Call For Fire (CFF) Instruction Outline For 1-82 CAV Squadron Spur Ride

JANUARY 8, 2011 IDT

Call For Fire (CFF) Instruction Outline

Administrative Data
Safety: None

Risk: Low

Environmental: None

Evaluation: Informal Quizzes throughout Instruction

Terminal Learning Objective

Action: Request and Adjust Indirect Fire

Condition: In a classroom environment (utilizing a 4 X 2 White Board or

Butcher Block Paper, and black, red and blue markers) given a 1
hour block of instruction on Call For Fire and Successive
Bracketing.

Standard: Request and Adjust Indirect fires. At a minimum student must use
observer identification, warning order, target location, and target
description and adjust the rounds using mil-relation formula and
the successive bracketing technique with in 50 meters of target.
IAW FM 3-09.30 (6-30).

SECTION 1
SUMMARY OF SQUADRON SPUR
RIDE CFF EVENT
SECTION 2
CALL FOR FIRE (CFF)
During the CFF Event you will be utilizing the call INTRODUCTION
for fire simulator. One Soldier at a time with utilize The Six Elements of the CFF
the CFF format in order to bring EFFECTS Essential Optional
(neutralize or destroy) on enemy targets. All other
1. Observer 5. Method of
soldiers not firing will identify enemy and friendly
Identification Engagement
vehicles presented on printed pictures.
2. Warning Order
The CFF standards for the event are: 6. Method of Fire and
3. Target Location Control
1. Occupy net
2. EFFECTS successfully brought to enemy 4. Target Description
target (meaning DESTROYED) within 5
adjustments.
3. Exit net

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Call For Fire (CFF) Instruction Outline For 1-82 CAV Squadron Spur Ride
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The Three Transmissions of the CFF

Example of Three Transmissions of the CFF 1. Observer Identification
1. PEGASUS 3 de 1st Transmission
2. Warning Order
SHOCKER 13
1st Transmission
2. ADJUST FIRE, 2nd Transmission 3. Target Location
POLAR, k
3. DIS 2000 M, DIR 1800 4. Target Description
2nd Transmission
MILS, k 3rd Transmission 5. Method of Engagement
4. 3 T72s, DUG IN, 6. Method of Fire and Control
rd
3 Transmission 5. ICM IN EFFECT • YOU this is ME, AF, over
6. WHEN READY
After you send first transmission insure the FDC
reads back your first transmission verbatim. If the
FDC does not correctly reads back your first
FIRST TRANSMISSION transmission, interrupt the FDC by saying
CORRECTION and resent your transmission
The First Transmission is a combination of the starting at the mission type, example:
Observer Identification and Warning Order. • Observers Transmission: H12 (FDC) this is
Remember, before initiating a CFF make sure the E45 (Observer), AF, POLAR, Over
Fire Direction Control (FDC) is tracking your • FDC Transmission: E45 this is H12, FFE,
position utilizing the Military GRID Reference P…
System. DO NOT SEND YOU LOCATION IN
• Observer Transmission Correcting FDC:
THE CFF FORMAT. CORRECTION, AF, POLAR, over
• FDC Transmission after Correction: AF,
Warning Order
POLAR, Out
Types of Method of
Types of Missions
Location CORRECTIONS will be similar for the other
1. Adjust Fire 1. Grid transmission when the FDC read backs your
2. Fire For Effect 2. Polar transmission.
3. Immediate
3. Shift from Known Also, if you make a mistake during your
4. Suppression Smoke Point transmission you will transmit CORRECTION then
5. Suppression resend your transmission starting prior to your
mistake.
For the Spur Ride you will only be utilizing the
ADJUST FIRE and FIRE FOR EFFECT mission SECOND TRANSMISSION
types, and GRID or POLAR methods of Location. The Second Transmission is utilities in order to tell
the FDC the targets location. The FDC will accept
When you initiate your CFF, use ADJUST FIRE GRID and POLAR COORDINATES, and SHIFT
until you have completed successive bracketing. FROM KNOW POINT. You will NOT use SHIFT
Once your adjusting round is within 100 M from FROM KNOW POINT for the Spur Ride.
your target then you will transmit your last
adjustment with FFE. When sending your target’s location to the FDC use
the following standards:
A POLAR mission will be the easiest of observes • A GRID COORDINATE is sent with a
unfamiliar with CFF procedures. Example below of map identifier first then a minimum of 6 or
POLAR 1st transmission: a maximum of 10 digits. Example: GRID
• YOU this is ME, AF, POLAR, over HS 56830145, k
A GRID mission is a standard mission for artillery • A POLAR COORDINATE is sent in the
and mortars; it is not stated in the warning order. following order: Direction (in increments of
Example below of POLAR 1st transmission: 10) and Distance to TGT for your location

