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15 November 2013 TC 3-09.8 i

TC 3-09.8 Training Circular No. 3-09.8

Headquarters

Department of the Army Washington, DC, 15 November 2013

Field Artillery Gunnery

Contents Page

PREFACE ...................................................................................................................... x Chapter 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1-1

Qualification Methodology ........................................................................................... 1-1 Scope .......................................................................................................................... 1-2

General Content .......................................................................................................... 1-2 Standardization ........................................................................................................... 1-2 Single Sources ............................................................................................................ 1-3 Task-Based Training Strategy .................................................................................... 1-3 Battle Focus ................................................................................................................ 1-3 Mission essential Task List ........................................................................................ 1-3 Commander’s Assessment ......................................................................................... 1-3 Section I – Training Strategy ....................................................................................... 1-5 Gunnery Tables ........................................................................................................... 1-5 Section II – Commander’s Guidance .......................................................................... 1-7 Training Goals ............................................................................................................. 1-7 Training Requirements ................................................................................................ 1-7 Section III – Training Plans ......................................................................................... 1-8 Gunnery Training ........................................................................................................ 1-8 Long-Range Training Plans ........................................................................................ 1-9 Short-Range Training Plans ........................................................................................ 1-9 Near-Term Training Plans ......................................................................................... 1-10

Chapter 2 Safety ......................................................................................................................... 2-1 Section I – Certification, Battle Focus, Duties, and Responsibilities .......................... 2-1 Certification ................................................................................................................. 2-1 Battle Focus ................................................................................................................ 2-2 Responsibilities and Duties ......................................................................................... 2-2 Section II – Procedures ............................................................................................... 2-5

Contents

ii TC 3-09.8 15 November 2013

Cannon Safety ............................................................................................................ 2-5 Cannon Safety Aids .................................................................................................... 2-6 Section III – Manual Computation of Safety Data ..................................................... 2-12 Manual Safety Computation Procedure .................................................................... 2-12 Safety Card ............................................................................................................... 2-12 Basic Safety Diagram ............................................................................................... 2-13 Computation of Low angle Safety Data .................................................................... 2-15 Safety T ..................................................................................................................... 2-19 Updating Safety Data After Determining a GFT Setting ........................................... 2-21 Determination of Maximum Effective Illumination Area ............................................ 2-33 Safety Considerations for M549/M549A1 RAP ......................................................... 2-34 Safety Considerations for M864 Base Burn DPICM/M79541 Base Burn HE ........... 2-35 Computation of High angle Safety Data................................................................... 2-35 Section IV – Determining Minimum Quadrant Elevation ........................................... 2-44 Minimum Quadrant Elevation .................................................................................... 2-44 Section V – MLRS Safety Procedures ...................................................................... 2-51 Section VI – Computation of MLRS/HIMARS Safety Data ....................................... 2-53 General ..................................................................................................................... 2-53 MLRS Surface Danger Zone Values ......................................................................... 2-55 Computing Safety Data ............................................................................................. 2-55 Section VII – Check Data for M270A1/HIMARS/M142 HIMARS .............................. 2-83 M270A1, MLRS, M142 HIMARS, ............................................................................. 2-83

Chapter 3 13F Fire Support Tables ........................................................................................... 3-1 Section I – ASPT for Fire Support ............................................................................... 3-1 Section II – Fire Support Tables ............................................................................... 3-16 Fire Support table I: Individual Tasks ........................................................................ 3-16 Fire Support Table II: Establish Operations .............................................................. 3-58 Fire Support Table III: Fire Planning ......................................................................... 3-64 Fire Support Table IV: Execute Fires ........................................................................ 3-90 Fire Support Table V: Mounted Gunnery Training Program ................................... 3-104 Observer Table VI ................................................................................................... 3-105 Fires Cell Table VI ................................................................................................... 3-105 Chapter 4 13B/13M Delivery Section Training ......................................................................... 4-1 Section I – Howitzer Section Tables ........................................................................... 4-1 ASPT for Howitzer Sections ........................................................................................ 4-2 Requirements .............................................................................................................. 4-2 Howitzer Table I: Individual Tasks ......................................................................... 4-28 Howitzer Table II: Rigging Procedures ..................................................................... 4-41 Howitzer Table III: Establish Operations ................................................................... 4-48 Howitzer Table IV: Execute Fires .............................................................................. 4-56 Howitzer Table V: Section Certification..................................................................... 4-61 Table VI: Section Qualification .................................................................................. 4-62 Section II – MLRS Section Tables ............................................................................ 4-62 Training With MLRS Tables .................................................................................... 4-62 Requirements ........................................................................................................... 4-63 Test Stations ............................................................................................................. 4-67

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15 November 2013 TC 3-09.8 iii

MLRS Tables ............................................................................................................ 4-75 MLRS Table I: Individual Soldier and Leader Tasks ................................................. 4-75 MLRS Table II: Conduct MLRS Firing Section OPAREA Occupation ...................... 4-84 MLRS Table III: Prepare HIMARS for Air Movement ................................................ 4-86 MLRS Table IV/A: Launcher Reload Procedures ..................................................... 4-87 MLRS Table IV/B: Ammunition Upload/Download Procedures ................................ 4-89 MLRS Table V: Training and Certification ................................................................ 4-92 MLRS Table VI: Qualification .................................................................................... 4-94

Chapter 5 13R Radar Section Tables ........................................................................................ 5-1 Section I – ASPT for Radar Sections .......................................................................... 5-1 Test Station 1: Map and Aiming Circle Orientation ..................................................... 5-5 Test Station 2: Initialize the Radar .............................................................................. 5-9 Test Station 3: Establish Communications ............................................................... 5-10 Section II – Radar Tables ......................................................................................... 5-12 Radar Table IA: Individual Tasks .............................................................................. 5-12 Radar Table IB: Individual Leader Tasks .................................................................. 5-18 Radar Table II: LCMR (Lightweight Counter-Mortar Radar) ..................................... 5-20 Radar Table III: RSOP (Reconnaissance, Selection, and Occupation of (Position) 5-22 Radar Table IV: Perform Radar Operations ............................................................. 5-26 Radar Table V: Certification ...................................................................................... 5-29 Radar Table VI: Qualification .................................................................................... 5-29

Chapter 6 13D/13P Fire Direction Tables ................................................................................. 6-1 Training With Fire Direction Tables ............................................................................. 6-1 ASPT for FDC/POC/BOC ........................................................................................... 6-1 Requirements .............................................................................................................. 6-1 Fire Direction Table I: Individual Leader and Soldier Tasks ..................................... 6-11 Fire Direction Table II: Establish Operations ............................................................ 6-16 Fire Direction Table III: Compute Firing Data ........................................................... 6-23 Fire Direction Table IV: Provide Control of the FDC ................................................. 6-31 Fire Direction Table V: Certification .......................................................................... 6-34 Fire Direction Table VI: Qualification ........................................................................ 6-34

Chapter 7 13T Survey/Meteorological (MET) Crewmember Tables ....................................... 7-1 Section I – ASPT for Survey/MET Sections ................................................................ 7-1 Test Station 1 Written Exam ....................................................................................... 7-5 Test Station 2: Basic MET Skills ................................................................................. 7-6 Test Station 3: Survey Skills ....................................................................................... 7-9 Section II – Survey/MET Tables ............................................................................... 7-13 Survey/MET Table I: Individual Tasks ...................................................................... 7-13 Survey/MET Table II: Establish Operations .............................................................. 7-28 Survey/MET Table III: Survey/MET Planning and Coordination ............................... 7-31 Survey/MET Table IV: Perform Survey/MET Missions ............................................. 7-32 Survey/MET Mission Scenario #1: Occupy an Existing Fire Base ........................... 7-34 Survey/MET Mission Scenario #2: Occupy an Unsecure Fire Base ........................ 7-36 Survey/MET Table V: Survey/MET Training and Certification .................................. 7-38 Survey/MET Table VI: Survey/MET Qualification ..................................................... 7-38

