must use these terms in response to the fire command 26

27. RESPONSE
Identified – This is used when the gunner informs the BC that he has located the target
Cannot Identify – Used when the gunner informs the BC that he cannot Identify the target
Cannot Engage – Used when the gunner can identify the target, but is unable to conduct the engagement.
On the Way – Used to inform all crew members that a weapon is being fired, alerting them to observe the round 27

28. FIRE COMMAND TERMS REPEAT and CORRECTION Repeat Terms
If a crew member fails to hear or understand a part of the fire command, he announces the element in question (example , if the gunner says AMMO, the BC repeats only the ammunition or weapon element).
Correct Terms
To correct an error in a fire command, the BC commands CORRECTION and corrects only the element in error. 28

29. FIRE COMMAND METHODS
Precision and Battlesight are two basic types of fire commands. The precision fire command is the most accurate method to engage a target. The Battlesight fire command is the fastest method to engage a target for the basic A2 Bradley models.
* ODS and A3 use the BELRF to determine range and use a precision fire command. 29

30. ACTION: Issue a precision, battlesight, and a multiple fire command
CONDITION: Given a scenario, paper, pencil, and FM
STANDARDS: You will verbally issue a correct precision and battlesight fire command 30

31. PRECISION FIRE COMMANDS
Purpose
Used in the defense.
Time is used to lay the weapons on target, determine range, issue the fire command, and adjust the fire control system..
Advantages
Crew has time to accurately determine range, increasing the probability of a first round hit. 31

32. PRECISION FIRE COMMANDS
Example #1
ELEMENT COMMANDER GUNNER
ALERT “Gunner”
WEAPON/AMMUNITION “Sabot”
DESCRIPTION “PC”
DIRECTION (optional) “Traverse Left”
RANGE “One Six Hundred”
“Identified”
EXECUTION “Fire”
“On the Way”
TERMINATION “Cease Fire” 32

33. PRECISION FIRE COMMANDS
Example #2
ELEMENT COMMANDER GUNNER
ALERT “Gunner”
WEAPON/AMMUNITION “Coax”
DESCRIPTION “Troops”
DIRECTION (optional)
RANGE “Six Hundred”
“Identified”
EXECUTION “Fire”
“On the Way”
TERMINATION “Cease Fire” 33

34. PRECISION FIRE COMMANDS
Example #3
ELEMENT COMMANDER GUNNER
ALERT “Gunner”
WEAPON/AMMUNITION “Sabot”
DESCRIPTION “PC”
DIRECTION (optional)
RANGE “Range”
“Identified”
“One Four Hundred”
EXECUTION “Fire”
“On the Way”
TERMINATION “Cease Fire” 34

35. PRECISION FIRE COMMANDS (ODS)
Example #4
ELEMENT COMMANDER GUNNER
ALERT “Gunner”
WEAPON/AMMUNITION “Sabot”
DESCRIPTION “PC”
DIRECTION (optional)
RANGE
“Identified”
“One Four Hundred”
EXECUTION “Fire”
“On the Way”
TERMINATION “Cease Fire”
NOTE: The gunners response of “Identified” informs the BC that the gunner has received a range and discriminated the target. 35

36. PRECISION FIRE COMMANDS (ODS)
Example #5
ELEMENT COMMANDER GUNNER
ALERT “Gunner”
WEAPON/AMMUNITION “Sabot”
DESCRIPTION “PC”
DIRECTION (optional)
“Range”
RANGE “One Two Hundred”
“Identified”
EXECUTION “Fire”
“On the Way”
TERMINATION “Cease Fire”
NOTE: The gunner did not receive a reliable range reading. 36

37. PRECISION FIRE COMMANDS (ODS)
Example #6
ELEMENT COMMANDER GUNNER
ALERT “Gunner”
WEAPON/AMMUNITION “Sabot”
DESCRIPTION “PC”
DIRECTION (optional)
RANGE
“Identified Friend”
EXECUTION
TERMINATION “Cease Fire” 37

38. If the BELRF returns an error code or receives a multiple return, the gunner tries to lase on the target again. If this does not eliminate the problem, the gunner announces RANGE. This requires either the BC or gunner to apply range determination procedures, and the gunner to induce range manually into the fire control system 38

39. BATTLESIGHT FIRE COMMANDS
PURPOSE
Used in the offense, when speed is a necessity.
ADVANTAGES
The word “Battlesight” replaces both the weapon /ammunition and range elements of the fire command.
Gives crews the opportunity to fire before the threat.
The target description identifies which battlecarry ammunition and range to use
EXAMPLE: PC = sabot, 1200 meters
Truck = HE, meters
Troops = Coax, 600 meters 39