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Call For Fire (CFF) Instruction Outline For 1-82 CAV Squadron Spur Ride
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(in increments of 100). Example: DIR
(Direction) 5450 DIS (Distance) 3200, k
When sending your direction in POLAR missions
use the following standards:
• Direction is measured from Observer to
Target.
• Mils (not degrees)
• Round to Nearest 10 Mils. Example: 1222
mils is rounded to 1220.
• Say 4 Digits when using Mils. Example:
0070 is said “Zero, Zero, Seven, Zero,
Mils.”
THIRD TRANSMISSION
The Third Transmission is comprised of Target
Identification, Method of Engagement, and Method
of Fire and Control. This transmission informs the
FDC what target you want to EFFECT, how you
want to EFFECT the target and when you want
EFFECTS utilized. In this transmission the FDC
will compare your CFF to their SOPs, guidence and
what EFFECTS (ammunition) is available for FDC
to use.
Utilize ‘SNAP’ to send Target Identification. It
insures you sent a quick but informative description
to the FDC in order to bring the appropriate
EFFECTS to your target.
Method of Engagement is where you tell the FDC
how to EFFECT your target. During the Spur Ride
you will most likely use DANGER CLOSE and/or
AMMUNITION REQUEST is your CFF.
DANGER CLOSE is 600m from Observer or
nearest friendly Troops to Target (when using Field
Artillery or Mortars.)
AMMUNITION REQUEST is a request to change
ammunition from HE (standard SOP) to any of the
following: DPICM, WP, or ILLUM.
Method of Fire and Control is when the target will
be EFFECTED. For the Spur Ride you will use
WHEN READY, other methods are AT MY
COMMAND, and TIME ON TARGET (you will
not use this commands.)
WHEN READY is standard and is not stated in
Method of Fire and Control. WHEN READY
means your fire mission will be fired at the earliest
convince to the FDC and gun battery.
Example of Third Radio Transmission during the
Spur Ride:
• 3 T72s, 2 BMPs, DUG IN, K
MESSAGE TO OBSERVER (MTO)
The Message to Observer (MTO) is the verification
that your CFF will be executed and where the FDC
will inform you if they have made any changes to
your CFF. The FDC initiates the MTO.
Message to Observer message contains the
following:
• Call sign of unit(s) to fire
• Changes to Call for Fire
• Number of rounds per tube in FFE
• Target Number
An Example of an MTO:
• DOGFIRE, HE/VT in effect, 2 Rounds,
AB2001, k
As the observer you will read back the MTO
confirming the fire mission, acknowledging the
changes and ready to observe.
Once the FDC gives your fire mission to a gun
battery, the FDC will inform you that your rounds
have been shot by transmiting your Target Number
and SHOT. Example:
SNAP
Elements Example
1 Platoon, 3 squads, 2
SIZE
Companies
NATURE T-72 (Tank), Infantry, Light
(Nomenclature) Armored Wheeled Vehicles
ACTIVITY Stationary, Finding Cover
In Bunkers, Dug In, In the
PROTECTION
Open
• “AB2001, SHOT, Over” then you will
reply “AB2001, SHOT, Out”
Once your round has impacted near or on your
target, you will inform the FDC by transmitting your
Target Number and SPLASH. Example:
• “AB2001, SPLASH, Over” then the FDC
will reply “AB2001, SPLASH, Out”
If the round fired was one of your adjusting rounds
then your next transmission will be your correction.
If it was your FFE, then you will get a BATTLE
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT. Example:
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Call For Fire (CFF) Instruction Outline For 1-82 CAV Squadron Spur Ride
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• ROUNDS COMPLETE, 1 T72, 2 BMPs should NOT exceed

DESTROYED, 1 T72, 1 BMP Neutralized, 100 meters.
K 3. Initial target location
is reported on the
enemy side of the
SECTION 3 target.
ADJUST FIRE AND SUCCESSIVE vi. Method of fire control.
BRACKETING Note. The request for a fire mission would be similar
to figure 061-283-6003-1.
Standards: Determined the target location to within
250 meters of its actual location. The initial call for
fire was made within 3 minutes after the target was
identified. Adjustments were sent within 45 seconds
after each round impacted. Observer entered the fire-
for-effect phase using no more than six rounds
(initial round plus five for adjustment). Fire for
effect was within 50 meters of the target using
successive bracketing procedures (or creeping fire if
danger close).