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iv TC 3-09.8 15 November 2013

Chapter 8 Collective FA Gunnery Training .............................................................................. 8-1 Section I – Evaluation ................................................................................................. 8-1 Concept ...................................................................................................................... 8-1 General ....................................................................................................................... 8-1 Artillery Table VII: Platoon RSOP ............................................................................... 8-2 Artillery Table VIII: Move ............................................................................................. 8-3 Artillery Table IX: Conduct Occupation of a Position Area and Establish a Firing

Capability .................................................................................................................... 8-4 Artillery Tables X–XII: Platoon Training, Certification, and Qualification .................. 8-10 Artillery Tables XII–XV: Battery Training, Certification, and Qualification ................ 8-23 Artillery Tables XVI–XVIII: Battalion Training, Certification, and Qualification ......... 8-24 Collective Gunnery Training in Support of Combined Arms Training ....................... 8-24

Appendix A JADOCS .................................................................................................................... A-1 Appendix B Minimum QE Rapid Fire Tables .............................................................................. B-1

Appendix C Sample Hands-On and Written Examinations ....................................................... C-1

Appendix D Time & Accuracy Standards ................................................................................... D-1 Appendix E Gunner's Qualification Test ..................................................................................... E-1

Appendix F M28A1/A2 Rocket Crest Clearnance ....................................................................... F-1

GLOSSARY ................................................................................................... Glossary-1 REFERENCES ...........................................................................................References-1 INDEX .................................................................................................................. Index-1

Figures Figure 2-1. Emplacing safety stakes for M119A2 ............................................................................... 2-7 Figure 2-2. Boxed safety ..................................................................................................................... 2-9 Figure 2-3. Unboxed safety ............................................................................................................... 2-10 Figure 2-4. Combat safety ................................................................................................................. 2-11 Figure 2-5. Illumination safety ........................................................................................................... 2-11 Figure 2-6. Example range safety card ............................................................................................. 2-13 Figure 2-7. Example of a completed safety diagram (HE/WP/SMK) ................................................ 2-15 Figure 2-8. Low angle safety matrix .................................................................................................. 2-18 Figure 2-9. Example low angle safety matrix (shell HE/WP/SMK) ................................................... 2-18 Figure 2-10. Example of a completed Safety T................................................................................. 2-19 Figure 2-11. Example of post occupation low angle safety with Range K applied (shell HE/WP/SMK) ...

..................................................................................................................................... 2-24 Figure 2-12. Example of a low angle safety matrix (shell M825) ...................................................... 2-25 Figure 2-13. Example of ballistic data (M825) (NOTE: Refer to 155-AM-3 for MACS procedures) 2-26 Figure 2-14. Example of post occupation low angle safety with Range K applied (shell M825) ...... 2-29 Figure 2-15. Example of a low angle safety matrix (shell illumination) ............................................. 2-30 Figure 2-16. Example of safety table data, M485 illumination (NOTE: Refer to 155-AM-3 for MACS

procedures) .................................................................................................................... 2-31

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15 November 2013 TC 3-09.8 v

Figure 2-17. High angle safety matrix .............................................................................................. 2-38 Figure 2-18. Example of a high angle safety matrix (shell HE) ........................................................ 2-39 Figure 2-19. Example of a high angle safety matrix (shell M825) .................................................... 2-40 Figure 2-20. Example of a high angle safety matrix (shell illumination) .......................................... 2-41 Figure 2-21. Low angle safety computations .................................................................................... 2-42 Figure 2-22. High angle safety computations .................................................................................. 2-43 Figure 2-23. Angles of minimum QE ................................................................................................. 2-45 Figure 2-24. Armed VT decision tree ................................................................................................ 2-47 Figure 2-25. Example impact area .................................................................................................... 2-58 Figure 2-26. Example OPAREA azimuth limits OPAREA Method 1 ................................................ 2-58 Figure 2-27. Example development of target selection box azimuth limits ....................................... 2-59 Figure 2-28. Example development of target selection box range limits .......................................... 2-60 Figure 2-29. Example development of minimum and maximum quadrant ....................................... 2-60 Figure 2-30. Safety T computations (fire missions) .......................................................................... 2-62 Figure 2-31. Example Safety T ......................................................................................................... 2-62 Figure 2-32. Firing OPAREA SDZ requirements .............................................................................. 2-63 Figure 2-33. Example exclusion areas M28A1/A2 ............................................................................ 2-64 Figure 2-34. Example impact area .................................................................................................... 2-66 Figure 2-35. Example OPAREA azimuth limits OPAREA Method 2 ................................................ 2-66 Figure 2-36. Example of minimum and maximum range arcs .......................................................... 2-67 Figure 2-37. Safety T computations (fire missions) .......................................................................... 2-68 Figure 2-38. Example Safety T ......................................................................................................... 2-68 Figure 2-39. Firing OPAREA SDZ requirements .............................................................................. 2-70 Figure 2-40. Example of exclusion areas for M28A1/A2 .................................................................. 2-71 Figure 2-41. Example of the development of target selection box azimuth limits ............................. 2-71 Figure 2-42. Example of the development of target selection box range limits ................................ 2-72 Figure 2-43. Example of an impact area ........................................................................................... 2-73 Figure 2-44. Example of the development of target selection box range limits ................................ 2-74 Figure 2-45. Example of computing safety data ............................................................................... 2-75 Figure 2-46. Example of a Safety T .................................................................................................. 2-76 Figure 2-47. Example of the LDA and the NHA ................................................................................ 2-77 Figure 2-48. Example exclusion areas M28A1/A2 ............................................................................ 2-78 Figure 2-49. Example of an impact area ........................................................................................... 2-79 Figure 2-50. Example of azimuth limits ............................................................................................. 2-80 Figure 2-51. Example of fire missions for Safety T ........................................................................... 2-80 Figure 2-52. Example of a Safety T .................................................................................................. 2-81 Figure 2-53. Example LDA, NHA, and Exclusion Areas I and II ....................................................... 2-82 Figure 3-1. Test station diagram ......................................................................................................... 3-3 Figure 4-1. Example 1 Cluster method testing station .................................................................... 4-4 Figure 4-2. Example 2 Cluster method testing station .................................................................... 4-4 Figure 4-3. Test stations “round-robin” guideline .............................................................................. 4-65 Figure 5-1. Test station diagram ......................................................................................................... 5-3

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vi TC 3-09.8 15 November 2013

Figure 6-1. 13D/P test station diagram ............................................................................................... 6-3 Figure 7-1. Sample test station diagram ............................................................................................. 7-3 Figure B-1. PCR range table ............................................................................................................... B-1 Figure D-1. Five elements of accurate predicted fire are met ........................................................... D-30 Figure D-2. Accurate predicted fire requirements not met ................................................................ D-34

