An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 27 FIELDCRAFT – PART 10 Issuing Fire Control Orders A successful fire control order is one which brings controlled, effective fire down on the enemy. It is essential that all trained soldiers know the meaning of the terms used in fire control and can decide quickly on the best type of fire control order to be used for each particular situation. aim: To teach the terms involved in fire control and how to issue fire control orders. Prepare at least three Fire Control Orders of each type for use during demonstrations and section practice. Ensure that all 'indications' are clear and concise. the practice is best conducted as follows: Depict a situation to the section. Nominate a fire unit commander and write down everything he says during his fire control order. Get the section to lay rifles on targets indicated using the rifle rests. discuss the fire control order with the section, paying particular attention to the following: Was the sequence correct? Was it the correct type for the situation? Was the range accurate? Was the indication accurate, clear and concise? Was the rate of fire correct for the situation? fire unit: Any number of soldiers firing under one commander, e.g. a section and the section commander. fire direction orders: Orders that a fire unit commander receives from his superior. They may include key ranges, special orders to withhold fire, when to open fire, at what targets and at what rates, etc, e.g. as part of his fire plan. fire control orders (fco): Orders that the fire unit commander gives to control and direct the fire of his soldier. arc of fire: The ground for which a fire unit is responsible and in which it engages targets. axis of fire: The approximate centre of the arc. field of fire: The area of ground on which an individual soldier or a fire unit can fire effectively. concentrated fire: The fire of all weapons of a fire unit directed at the same point. distributed fire: The fire of all weapons of a fire unit distributed over a wide target. Issuing fire control orders: Indicate arc of fire and reference points. Before giving a fire control order, the following should be assessed: The Target: Is it near enough, clear enough and vulnerable enough to justify opening fire? Would it be better to wait for a more vulnerable target or more complete surprise? Weapons: Which of the weapons available would obtain best results, or should all weapons be used? Type of Fire: Normal or rapid. Rapid fire is used to cover movement in the final stages of an assault. On other occasions, it is justified only if it will make surprise more complete or if the target is particularly vulnerable. Give a snap fire control order only when it is impracticable to control the time of opening fire. When engaging a wide target, direct distributed fire along its width. a fire control order should be given always 'claP': c - Clearly, calmly and concisely. l - Loud enough for the soldier to hear it above the noise of battle. a - As an order. P - With pauses to allow for target identification and sights to be set, if applicable.

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