Performance Steps
1. Locate the target within 250 meters of the actual
target location. Figure 061-283-6003-1. Initial Fire Request
a. Locate the target by grid coordinates.
b. Determine the direction from your
2. Transmit the call for fire to the FDC within
position to the target.
three minutes of target identification.
c. Formulate a call for fire. Include the
a. Conduct three transmissions.
elements of the call for fire in
i. Send observer identification
sequence.
and warning order. Example:
i. Observer identification (your
"A4Z57, THIS IS G3H71,
call sign).
ADJUST FIRE, OVER."
ii. Warning order (adjust fire).
ii. Send target location.
iii. Location of target.
Example: "GRID NG180513,
iv. Description of the target (for
OVER." (Give the six-digit
example "INFANTRY
grid of the target, with the
PLATOON IN THE OPEN").
grid zone identifier, to within
v. Method of engagement (may
250 meters of the actual target
be omitted if area fire is
location.)
desired).
iii. Send target description,
1. If the target is within
method of engagement,
600 meters of
method of fire and control.
friendly troops,
Example: "INFANTRY IN
announce
THE OPEN, ICM IN
"DANGER CLOSE"
EFFECT, OVER."
to the fire direction
b. Give the direction to the target within
center (FDC) in the
100 mils (M2 compass) or five degrees
initial call for fire, in
(lensatic compass) or give an accurate
the method of
cardinal direction (no compass
engagement phase.
available) of the actual target location.
2. Use creeping
This should be sent before the first
procedures to adjust
correction, or with the first correction.
danger close fire.
3. Adjust rounds to within 50 meters of the target,
Range corrections
within 45 seconds of the impact of each
adjusting round.

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a. Spot each round when it impacts as

right or left, over or short of your
target.
b. Determine corrections for deviation
left or right of the target.

Note. Measure deviation. Measure the horizontal

angle in mils, using the reticle pattern in the
binoculars or hand measurement of angular
deviation. Estimate the range to the target and
divide by 1,000. This is the observer-target (OT)
factor. If the OT distance is 1,000 meters or greater,
the OT factor is expressed to the nearest whole
number. If the OT distance is less than 1,000 meters,
the OT factor is expressed to the nearest 1/10th. For Figure 061-283-6003-2. Successive Bracketing
example, 800 = 0.8. Multiplying the OT factor by
the deviation measured in mils produces deviation
corrections in meters.

c. When the first range spotting is

observed, make a range correction that
would result in a range spotting in the
opposite direction. For example, if the
first round is short, add enough to get
an over on the next round. This is
called successive bracketing (figure
061-283-6003-2). Figure 061-283-
6003-3 shows the impact of the initial
round. The target is 2100 meters away.
Since the round is beyond the target,
you must drop. You estimate that the
round is 250 meters beyond the target. Figure 061-283-6003-3. Impact of Initial Round
Therefore, you must drop 400 meters
to start successive bracketing d. Continue splitting the range bracket
procedures. The round impacted 50 until a 100-meter bracket is split or
mils left of the target. With an OT range correct spotting is observed,
factor of 2, the round impacted 100 maintaining deviation on line. (Figure
meters left. Your correction to the FDC 061-283-6003-4 and 061-283-6003-5
is "RIGHT 100-DROP 400-OVER." show the next adjustments).

WARNING
DO NOT BRACKET when DANGER CLOSE, it
could result in friendly casualties, use the creeping
fire procedure (all corrections are 100 meters or less)

Figure 061-283-6003-4. Second Round

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Figure 061-283-6003-5. Third Round
e. Transmit corrections to the FDC in
meters. The initial correction should
bracket the target in range. The
adjustment phase of a fire mission
would resemble the example shown in
figure 061-283-6003-6. Deviation
correction should be made to keep the
rounds on the observer target line.
Figure 061-283-6003-6. Adjustment Phase
f. Use the following guide to establish a
bracket. When the estimated round
impact distance to the target is-
i. More than 400 meters, add or
drop 800 meters.
ii. More than 200 but less than
400 meters, add or drop 400
meters.
iii. More than 100 but less than
200 meters, add or drop 200
meters.
iv. Less than 100 meters, add or
drop 100 meters.
v. Add or drop 50 meters and
announce fire for effect.
4. Initiate fire for effect. When a 100-meter
bracket is split or a range correct spotting is
made, the fire-for-effect phase is entered (figure
061-283-6003-7). Figure 061-283-6003-8
shows a simulated pattern that might be
observed in the fire-for-effect phase and the
observed results of fire for effect are reported.
Figure 061-283-6003-7. Fourth Round
Figure 061-283-6003-8. Fire for Effect Pattern
5. Observe the results of fire for effect, transmit
refinements (if necessary), and provide end of
mission and surveillance (figure 061-283-6003-
9).
a. Determine the effects on the target.
b. Give a brief description of what
happened to the target. Example:
"EOM, TARGET DESTROYED,
ESTIMATE TWO CAUSALITIES,
OVER."
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