Tables Table 1-1. FA gunnery tables .............................................................................................................. 1-5 Table 1-1. FA gunnery tables (continued) ........................................................................................... 1-5 Table 1-2. Section/Team qualification criteria ..................................................................................... 1-7 Table 2-1. Manual safety computation .............................................................................................. 2-12 Table 2-2. Construction of a basic safety diagram ........................................................................... 2-14 Table 2-3. Low angle procedures ..................................................................................................... 2-16 Table 2-3. Low angle procedures (continued) .................................................................................. 2-17 Table 2-4. Tables and addenda required for safety computations ................................................... 2-20 Table 2-5. Low angle procedures using a GFT with GFT setting applied ........................................ 2-21 Table 2-5. Low angle procedures using a GFT with GFT setting applied (continued) ..................... 2-22 Table 2-5. Low angle procedures using a GFT with GFT setting applied (continued) ..................... 2-23 Table 2-6. Examples of low angle safety .......................................................................................... 2-23 Table 2-7. Ballistic Data for Safety Computations ............................................................................ 2-27 Table 2-8. Ballistic Data for Safety Computations ............................................................................ 2-32 Table 2-9. Procedures to determine maximum effective illumination area ....................................... 2-34 Table 2-10. High angle safety procedures ....................................................................................... 2-36 Table 2-10. High angle safety procedures (continued) ..................................................................... 2-37 Table 2-11. Examples of high angle safety ...................................................................................... 2-39 Table 2-12. Manual minimum QE computations ............................................................................... 2-46 Table 2-13. RFT minimum QE computations .................................................................................... 2-46 Table 2-14. RFT example for howitzer platoon ................................................................................. 2-46 Table 2-15. Manual armed VT minimum QE computations .............................................................. 2-48 Table 2-16. RFT minimum QE computations .................................................................................... 2-48 Table 2-17. Intervening crest, option 1 ............................................................................................. 2-50 Table 2-18. Intervening crest, option 2 ............................................................................................. 2-51 Table 2-19. M28A1/A2 (combined) safety ........................................................................................ 2-55 Table 2-20. Exclusion areas.............................................................................................................. 2-63 Table 2-21. Launcher checklist ......................................................................................................... 2-85 Table 2-21. launcher checklist (continued) ....................................................................................... 2-86 Table 2-22. OIC/FDC checklist ......................................................................................................... 2-86 Table 2-22. OIC/FDC checklist (continued) ...................................................................................... 2-87 Table 2-23. Launcher checklist ......................................................................................................... 2-88 Table 2-24. OIC/FDC Launcher checklist ......................................................................................... 2-89

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15 November 2013 TC 3-09.8 vii

Table 2-24. OIC/FDC Launcher checklist (continued) ...................................................................... 2-90 Table 3-1. Test Stations ...................................................................................................................... 3-5 Table 3-2. Fire Support Table I – Basic FS skills (individual) ........................................................... 3-17 Table 3-2. Fire Support Table I – Basic FS skills (individual)(continued) ......................................... 3-18 Table 3-3. JFO academic sustainment ............................................................................................. 3-56 Table 3-4. Fire Support Table II – Establish operations ................................................................... 3-57 Table 3-5. Fire Support Table III – Fire planning .............................................................................. 3-64 Table 3-6. Fire Support Table IV – Execute fires .............................................................................. 3-89 Table 4-1. Gunner’s qualification test ............................................................................................... 4-17 Table 4-2. Howitzer Table I: Individual tasks .................................................................................... 4-28 Table 4-3. Howitzer Table II: Collective tasks for rigging .................................................................. 4-41 Table 4-4. Rigging procedures .......................................................................................................... 4-41 Table 4-5. Howitzer Table III – Establish operations ........................................................................ 4-48 Table 4-6. Howitzer Table IV – Execute fires .................................................................................... 4-57 Table 4-7. Howitzer Table V – Section certification .......................................................................... 4-62 Table 4-8. Howitzer Table VI – Section qualification ........................................................................ 4-62 Table 4-9. MLRS section tables ........................................................................................................ 4-75 Table 4-10. MLRS Table I – Basic skills (individual) ......................................................................... 4-75 Table 4-11. MLRS Table II – Conduct MLRS firing section OPAREA occupation ........................... 4-84 Table 4-12. MLRS Table III – Prepare HIMARS for air movement ................................................... 4-86 Table 4-13. MLRS Table IV/A – Launcher reload procedures .......................................................... 4-87 Table 4-14. MLRS Table IV/B – Ammunition upload/download procedures .................................... 4-89 Table 4-15. MLRS Table V – Training and certification .................................................................... 4-92 Table 4-16. Dry-fire certification fire mission and ammunition requirements .................................... 4-93 Table 4-17. MLRS Table VI – Qualification ....................................................................................... 4-94 Table 5-1. Radar Table IA – Individual tasks .................................................................................... 5-12 Table 5-2. Radar Table IB – Individual leader tasks ......................................................................... 5-18 Table 5-3. Radar Table II – LCMR .................................................................................................... 5-20 Table 5-4. Radar Table III – RSOP ................................................................................................... 5-22 Table 5-5. Radar Table IV – Radar operations ................................................................................. 5-26 Table 6-1. Test Stations ...................................................................................................................... 6-4 Table 6-2. Fire Direction Operator's Test ............................................................................................ 6-7 Table 6-3. Fire Direction Table I – Individual tasks 13D and 13P..................................................... 6-12 Table 6-4. Task Reference ................................................................................................................ 6-16 Table 6-5. Fire Direction Table II – Establish operations .................................................................. 6-17 Table 6-6. Fire Direction Table III – Compute firing data .................................................................. 6-23 Table 6-7. Fire Direction Table IV – Provide Control of the FDC...................................................... 6-31 Table 7-4. Survey/MET Table I – Individual survey/MET skills ......................................................... 7-13 Table 7-5. Survey/MET Table II – Establish operations ................................................................... 7-28 Table 7-6. Survey/MET Table III – Survey/MET planning and coordination ..................................... 7-31 Table 7-7. Survey/MET Table IV – Perform survey/MET missions .................................................. 7-32 Table 8-1. Collective Gunnery Tables VII–XII ..................................................................................... 8-2

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viii TC 3-09.8 15 November 2013

Table 8-2. Tasks for Collective Gunnery Tables XIII–XVIII .............................................................. 8-23 Table B-1. Rapid Fire Table I ............................................................................................................ B-1 Table B-1. Rapid Fire Table I(continued) ......................................................................................... B-2 Table B-1. Rapid Fire Table I(continued) ......................................................................................... B-3 Table B-1. Rapid Fire Table I(continued) ......................................................................................... B-4 Table B-1. Rapid Fire Table I(continued) ......................................................................................... B-5 Table B-1. Rapid Fire Table I(continued) ......................................................................................... B-6 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II ............................................................................................................ B-7 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II(continued) ........................................................................................... B-8 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II(continued) ........................................................................................... B-9 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II(continued) ......................................................................................... B-10 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II(continued) ......................................................................................... B-11 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II(continued) ......................................................................................... B-12 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II(continued) ......................................................................................... B-13 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II(continued) ......................................................................................... B-14 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II(continued) ......................................................................................... B-15 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II(continued) ......................................................................................... B-16 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II(continued) ......................................................................................... B-17 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II(continued) ......................................................................................... B-18 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II(continued) ......................................................................................... B-19 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II(continued) ......................................................................................... B-20 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II(continued) ......................................................................................... B-21 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II(continued) ......................................................................................... B-22 Table B-2. Rapid Fire Table II(continued) ......................................................................................... B-23 Table D-1. Overall fire mission timing ................................................................................................ D-6 Table D-2. Simultaneous mission timing ............................................................................................ D-7 Table D-3. Fire mission section timing (FIST/COLT) ......................................................................... D-7 Table D-4. Fire mission section timing (FDC section) ....................................................................... D-8 Table D-5. Fire mission section timing (gun section) ......................................................................... D-8 Table D-6. Ready to fire (RTF) times – general ................................................................................. D-9 Table D-6.1. RTF times – emergency mission (hip shoot) .............................................................. D-10 Table D-7. Fire for effect (FFE): When ready, at my command, or time on target .......................... D-12 Table D-8. FFE: Large segmented target ........................................................................................ D-13 Table D-9. FFE: FASCAM (target of opportunity) ............................................................................ D-14 Table D-10. FFE: Priority target or final protective fire .................................................................... D-15 Table D-11. FFE: Immediate suppression ....................................................................................... D-16 Table D-12. FFE: Immediate smoke ................................................................................................ D-17 Table D-13. FFE: ICM/DPICM ......................................................................................................... D-18 Table D-14. FFE: Schedule of fires/fire plan .................................................................................... D-19 Table D-15. FFE: Counterfire ........................................................................................................... D-20 Table D-16. FFE: Engage a moving target, AMC, or TOT ............................................................... D-21 Table D-17. Conduct registration, with radar ................................................................................... D-22

