Forward Observers in The U.S. Army / U.S. Marine Corps
In the U.S. Army, a Light, Heavy, or Stryker Infantry company Fire Support Team (FIST) consists of a Fire Support Officer (FSO), a Fire Support Sergeant, three Forward Observers (FO), two Fire Support Specialists and three Radio Telephone Operators (RTO). Armored/Cavalry FIST teams usually consist of just one FSO and three enlisted personnel. Brigade COLT teams operate in groups of three to twelve. Currently in unit training is beginning to incorporate more close air support and close combat attack missions into the field artillery team's mission.
In the U.S. Marine Corps, scout observers also act as naval gunfire spotters and call for, observe and adjust artillery and naval gunfire support, and coordinate fire support assets to include mortars, rockets, artillery, NSFS and CAS/CIFS. FO teams are usually attached to infantry weapons companies to provide indirect fire support to the company's movements.
Read more about this topic: Artillery Observer
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