MASTER GUNNER COURSE FIRE COMMANDS 1

MASTER GUNNER COURSE FIRE COMMANDS COMBAT GUNNERY 2

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 3-22.1 STANDARD: ISSUE A FIRE COMMAND IAW 3-22.1 3

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

FIRE COMMANDS EVALUATION: THE PERFORMANCE OF ISSUING A FIRE COMMAND WILL BE EVALUATED WITH A 20 QUESTION WRITTEN EXAMINATION ( IAW FM 3-22.1 ) YOU MUST RECEIVE A MINIMUM OF 80%. YOU CANNOT TEST OUT OF THIS SUBJECT. THE TEST WILL BE GIVEN IAW THE TRAINING CALENDAR 5

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

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 3-22.1 STANDARD: The student must correctly list the seven elements of a fire command, IAW FM 3-22.1 7

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ACTION: Issue a precision, battlesight, and a multiple fire command CONDITION: Given a scenario, paper, pencil, and FM 3-22.1 STANDARDS: You will verbally issue a correct precision and battlesight fire command 30

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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, 800 meters Troops = Coax, 600 meters 39

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

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

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

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

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

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

SUBSEQUENT FIRE COMMANDS ACTION: State the purpose of a Subsequent Fire Command CONDITION: Given a scenario, paper, pencil, and FM 3-22.1 STANDARDS: Student must gain the knowledge so that he can explain the purpose of a Subsequent Fire Command 46

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

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

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 3-22.1 STANDARDS: The student must gain the knowledge so that he can list the required elements of a Tow Fire Command 49

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

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

PLATOON/SCOUT SECTION FIRE COMMANDS ACTION: List the eight elements of a Platoon Fire Command CONDITION: Given a scenario, paper, pencil, and an FM 3-22.1 STANDARDS: The student must gain the knowledge so that he can list the eight elements of a Platoon Fire Command IAW FM 3-22.1 52

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

REVIEW Good luck 65