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15 November 2013 TC 3-09.8 ix

Table D-18. Conduct HB/MPI registration (with at least two observers) ......................................... D-23 Table D-19. Adjust fire, forward observer ........................................................................................ D-24 Table D-20. Adjust fire, forward observer using a LLDR/MELIOS, or adjust fire, radar observed .. D-25 Table D-21. Adjust fire, high angle , forward observer .................................................................... D-26 Table D-22. Adjust fire, high angle , forward observer using a G/VLLD/LLDR/MELIOS; adjust fire, high

angle , radar observed ............................................................................................................. D-27 Table D-23. Adjust fire: Coordinated illumination ............................................................................ D-28 Table D-24. Adjust fire: Simultaneous missions .............................................................................. D-29 Table D-25. Adjust illumination ........................................................................................................ D-30 Table D-26. Adjust smoke ................................................................................................................ D-31 Table D-27. X and Y radius values .................................................................................................. D-35

x TC 3-09.8 15 November 2013

Preface The mission of the Field Artillery is to deliver fires and integrate those fires and scalable capabilities to enable commanders to dominate their operational environment across full spectrum operations. To accomplish the mission, the Field Artillery must remain the maneuver commander’s premier, worldwide deployable force able to dominate any operating environment through the integration, synchronization, and employment of organic, joint, and coalition lethal and non-lethal fires.

Training Circular (TC) 3-09.8 is an interim training circular intended to support the mission of the Field Artillery by providing the operational Army Field Artillery Individual Section Certification Tables. These tables are intended to parallel Maneuver Tables 1–6 and are designed for artillery leaders at all levels to assess the proficiency of their units to perform their mission and to sustain Field Artillery Core Competencies throughout the ARFORGEN Cycle. The programs outlined in this manual follow the concepts and guidance provided in ADP 7-0 and ADRP 7-0, Training Units and Developing Leaders.

The tasks, conditions, and standards in this TC are based on system technical manuals, training products, and tasks in the military occupational specialty (MOS) 13-series Soldier’s manuals. In all cases, use the most current technical manuals as references when executing the tables. All Field Artillery units are encouraged to provide ideas to upgrade the tasks, conditions, and standards in this circular.

This publication applies to the Active Army, the Army National Guard (ARNG), Army National guard of the United States (ARNGUS) and the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) unless otherwise stated.

The proponent for this publication is the United Stated Army Training and Doctrine Command. The preparing agency is the U.S Army Field Artillery School. Submit changes for improving this publication on DA Form 2028 (Recommend Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) and forward to the Directorate of Training and Doctrine, Doctrine Branch, Fires Center of Excellence, Fort Sill, Oklahoma 73503.

15 November 2013 TC 3-09.8 1-1

Chapter 1

Introduction This Training Circular (TC) provides the guidelines for implementing a Field Artillery (FA) gunnery program that incorporates all FA systems. The objective is a safe, technically and doctrinally grounded, progressive, task oriented training model. FA, as a system of systems, requires integrating functions or tasks performed by the critical elements of the gunnery team to provide timely and accurate fires. The artillery tables provide the commander with a systematic means of training and qualifying each of the sections/crews/teams that are critical to the solution of the gunnery problem. The tables provide progressive training from Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) qualified individual tasks through collective gunnery training at the battalion level. These tables also provide all FA leaders and Soldiers with the “what” and “how” to train materials that are standard across the Army.

The FA commander continuously assesses the unit’s proficiency and readiness to perform mission essential tasks. Each commander implements gunnery programs to achieve and sustain unit readiness and proficiency in these tasks. The commander uses all the resources available to implement an efficient gunnery program; this maximizes the use of ammunition, training area availability, and Soldier training time to sustain proficiency.

This TC provides an effective progressive method for qualification procedures. Given the tempo and various mission requirements, the intent of this TC is to provide commanders a flexible, yet proven methodology to train and develop highly qualified combat crews/sections.Para1-1

QUALIFICATION METHODOLOGY

CERTIFICATION 1-1. Certification is a safety focused assessment by the battery commander that his crews are safe to fire. It is normally done semi-annually, but can be increased in frequency as necessary in order to meet Unit Status Report (USR) qualification requirements. It is completed at battery level, valid for 6 months, and includes the written safety test administered by the Battalion Master Gunner/Fire Direction Non Commissioned Officer (FDNCO)/Fire Support NCO, a hands-on safety certification witnessed by the Battery Commander, and the Artillery Skills Proficiency Test (ASPT) which has been verified and validated by the Battalion’s Master Gunner. Table V (Dry Missions) administered by the battery are used to validate the commander’s recommendation of safety certification. Certification must be completed prior to any live fire qualification or requalification procedures.

EVALUATION 1-2. Evaluation is a semi-annual external validation of sections/teams. It is focused on Artillery Table VI missions. The evaluation is administered under the control of the Battalion Master Gunner and the oversight by the Battalion’s Command Sergeant Major.

QUALIFICATION 1-3. Qualification is a live fire event based on the correct execution of Artillery Table VI. It is normally done semi-annually for the Active Component (AC) and annually for the Army National Guard (ARNG), but can be increased in frequency as necessary in order to meet USR qualification requirements. It is completed at battery level and observed by battery leadership. Qualification is valid for 6 months from date of qualification for the AC and 12 months for the ARNG.

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1-2 TC 3-09.8 15 November 2013

1-4. No training strategy satisfies the requirements of all units, and this model is no exception. A new organization with untrained personnel would use the progression of tables as presented as a means to achieve training proficiency. As the proficiency of the unit progresses and is sustained, the commander adjusts the strategy to fit the level of training of the unit. The semi-annual lock step progression of Tables I–VI is not the requirement; demonstrated training proficiency is the goal. The commander should consider the following to determine the gunnery strategy: (1) Results of the ASPT, (2) Record of proficiency on individual tasks (Table I initially, but task proficiency is expected to be sustained and improved during normal training), and (3) Section Task Proficiency on critical tasks (Table V).

1-5. The unit Master Gunner is a primary advisor and manager of the commander’s gunnery program. FA Master Gunners are the commander’s key resource and the unit focal point for administering the training and qualification programs in this TC. Master Gunners are selected for their technical education and skills in their MOS, training management, and individual instructor proficiency, as well as for breadth of proficiency in various artillery skills. A Master Gunner is an operations staff asset, having specified training management responsibilities for gunnery, technical standardization, and safety oversight. The Master Gunner is responsible for the selection, training, and certification of evaluators for implementing the tables in this TC. He will assist in the execution of the commander’s safety certification program. The Master Gunner will also assist the commander in developing programs and training future Master Gunners in the organization. For a more detailed description of all Master Gunner duties and responsibilities see FM 3-09.21 (Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for the Field Artillery Battalion).

SCOPE 1-6. This TC provides a methodology for standardizing gunnery training for the FA force to support Unified Land Operations. Effective FA training throughout the years has always required tough, thorough, and achievable standards. Technical proficiency and flexibility in a resource and time constrained environment is the hallmark of the FA branch.

GENERAL CONTENT 1-7. The general content of the FA Gunnery Tables provides:

• Tables with procedures and individual tasks based on the associated system technical manuals (TMs) for the equipment assigned to the section being trained. References are provided for all tasks in the tables.

• Focus on FA gunnery procedures, in the provision of an Armywide FA standard gunnery training program, in a common tabular format consistent with maneuver branch tables.

• Procedures for certification/qualification of all crews/sections involved in gunnery. The tables provide crew/section/team qualification tables through collective training at the battalion level as required to support the commander’s assessment of training readiness, in accordance with AR 220- 1 (Unit Status Reporting).

• Performance steps for all individual task are available through the Digital Training Managmenet System (DTMS) or each Military Occupational Speciality (MOS) Soldier Training Publication (STP). Performance measures are available to use during the evaluaiton of all individual and collective tasks.