40. BATTLESIGHT FIRE COMMAND
Example #1
ELEMENT COMMANDER GUNNER
ALERT “Gunner”
WEAPON/AMMUNITION “Battlesight”
DESCRIPTION “PC”
DIRECTION (optional) “Traverse Right”
RANGE
“Identified”
EXECUTION “Fire”
“On the Way”
TERMINATION “Cease Fire” 40

41. BATTLESIGHT FIRE Example #2 ELEMENT COMMANDER GUNNER ALERT “Gunner”
WEAPON/AMMUNITION “Battlesight”
DESCRIPTION “Troops”
DIRECTION (optional)
RANGE
“Identified”
EXECUTION “Fire”
“On the Way”
TERMINATION “Cease Fire” 41

42. Crews can quickly transition from one target to the next.
MULTIPLE FIRE COMMAND
Purpose
Allow crews to engage multiple targets quickly, without giving separate precision or battlesight fire commands.
Advantage
Crews can quickly transition from one target to the next.
* Speed and accuracy are required to suppress or destroy all targets. 42

43. MULTIPLE BATTLESIGHT FIRE COMMAND (Example 1)
ELEMENT COMMANDER GUNNER
ALERT “Gunner”
WEAPON/AMMUNITION “Battlesight”
DESCRIPTION “Two PCs, left PC”
DIRECTION (optional)
RANGE
“Identified”
EXECUTION “Fire”
“On The Way”
TERMINATION “Cease Fire”
DESCRIPTION “Right PC” 43

44. MULTIPLE BATTLESIGHT FIRE COMMAND (Example 2)
ELEMENT COMMANDER GUNNER
ALERT “Gunner”
WEAPON/AMMUNITION “Battlesight”
DESCRIPTION “PC and Troops, PC”
DIRECTION (optional)
RANGE
“Identified”
EXECUTION “Fire”
“On The Way”
TERMINATION “Cease Fire”
DESCRIPTION “Troops” 44

45. MULTIPLE BATTLESIGHT FIRE COMMAND (Example 3)
ELEMENT COMMANDER GUNNER
ALERT “Gunner”
WEAPON/AMMUNITION “Missile”
DESCRIPTION “Tank and PC, Tank”
DIRECTION (optional)
RANGE
“Identified”
EXECUTION “Fire”
“On The Way”
TERMINATION “Cease Tracking”
WEAPON/AMMUNITION “Sabot”
DESCRIPTION “PC”
RANGE “One Two Hundred”
DIRECTION (optional) “Shift Left”
EXECUTION Fire”
TERMINATION “Cease Fire” 45

46. SUBSEQUENT FIRE COMMANDS
ACTION: State the purpose of a Subsequent Fire Command
CONDITION: Given a scenario, paper, pencil, and FM
STANDARDS: Student must gain the knowledge so that he can explain the purpose of a Subsequent Fire Command 46

47. SUBSEQUENT FIRE COMMAND
PURPOSE
Directs the fires of the selected weapon, sustain and control, the engagement until the target is destroyed, and ends the engagement. 47

48. SUBSEQUENT FIRE COMMAND
ALERT: BC announces observation as the alert (SHORT, DOUBTFUL)
RANGE CORRECTION: BC instructs the gunner to either add or subtract range.
DEFLECTION CORRECTION:BC instructs the gunner to either adjust left or right, using mils of target forms.
EXECUTION:BC completes the subsequent fire command with the command of execution.
*alert and execution are required 48

49. ACTION: List the required elements of a Tow Fire Command
TOW FIRE COMMANDS
ACTION: List the required elements of a Tow Fire Command
CONDITION: Given a scenario, paper, pencil, and an FM
STANDARDS: The student must gain the knowledge so that he can list the required elements of a Tow Fire Command 49

50. ELEMENT COMMANDER GUNNER ALERT “Gunner” WEAPON/AMMUNITION “Missile”
TOW FIRE COMMAND
Purpose
Used to engage threat armor, light armor, or helicopters beyond the range of 25mm Sabot ammunition.
ELEMENT COMMANDER GUNNER
ALERT “Gunner”
WEAPON/AMMUNITION “Missile”
DESCRIPTION “Tank”
DIRECTION (optional)
RANGE
“Identified”
EXECUTION Fire”
“On The Way”
TERMINATION “Cease Tracking” 50

