Fire Support Lessons From Operation Anaconda

Some good lessons on fire support from down in the trenches...This came from a fire support officer with experience in combat.  It certainly appears that many of the same lessons concerning the basics of fire planning are having to be continually relearned.  

As we have always stated, technology is a nice improvement but only if the “basics” are still understood, trained on, and applied.  

-----Original Message-----
From: The Boys in Afghanistan

1. The G/VLLD laser designator is not a functional system in
sustained combat, especially during Operation Anaconda. The batteries discharge too quickly, it is hard to get them recharged when deployed forward, it is bulky, and heavy. Because of these limitations, it was not used in the operation. Recommend that we obtain SOFLAM or the Light Weight Laser Designator.

2. MELIOS had problems concerning batteries. Recommend that we obtain VIPER, which the special operations forces are currently fielding.

3. Focus your training on Polar fire missions. In the steep
mountains, it was very difficult to obtain accurate location for grid
missions. Thus, the FOs relied almost exclusively on Polar missions, i.e., direction, distance, and elevation to the target from their own location.  The FOs must keep their GPS on continuous mode, carry extra batteries, and have a compass easily available.

4. FSOs should train their FOs how to use contour lines to
navigate in very steep terrain.

5. FSOs and FOs must know how to determine location in both
Longitude/Latitude and military grid.

6. 10th Mountain Division used “Falcon View” for command and control and the Brigade used MCS Light.  This created a problem for sharing graphics. “Falcon View” provided better resolution for targeting.

7. The FSE Client Device was not functional at Brigade level.

8. 3.5 Disk drives did not work because of the dust. Zip drives and CD ROMs did not have a problem.

9. Bring a lot of compressed air cans to keep the computers functioning.

10. SIDPERS net was critical for long-range communications among different headquarters. Division, BCD, DOCC, BDE, and AOC used live chat rooms to provide instantaneous information and coordination for operations being executed.  You must control the computer operator who is sending information over the chat room and have the messages screened by a battle captain or XO before sending them.


11. Plan your battle rhythm to provide soldiers at least one day off a week to reduce stress and take care of personal needs. The staff maintained about a 20-hour day battle rhythm for about 2 weeks for the operation.

12. All FOs must be trained on how to call emergency CAS!!!

13. The Rakkasan brigade's targeting procedures work extremely well and the 10th Mountain Division eventually adopted it for its use.

14. The Brigade FSO, Targeting Officer, and FSNCO must be experts at reading ATOs, ACOs, and Special Instructions (SPINS). During one operation, the BDE FSE used the IFF squawk code for the helicopters from the SPINs to get feedback on locations through the AWACS via TACSAT. This is fed into the MCS-light, which displays the updated position.

15. The PRC-117 is a great radio and provides the artillery with the long-range communication that it needs.

16. The BDE FSE has work very closely with SOF in planning operations. The special operators have their own system for planning fire support.  Be flexible.