STANDARDIZATION 1-8. Standardization serves as a guideline to unit commanders and Soldiers for application in their training environment. Using these practices depends on the planning and expertise of Soldier leaders in their environment. This TC is a source to sustain the technical body of knowledge in a force performing a multitude of Soldier tasks related and unrelated to gunnery proficiency. Standardization:

• Provides prescriptive guidelines and rationale for standardized gunnery in U.S. Army FA units. • Accommodates command, table of organization and equipment (TOE), and unit peculiar

requirements (such as theater of operations, mission essential task list [METL], airborne, and air assault) while capturing artillery standards at the same time.

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• Provides baseline proficiency requirements for unit(s) retraining from non-artillery employments. • Allows commanders to incorporate training conditions, exercises, and focus.

SINGLE SOURCES 1-9. Though a single source document, this TC is not an encyclopedic, multivolume recapitulation of TMs. This TC is designed to be used with the up to date TMs required for the safe and effective operation of all FA systems. Single source:

• Provides actual information or bibliographical references to artillery documentation for training FA tables to standard.

• Provides a living document to the field Army by reference to the requirements for updated TMs as they are developed for current and new systems.

TASK BASED TRAINING STRATEGY 1-10. The artillery tables represent a task based training strategy linked to required resources to assist the commander and training manager in the development of realistic, battle focused gunnery training. The artillery training and standards in this TC are, by design, related to other available descriptive collective training strategies available to unit leaders. These strategies include the following:

• The Combined Arms Training Strategies (CATS) for artillery battalions include a strategy, the supporting resources and recommended events, training aids, devices, simulators, and simulations (TADSS), and supporting training support packages (TSPs) for the training of the artillery tables. The CATS ammunition resources are based on the Standards in Training Commission (STRAC) allocations.

• DA Pam 350-38 (Standards in Training Commission [STRAC]) provides descriptive strategies, combining ammunition allocations, and TADSS based on the overarching CATS.

BATTLE FOCUS 1-11. Battle focus is a concept for deriving peacetime training requirements from wartime missions. Battle focus guides the planning, execution, and assessment of each unit’s training program. This is to ensure that its members train as they fight. The battle focus process is the same for Active Army and Reserve Component (RC) units (both Modified Table of Organization and Equipment [MTOE] and Table of Distribution and Allowances [TDA]). ADP 7-0, Training Units and Developing Leaders explains how to plan, resource, and execute training events. This TC provides the gunnery principles and standards to evaluate crew, section, and platoon training.

MISSION ESSENTIAL TASK LIST 1-12. A unit’s training program must support the METL; therefore, time, resources, and command emphasis must all focus on training tasks that support the METL. Platoon sergeants and section chiefs should use the appropriate critical task list to identify the individual tasks that support the collective tasks. To develop the METL, the commander must know and understand the war plans and external directives handed down from the higher headquarters.

• The Brigade Combat Team (BCT) Commander and Fires Battalion Commander will determine the fire missions that must be trained by the Fire Support Team/Combat Observation and Lasing Team (FIST/COLT) to support the unit’s METL.

COMMANDERS ASSESSMENT 1-13. FA Gunnery training must be well designed and continuous for units to achieve, improve, and sustain gunnery proficiency. Each commander must continually assess their unit’s previous performance, current level of training, and state of weapon and weapon platform maintenance to determine its level of proficiency in gunnery. Then, they must train their unit to produce skilled crewmen, crews, and platoons. The Master Gunner should advise the commander and assess, plan, develop, implement, instruct, evaluate, and reassess all phases of

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gunnery training. The commander’s ongoing assessment is crucial to gunnery program development and where the team effort should be demonstrated most.

1-14. The following factors must be considered during the assessment: • Evaluate previous training. The commander assesses training with input from the executive officer

(XO), S-3, subordinate leaders, and Master Gunners (see ADP 7-0). He can use individual and crew training to determine the unit’s proficiency.  Individual. Common task test results show basic individual training proficiency. The ASPT

evaluates specific section related individual proficiency. The written test for Table I evaluates knowledge of Individual MOS tasks. Individual weapons training and qualification scores indicate proficiency levels with the various weapons organic to the sections and platoon.

 Section. Section training proficiency can be measured by reviewing results of most recent gunnery tables, leader safety certification results, and specific section training requirements.

 Collective. Collective training proficiency can be measured by reviewing past collective gunnery, Combat Training Center (CTC), and field training exercise (FTX) results.

• Section turbulence. • Training days available. • Resources available. • The unit’s specific METL. • Past strengths and weaknesses within the unit. • Who will be the primary trainer for the gunnery program?  Evaluation. The commander uses specific standards to measure the demonstrated abilities of

individuals and crews. Accurate evaluations are necessary to identify where to place training emphasis. Leaders must make on the spot corrections and demand aggressive action to correct training deficiencies. Crew level simulations results are also good indicators of crew proficiency.

 Informal. Unit leaders evaluate performance informally during training.  Formal. The commander schedules a dedicated evaluator on either the long or short range

training plan.  Internal. The evaluated unit plans, resources, and conducts their own evaluations.  External. Higher headquarters or another unit plans, resources, and conducts a unit evaluation.

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SECTION I – TRAINING STRATEGY

GUNNERY TABLES Table 1-1. FA Gunnery Tables

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Table 1-1. FA Gunnery Tables (Continued)

QUALIFICATION CRITERIA 1-15. Table 1-2 lists the minimum requirements for a crew/section to maintain qualification. Field artillery commanders will train and safety certify, but are not limited to the following personnel:

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Table 1-2. Section/Team Qualification Criteria

SECTION II – COMMANDER’S GUIDANCE

TRAINING GOALS 1-16. Training goals will vary based on the assigned mission and commander’s intent. The goal is to create a training environment that is as realistic and demanding as possible with the resources available. The following goals should be set to ensure successful training:

• Set and enforce tough, but achievable standards. Tough standards will generate effective training; loose standards will produce weak sections. The sections cannot be fooled; they know when they have done well. Insist on repetition to achieve mastery.

• Start early. All aspects of a training program must be thoroughly coordinated. Forecast resources and maintenance assistance long before they are needed.

• Be thorough. Avoid wasting resources and training opportunities. Give subordinates the guidance and assets needed to train their sections and platoons.

• Be flexible. Continually update the training program to the changing needs of the unit. If assessment and planning stop, the training program stagnates.

• Train continually. Train at every opportunity, not just during an intensified period, to get ready for qualification tables. Specialized high intensity training programs should be used only to bring a unit up to a desired proficiency level; then train continually to maintain that level.

1-17. Contingency plans and alternate methods of training should be identified in case the primary plan cannot be executed. Training time is valuable and should not be lost due to unforeseen factors.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS 1-18. Training must conform to Army doctrine. The training requirements listed below must be trained and completed to standard to ensure the ultimate success of the gunnery training plan.

• Schedule section skills training monthly, concurrently with preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS), prepare to fire checks, and tactical training.

• All Soldiers assigned to a section must pass all ASPT tasks in the 6 months (12 months for RCs) before live fire.

• Sections must meet or exceed the prerequisites to live fire as established by AR 350-1 (Army Training and Leader Development), local regulations, and the unit commander.

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• Section members must maintain proficiency on Table I tasks appropriate for their skill level before conducting Table II. Tasks may be evaluated during routine training events or as a written examination.

• Sections must participate in and satisfy the requirements of the Individual and Crew Gunnery Training for Unstabilized platforms in FM 3-20.21 (Heavy Brigade Combat Team [HBCT] Gunnery).

• Sections must qualify on Table VI before conducting the collective Gunnery Tables. • Platoons must qualify on Table XII semi-annually. • ASPT evaluators must pass all ASPT tasks before they evaluate a particular ASPT station

themselves. • Live Fire Convoy training events will be conducted in accordance with TC 4-11.46 (Convoy

Protection Platform Gunnery).