51. FIRING PORT WEAPON FIRE COMMAND
Who issues the fire command?
The BC or FPW gunner identifies a target and issues a fire command. 51

52. PLATOON/SCOUT SECTION FIRE COMMANDS
ACTION: List the eight elements of a Platoon Fire Command
CONDITION: Given a scenario, paper, pencil, and an FM
STANDARDS: The student must gain the knowledge so that he can list the eight elements of a Platoon Fire Command IAW FM 52

53. INFANTRY PLATOON/SCOUT SECTION
FIRE COMMANDS
Used when time to plan and prepare is limited (meeting engagement or movement to contact).
Fire commands standardized by unit SOP.
Plt. Fire commands are based on knowledge of the enemy and time available to plan, prepare, and rehearse. 53

54. INFANTRY PLATOON/SCOUT SECTION FIRE COMMANDS
Two process to control fires:
Fire commands
Fire Planning 54

55. INFANTRY PLATOON/SCOUT SECTION
FIRE COMMANDS
ALERT “Red, this is Red Six”
WEAPON/AMMUNITION(optional) “TOW”
DESCRIPTION “Four tanks and three BMPs”
LOCATION (optional) “East of TRP zero zero four.”
RANGE (optional) “Two four hundred”
CONTROL (optional) “Depth”
EXECUTION “At my command”
TERMINATION “Cease Fire” 55

56. T.L.O. ISSUE A FIRE COMMAND
SUMMARY
T.L.O. ISSUE A FIRE COMMAND
During the past three hours, we have discussed the 7 elements of a fire command, the types of fire commands, and what you need to issue a fire command. Do you have any questions?? 56

57. 7 ELEMENTS OF A FIRE COMMAND
REVIEW
7 ELEMENTS OF A FIRE COMMAND
ALERT
WEAOPON/AMMO
DECRIPTIONS
DIRECTION
RANGE
EXECUTION
TERMINATION 57

58. HOW MENY ALERT TERMS ARE THERE? 4 GUNNER LEFT BANK RIGHT BANK
REVIEW
HOW MENY ALERT TERMS ARE THERE? 4
GUNNER
LEFT BANK
RIGHT BANK
REAR BANK 58

59. HOW MANY DIRECTION TERMS ARE THERE? 4
REVIEW
HOW MANY DIRECTION TERMS ARE THERE? 4
TRAVERSE
SHIFT
REFERENCE POINT AND DEFLECTION
RANGE CARD DATA 59

60. REVIEW RANGE IS ANNOUNCED IN HOW MANY METER INCREMENTS? 200 METER
IF THE RANGE IS AN ODD NUMBER (EXAMPLE 1750 METERS) IS IT ROUNDED UP OR DOWN,AND TO WHAT NUMBER?
DOWN TO THE LOWER EVEN HUNDERD METER 1600 METERS 60

61. HOW MANY EXECUTION TERMS ARE THERE, AND NAME THEM?
REVIEW
HOW MANY EXECUTION TERMS ARE THERE, AND NAME THEM?
At My Command – This term is used when a target must be killed at specific location, or more than one vehicle must shoot at the same time
Fire – tells the gunner to fire the weapon when he has completed his crew duties and has the correct sight picture
From My Position – If the gunner is unable to identify or engage the desired target, The BC will engage the target. 61

62. NAME THE TWO TERMINATION TERMS, AND WHAT THAY DO?
REVIEW
NAME THE TWO TERMINATION TERMS, AND WHAT THAY DO?
CEASE FIRE
CEASE TRACKING 62

63. NAME ALL THE RESPONSE TERMS
REVIEW
NAME ALL THE RESPONSE TERMS
IDENTIFIED – LOCATED TARGET
CANNOT IDENTIFY – CANNOT ID TARGET
CANNOT ENGAGE – CAN ID ,BUT NOT ENGAGE
ON THE WAY – WEAPON BEING FIRED OBSERVE ROUND 63

64. REVIEW WHAT IS PURPOSE OF A SUBSEQUENT FIRE COMMAND?
DIRECTS THE FIRES OF THE SLECTED WEAPON ,SUSTAIN AND CONTROL, THE ENGAGEMENT UNTIL THE TARGET IS DESTROYED, AND ENDS THE ENGAGEMENT.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED ELEMENTS OF A SUBSQUENT FIRE COMMAND?
ALERT AND EXECUTION 64

65. REVIEW
Good luck 65