RAA Liaison Letter 2024 - 2025 Edition

RAA Liaison Letter – 2024 / 2025 Edition 117 The effective practise of mission command is essential to deal successfully with the chance, friction and uncertainty of conflict. Mission command allows faster, more relevant decision- making in complex, volatile environments, but also relies more heavily on individual judgement and tactical exertion. It is based on the clear expression of the senior commander’s intent and the granting of trust and freedom to subordinates to act creatively within that intent.’ – LWD 1 Observers understand using directive command to implement fire support is unrealistic. The decentralisation of Joint Fires coordination relies heavily on the commander’s trust and confidence in their observers. This calls for FOs to be subject matter experts and to be willing to make risky tactical decisions. It is a requirement of FOs to have exceptional tactical appreciation skills. Observers exploit this advantage over adversaries to establish positions with prime command of the ground to enable maximised targeting, prosecution, and intelligence gathering on enemy forces. Effective FOs also require an understanding of manoeuvre theory. This provides them with a unique view of operations that enables them to have the ability to influence the planning and decision-making cycles at the Platoon to the Division. As the Australian Defence Force realigns its posture to a more conventional force, the need for competent observers will exponentially increase. So the question is, how will Joint Fires Teams adapt to this evolutionary posture change? Joint Fires Teams will now see themselves employed to their maximum capability across the battlespace. Teams of FOs will be required to operate at greater distances to focus on depth reconnaissance, precision targeting, long-range strike, and long-range communications. This will undoubtedly test the bond between supported commanders and Joint Fires Teams by having such dislocated assets. The modern FO has not fallen behind in the innovation of military hardware with highly capable thermal surveillance systems, laser range finders, target designators, and the next- generation suite of the Digital Terminal Control Systems (DTCS). All FOs are specialised combat communicators who have an in-depth knowledge of military communication systems as they may find themselves far ahead of other friendly forces, making the successful employment of this equipment essential to achieving their mission. DTCS provides observers with a second-to-none digitally aided system that showcases large scale situational awareness tools enabling battle tracking and troop safety, but even more useful to the FO, it provides the ability to conduct Digitally Aided Fire Support and Digitally Aided Close Air Support with Australian and Coalition Joint Fires Assets. This capability shortens the kill chain by providing accurate, expedited, prioritised, and lethal effects on an adversary. Australian Army Joint Fires Teams have showcased a capability increase and proved the need for precision lethality for the Australian Army. Mission Command will continue to be exploited and prove its worth in Joint Fires Teams. Commanders will sleep well at night knowing the watchful eyes of the FO is looking over their soldiers. The FO will forever remain the lethal eyes of the battlefield. Biography Gunner Webster is a Forward Observer posted to the 102nd (CORAL) Battery, 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. Lessons From the Littoral Environment: Importance of CAS in the Future Fight T HIS ARTICLE DRAWS ON THE HISTORY OF CLOSE AIR SUPPORT AND ITS APPLICATION IN MODERN CONFLICT TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW IT CAN BETTER SUPPORT THE I NTEGRATED F ORCE . Captain Craig Macaulay Introduction During Exercise Predators Run 2024, the 1st Brigade tested its ability to move and fight in the littoral environment across a dispersed 1,000 km frontage. The dispersion of forces hindered the ability to position sufficient artillery to support the ground force with adjacent units also being too far removed to be effectively employed.