1-19. The commander develops his training strategy after assessing the strengths and weaknesses of his unit. His strategy must focus on his METL, sustain his unit’s strengths, and correct its weaknesses. He will find that some tasks apply to all Soldiers, some apply only to types of sections/teams, and others apply to multiple types of sections. This requires an integrated training strategy. Gunnery progresses logically to support section/team training, leading the section or platoon up to a collective, tactical, live fire evaluation during section or platoon qualification.

SECTION III – TRAINING PLANS 1-20. Once the commander and his staff have developed his METL and thoroughly assessed training proficiency, he begins the detailed process of developing a training plan.

GUNNERY TRAINING

MASTER GUNNER 1-21. The mission of the Master Gunners is to train the unit for gunnery and act as subject matter expert for all weapon system platforms in the battalion. The Master Gunner advises commanders at all echelons and assists with the planning, development, execution, and evaluation of all gunnery related training (individual, crew, and collective). The Brigade FSNCO acts as Master Gunner for all Fire Support related training and personnel in the BCT.

1-22. The Master Gunner duties include— • Assist the integration of newly assigned Soldiers.  Sets up or conducts initial skills training for new personnel.  Assists in training new section members.  Trains and certifies section/team evaluators.

• Assists all elements in the unit concerning gunnery training. • Forecasts and manages ammunition for certification and evaluations. • Manages gunnery records, ASPT records, and section rosters. • Sets up and oversees ASPT training and evaluates the results. • Coordinates and controls training device use. • Plans and manages section/team gunnery simulations training. • Executes gunnery training. • Supervises live fire ranges to make sure all standards are followed. • Advises the commander on battle roster changes and section/team turbulence impacts.

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LONG RANGE TRAINING PLANS 1-23. Long range planning synchronizes supporting units and agencies by allocating dedicated training time for organizations and units to train on METL tasks. Long range planning goes out to 1 year for Active Army and 3 to 5 years for RC at the battery level.

1-24. Each commander identifies training needs from his METL task proficiency assessment. He sets goals and forecasts or allocates resources to reach them. When considering his long range plan, the commander must answer several questions:

• What is the current platoon proficiency level (crew and squad)? The answer to this question depends on:  Battle roster changes.  Performance during previous gunnery exercises and section and platoon situational training

exercises (STXs) and LFXs. • What are the performance goals for the platoons (the proficiency level sections must reach to

accomplish METL tasks)? • What resources must we have, and where is the command emphasis?  Correct tasks that fall short of the standard.  Sustain proficiency in tasks that meet the standard.

• What schools and training are needed to certify and train trainers?  Master Gunner’s course.  Section evaluator’s certification.  ASPT evaluator certification.  Instructor/operator courses within the unit.  Joint Fires Observer (JFO) trained and certified observers.

SHORT RANGE TRAINING PLANS 1-25. Short range planning defines in greater detail the broad guidance on training events and other activities outlined in the commander’s training guidance and depicted on the long range calendar. Short range planning looks out from 3 to 6 months for Active Army and 12 to 20 months for RC. Resources identified during long range planning are allocated and prioritized during short range planning. Command training guidance is published to provide trainers detailed information on the training objective.

1-26. Gunnery resource considerations are ammunition, fuel and maintenance, range and maneuver area, and training device availability.

• Ammunition. Master Gunners must carefully manage ammunition allocations. The battalion Master Gunner forecasts ammunition needs well before the training event. For many reasons, the ammunition authorization could fall short of the forecasted training requirement. The Master Gunner gets the yearly ammunition authorized according to DA Pam 350-38, he then allocates ammunition based on the commander’s guidance and priority’s.

• Fuel and Maintenance. An intensive vehicle technical inspection program should be instituted prior to gunnery to ensure all vehicles are fully mission capable (FMC) with the goal of each crew qualifying on their own vehicle.

• Range and Maneuver Area. Include target and range support personnel. Coordinate Direct/Indirect Fire Range requirements with Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT) Gunnery density for BFIST as applicable.

• Short Range Gunnery. Considerations include:  Vehicle services.  Other mandatory training, or events prescribed by higher headquarters.  No training events (holidays, leaves, installation support).

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 Section training priorities and expected outcomes.  Leader, individual, and collective tasks associated with the training event.  Steps required in preparing trainers and evaluators.  Integration of section training on the training calendar.

NEAR TERM TRAINING PLANS 1-27. Near term planning consists of scheduling and executing training specified in the short range training plan, providing specific guidance for training, and producing detailed training schedules. Near term planning covers a period of 6 to 8 weeks prior to execution of training for Active Army and 4 months prior to execution of training for RC.

1-28. Training meetings should be held at battalion, company, and platoon levels so all key personnel understand detailed information.

• Battalion meetings focus on training management.  Conduct final coordination of ranges, training areas, and ammunition.  Coordinate between units for maintenance, medical, logistics, and personnel requirements.  Lock in and publish unit training schedules.

• Company and platoon meetings cover the specifics of executing the training event. These elements should be included in the gunnery operations order (OPORD).  Discuss when the training will be conducted, to include movement times, to the training area.  Discuss personnel involved in the training event, and identify who is responsible for conducting

the training.  Discuss in detail the range setup, execution, and key individual responsibilities.  Discuss training location, uniforms, and special equipment required to conduct training.  Discuss specific personnel performance measures to be evaluated.

1-29. Commanders should require back briefs to ensure subordinate leaders understand all aspects of the training event. The formal training plan culminates with the training schedule. Commanders, key leaders, and all trainers must continue to plan and coordinate training informally with a series of pre-execution checks. Additionally, trainers, Soldiers, and support personnel must thoroughly prepare for training.

• Pre-execution checks systematically prepare Soldiers, trainers, and resources to ensure that training starts properly. These checks are developed, and responsibility for them assigned, during short range planning.

• Commanders prepare trainers to conduct performance oriented training by providing time, guidance, resources, and references. Each trainer rehearses his preparations and reviews the tasks and subtasks that he must conduct. This gives him confidence in his ability to perform the task himself, and to teach Soldiers the correct skills.

Task Assesment 1-30. Each task has a standard that measures the successful performance of the task and task steps that give directions on the how to of task performance. Furthermore, some steps have performance measures listed as well. In order to assess a task and give a “T, P, or U” rating, we have attempted to identify a criterion that satisfies the needs of the commanders and is as non ambiguous as possible. Keeping in mind that the commander has the ultimate responsibility of rating a task, this method below represents one way to assess tasks. It cannot possibly take into account all possible situations and apply mission, enemy, terrain, troops and time available and civil considerations (METT-TC) to the assessment. The commander must do that and use his subjective opinion to give the final rating.

1-31. In addition to the standard, several task steps/performance measures are listed for each task. Each task step/performance measure is graded either “GO” or “NO-GO.” The question, “Does a unit have to perform each task step/performance measure successfully in order to receive a ‘Trained’ for the task?” has always arisen. In the past, the answer according to the Mission Training Plan (MTP) manuals was “Yes.” We know, however, the

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practical answer is no. As long as the task standard is met, and critical steps, identified with a “+,” are performed to standard the unit will successfully perform the task. If every step were required for successful completion of a task, the unit would never have a rating of “Practice” for any task. We have attempted to identify critical steps for each task. We may have overlooked some steps, and you may not agree with our evaluation of critical steps. We ask your help to identify critical steps during your review and use of the tables.

• A rating of “T” = All critical task steps/performance measures as indicated by a “+” are performed, 70% of those task steps not listed as critical are performed, and the element attains the task standard. “T” (trained) means that the unit can successfully perform the task to standard. Only sustainment training is needed. The leader/observer/controller or trainer judges task performance to be free of significant shortcomings. Practice on “T” tasks is designed to keep Soldiers from loosing proficiency.

• A rating of “P” = All critical task steps/performance measures as indicated by a “+” are performed, less than 70% of those task steps not listed as critical are performed, and the task standard is met. “P” (practice) means that the unit can perform the task with some shortcomings. The shortcomings are not severe enough to require complete retraining. Only refresher training is required. The determining factor is the task standard. The task standard must be met to receive a rating of “P.”

• A rating of “U” = The unit fails to attain the task standard. “U” (untrained) means that the unit cannot perform the task to standard. The element has failed one or more critical task steps/performance measures. The determining factor is the failure of the unit to perform the task to the stated standard. It may be assumed that if a critical task step is failed, then the task standard cannot be met. The leader must prepare a comprehensive strategy to train all tasks not executed to standard.

1-32. Units should strive to receive a “GO” on each performance measure. “NO-GOs” should be analyzed and discussed during after action reports (AARs) and critiques. Units should train to eliminate “NO-GOs” from future evaluations.

1-33. Evaluations can be internal or external. Internal evaluations are conducted at all levels, and they must be a routine component of all training. External evaluations are usually more formal and are normally conducted by a headquarters two echelons above the unit being evaluated.

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Chapter 2

Safety The basic rule for preventing firing incidents is to recognize that individuals make errors, and the best safeguard against those errors is an independent double check of all operations in which human error could cause a firing incident (sometimes referred to as the two man rule). A fundamental aspect of safety is that no one person performs a critical live fire task then checks that task alone. For every critical task required for firing artillery safely, there is a person or persons designated to verify the task. Verification of data includes independent checks by independent means.

SECTION I – CERTIFICATION, BATTLE FOCUS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CERTIFICATION 2-1. Live fire safety is critical when training artillery units. The commander’s certification of leaders in the required safety procedures is a gate for all subsequent live fire training (for delivery sections, see Chapter 4). Training individual leader safety tasks is a critical first step in training the Field Artillery Gunnery Tables.

2-2. Conducting live fire safety checks and verification is an integral responsibility in most leader duty positions in FA units. Qualifying leaders to perform their responsibilities includes live fire safety procedures and positive checks required to perform duties as Officer in Charge (OIC), Range Safety Officer (RSO), and safety certified section chief. Commanders are responsible for the safety certification/qualification of individual leaders to perform in the duty positions listed in paragraph 2-3.

INDIVIDUAL SAFETY CERTIFICATION 2-3. The duty positions in an FA firing battery that requires knowledge or skills that directly impact on live fire safety will be certified during individual certification of skills. A written test, hands on component, or both may verify this certification. Examples of questions can be obtained from the Field Artillery Master Gunners Knowledge Center on the Fires Knowledge Network (FKN) at https://www.us.army.mil/suite/files/1834686 . Tasks to support the hands-on component are in located in the specific Military Occupational Specialty chapters within TC 3-09.8. The duty positions requiring individual certification are:

• Battery commander. • Battery XO. • Battery FDO. • Platoon leader. • Gunnery sergeant. • Platoon sergeant. • Section chief. • Chief Fire Control SGT/Chief Fire Direction Computer.

SECTION/CREW/TEAM TRAINING 2-4. All sections/crews/teams that contribute directly to solving the gunnery problem will be trained in a dry status, prior to live fire qualification. Where available, TADSS will be used to support training such as—

• Guard Unit Armory Device Full Crew Interactive Simulation Trainer (GUARDFIST) II. • Call for fire trainer (CFFT) for FIST/COLT training. • M270A1/HIMARS Fire Contro Panel Trainer (FCPT).

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• Fire Support Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (FSCATT) for howitzer section training. • Desk Top Trainer (PDFCS/DFCS).

BATTLE FOCUS 2-5. Live fire safety requirements normally associated with ranges and range safety (such as the Safety T) also apply to combat. The requirement to compute and check left and right limits, minimum and maximum charges, fuze settings, deflections, and quadrant elevations are as critical in avoiding fratricide and violation of fire support coordination measures (FSCM) during combat as are range safety precautions during live fire training.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Commanders of Filed Artillery Battalions and Larger Units 2-6. Commanders establish and maintain a safety training and certification program for their personnel. This program trains and qualifies firing battery personnel in safety procedures for their specific areas of responsibility. When the commander is satisfied that the personnel are qualified to perform the safety duties as required, he certifies them. Personnel who have not completed annual training and certification will not be appointed as OIC or RSO. Additionally, the commander must:

• Comply with the installation procedures for certifying OIC/RSO/Laser RSO (LRSO). • Conduct risk management for all range operations.

Officer In Charge 2-7. The OIC is the battery commander or his command safety certified representative. The OIC is responsible for all aspects of safety in the firing unit and on the assigned firing range. Before the firing exercise, the RSO provides the OIC with the required safety data and firing limitations. The OIC verifies that the unit is in the proper firing position, supervises the conversion of the safety data into a safety diagram, and ensures that another command safety certified individual verifies the diagram. The safety data determined from the safety diagram provide right and left deflection limits, minimum (min) and maximum (max) Quadrant Elevations (QEs) for authorized charges, and minimum safe fuze times. The Safety T, modified as needed by the XO’s minimum QE, is given to the appropriate members of the firing battery. The OIC ascertains locations of friendly personnel who may inadvertently become exposed to artillery fires (through the installation Range Control Officer [RCO]). The OIC ensures dissemination of this information to platoon leaders, platoon sergeants, and section chiefs, as appropriate, to guard against fratricide.

Fire Direction Officer 2-8. The FDO has primary responsibility for computing safety data and ensuring that all safety data are updated after registration and receipt of current MET data. The FDO, assisted by the chief computer operator, plots the impact area on a map or chart in the FDC and ensures that all firing data are within prescribed safety limits before they are sent to the firing sections. The FDO is responsible for adjusting minimum QE for intervening crests. Re-compute and issue updated Safety Ts:

• When a registration is completed. • When MET conditions change. • When restrictions change.

Chief Fire Control Sergeant 2-9. The chief fire control sergeant, within the cannon organizations, assists the FDO in verifying initialization data in the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS). The chief fire control sergeant assists in constructing the safety diagram and in verifying the data for the Safety T and the adjustment of minimum QE for intervening crest.

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Chief Fire Direction Computer 2-10. The chief fire direction computer, with the MLRS/HIMARS organizations, assists the FDO in verifying initialization data in the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS). The FDC assists in constructing the safety diagram using the Safety Data Calculator (SDC).

Fire Control Sergeant/Fire Direction Center (FDC) Section Chief 2-11. The cannon fire control sergeant/MLRS/HIMARS FDC section chief have primary responsibility for initializing, maintaining, and operating the AFATDS database and supervising the secondary means of data computation as necessary. He assists the chief fire control sergeant/chief fire direction computer with safety computations and performs duties of the chief during his absence or during 24 hour operations.

Gunnery Sergeant/Platoon Sergeant 2-12. The gunnery sergeant/platoon sergeant helps the XO or platoon leader and must be prepared to perform many of the duties in the absence of the XO or platoon leader.

Howitzer section Chief 2-13. The howitzer section chief supervises all practices at or near the weapon. These practices include verifying that the announced safety data are applied to the weapon and that the proper charge, fuze, and projectiles are fired. The howitzer section chief has final responsibility for firing the weapon and performs the following pre-fire checks (in accordance with applicable operator level TM-10 series):

• Checks the serviceability and type of ammunition and fuze used. • Ensures the proper emplacement of safety stakes/tape. • Physically verifies that every charge is correct before loading. • Verifies the fuze/time setting on each round before loading. • Announces the time fuze setting on the round (for comparison with the announced fire

command). • Checks deflection and quadrant for each round by visual inspection of data, sight picture, and

leveling vials. Using the gunner’s quadrant, to verify quadrant, is mandatory for the first rounds fired in each new mission or as directed.

MLRS/HIMARS Section Chief 2-14. The launcher section chief is responsible for the safe operation of the weapon system by the crew from the upload of live rockets through rocket launch. The launcher section chief ensures that all procedures in the launcher are conducted in accordance with applicable technical manuals and all reports and checks are verified in accordance with the procedures outlined in this chapter. The launcher section chief is ultimately responsible for ensuring that munitions are neither armed nor fired until firing data is properly verified as safe. The launcher section chief also ensures that the gunner is trained to properly read and use a Safety T.

Range Control Officer 2-15. The RCO gives the following safety data to the firing unit OIC:

• Grid coordinates of the firing position. • Lateral safety limits. • Minimum and maximum ranges. • Authorized ammunition to be fired (fuze, projectile, and charge). • Maximum ordinate (high angle or low angle). • Hours during which firing is to be conducted. • Target area boundaries.

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Range Safety Officer 2-16. The RSO is responsible for the safety practices of the firing element and ensures that the section chiefs have safety data. In Cannon Units, the RSO determines the lowest QE that can be fired safely from the firing position and ensures that projectiles clear all immediate crests (for the XO’s minimum QE, see page 2-45). The FDO, the platoon sergeant, and/or the gunnery sergeant will assist. In MLRS/HIMARS Units, the RSO ensures that section chiefs report firing data to the POC/BOC and that Area F and Exclusion Area I are clear. Before granting clearance to fire, the RSO:

• Ensures that weapons and personnel are properly positioned. • Ensures that authorized ammunition and explosives (to include proper charge, fuze, and fuze

settings) are used. • Ensures that firing settings and weapons systems are within prescribed safety limits and

verified. • Ensures that the surface danger zone (SDZ) is clear of all unauthorized personnel. • Ensures that proper hearing protection is worn by personnel in noise hazard areas. • Ensures that proper eye protection is worn by personnel within eye hazard areas. • Ensures that permission is received from range control to begin training and live fire

operations. • Conducts final coordination with the OIC before beginning live fire operations. (This

coordination will include a summary of checks, inspections, and actions that the RSO has completed and verification that required communications have been established and a “hot status” has been received from range control.)

• Orders immediate cease fire or check firing when an unsafe condition occurs. • Is physically present at the training site. • Reports all accidents and ammunition malfunctions to the range OIC. • Verifies, upon completion of firing or firing order, to the OIC that all weapons and weapons

systems are clear and safe before allowing removal of weapons from the firing area.

Laser Range Safety Officer 2-17. The LRSO:

• Ensures that unit personnel employing lasers receive thorough safety briefings (including explanations of specific laser related hazards, safety equipment, and detailed range safety procedures) and comply with procedures in DA Pam 385-63 (Range Safety).

• Knows and observes horizontal and vertical safety limits of the laser range. • Follows unit standard operating procedures (SOPs) for laser operations and training exercises. • Ensures that all personnel engaged in laser operations, including personnel in target areas,

maintain continuous communications. • Ceases laser operations immediately if communications or positive control of the laser beam is

lost.

2-18. The LRSO takes extreme caution when using a target designating laser in conjunction with ordnance delivery aircraft. The onboard laser seeker may lock onto the designator or its radiated energy (beam or reflected beam) instead of the target. The LRSO uses the following procedures to reduce this risk:

• Ensures that the pilot of the attacking aircraft has positive knowledge of the location of the designator and the target area before releasing munitions.

• Designates the approach paths and briefs both the designating and forward air controller and the aircrews before conducting the mission. Plans aircraft approach paths to preclude crossing laser designator beams with the laser seeker. (The laser seeker should intersect the designator beam well forward of the laser firing point, angling toward the target.)

• Ensures that only mission essential personnel are within the area of effects for the weapon

Safety

15 November 2013 TC 3-09.8 2-5

employed from the designator or direct or reflected beam of the laser designator during operations.

• Does not launch or release munitions on a heading toward the laser designator. See applicable technical manuals for recommended employment procedures.

Observer 2-19. The observer ensures that the impact area is clear of personnel and equipment prior to firing and spots all fired rounds and reports any duds to range control. When the Leica Vector (VIPER), Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder (LLDR), or any other device is used for lasing, the observer must ensure that all applicable laser safety procedures are followed.

SECTION II – PROCEDURES 2-20. The following safety procedures include firing and computational procedures for both MLRS/HIMARS and cannons. These procedures are identical to those in FM 6-40/MCWP 3-1.6.19 (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Field Artillery Manual Cannon Gunnery) and FM 6-50 (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for the Field Artillery Cannon Battery) and are consolidated here for convenience. These procedures comply with AR 385-63/MCO 3570.1B (Range Safety) and DA Pam 385- 63; however, if local range regulations are more restrictive than the material in this manual, follow the local range regulations.

CANNON SAFETY 2-21. This section identifies the specific duties of cannon battery personnel before, during, and after firing. Specific duties of safety personnel before firing include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Verify that the data the RCO gives to the OIC apply to the unit firing, that the unit is in the correct location, and that the data are correct.

• Compute and verify the safety diagram (at least two safety certified personnel, normally the platoon leader and FDO).

• Ensure that all personnel and equipment are clear from Surface Danger Area E before firing (see DA Pam 385-63 for the dimensions of Surface Danger Area E for specific weapon systems).

• Check the DA Form 581 (Request for Issue and Turn-In of Ammunition) and range safety card to ensure that only authorized ammunition is fired (platoon leader or platoon sergeant).

• Ensure that no safety violations occur at or near the weapon(s) (all members of the firing unit). • Check the weapons for correct boresighting (section chief). • Verify the lay of the battery (platoon leader or platoon sergeant). • Compute and verify minimum QE (platoon leader or FDO). • Compare minimum QE with the QE for minimum range shown on the safety diagram. Use the

larger of the two as the minimum QE (platoon leader or FDO). • Verify that the section chief has safety data (Safety T). Ensure that section chiefs are advised

of all friendly personnel in the area who may inadvertently be exposed to FA direct or indirect fires (platoon leader or platoon sergeant).

• Supervise and check the emplacement of safety aids (stakes, tape, and other devices) (platoon leader, platoon sergeant, or gunnery sergeant).

• Verify that range clearance has been obtained (platoon leader or FDO).

2-22. Specific duties of safety personnel during firing include, but are not limited to, the following: • Verify the serviceability of ammunition (section chief). • Supervise key safety personnel in the performance of their duties (OIC or RSO).

Chapter 2

2-6 TC 3-09.8 15 November 2013

• Verify that the charges, projectiles, and fuzes being fired are only those prescribed on the safety card (section chief, platoon leader, or platoon sergeant).

• Visually inspect to ensure that the correct shell fuze combination, time (if required), and charge are properly prepared and loaded on each round. Verify that the correct number of remaining powder increments (execpt for MACS charges) are removed to the powder pit before loading and firing each round (section chief).

• Verify that rounds are not fired below the minimum QE or above the maximum QE (section chief, platoon leader, or platoon sergeant).

• Verify that rounds are not fired outside the lateral (deflection) safety limits specified on the range safety card (section chief, platoon leader, or platoon sergeant).

• Verify that time fuzed rounds are not fired with fuze settings that are less than the minimum time prescribed on the safety diagram (section chief, platoon leader, or platoon sergeant).

2-23. Suspend firing when any unsafe condition exists (any person who sees an unsafe act). Examples of unsafe conditions include the following:

• Powder bags exposed to fire. • Personnel smoking near pieces of ammunition. • Improper handling of ammunition. • Time fuze previously set and not reset to safe. • Primer inserted into the firing assembly before breech is closed (separate loading ammunition). • Failure to inspect powder chamber and bore after each round is fired. • Failure to swab powder chamber after each round of separate loading ammunition is fired.

2-24. On all commands that are unsafe to fire, command “CHECK FIRING,” and give the reason(s) why the command is unsafe (section chief or anyone observing an unsafe act), as in the following examples:

• “UNSAFE TO FIRE 3 MILS OUTSIDE RIGHT SAFETY LIMIT AND 2

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