The purpose of this publication, “Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Observed Fire (FM 6-30),” is to explain observed fire procedures used by units in combat and to explain how observed fire training is conducted in peacetime to meet combat requirements. The material presented herein applies to both nuclear and nonnuclear warfare. This publication discusses observed fire procedures, with the firing unit using both manual and automated fire direction techniques. The observed fire procedures are usually the same; only those instances in which differences occur are indicated, Digital and automated observed fire procedures are discussed in the appendixes. This publication covers only technical observed fire procedures, the operational and organizational aspects of employing observers are discussed in other publications, particularly in the FM 6-20 series manuals. The target audience for this publication is the field artillery fire support team (FIST) personnel and other fire support observers, to include aerial fire support observers (AFSOs), combat observation/lasing teams (COLSTs), infantry scouts, and personnel who may become involved in rear area combat operations.

Training Circular (TC) 3-09.81, "Field Artillery Manual Cannon Gunnery," sets forth the doctrine pertaining to the employment of artillery fires. It explains all aspects of the manual cannon gunnery problem and presents a practical application of the science of ballistics. It includes step-by-step instructions for manually solving the gunnery problem which can be applied within the framework of decisive action or unified land operations. It is applicable to any Army personnel at the battalion or battery responsible to delivered field artillery fires. The principal audience for ATP 3-09.42 is all members of the Profession of Arms. This includes field artillery Soldiers and combined arms chain of command field and company grade officers, middle-grade and senior noncommissioned officers (NCO), and battalion and squadron command groups and staffs. This manual also provides guidance for division and corps leaders and staffs in training for and employment of the BCT in decisive action. This publication may also be used by other Army organizations to assist in their planning for support of battalions. This manual builds on the collective knowledge and experience gained through recent operations, numerous exercises, and the deliberate process of informed reasoning. It is rooted in time-tested principles and fundamentals, while accommodating new technologies and diverse threats to national security.

Army Techniques Publication ATP 3-09.30 Observed Fires SEPTEMBER 2017 Army Techniques Publication (ATP) 3-09.30 sets forth the doctrine pertaining to the organization, equipment, mission command, operations, and provides techniques for employing fire support assets as an observer which can be applied within the framework of decisive action or unified land operations. It is applicable to any Army personnel observing for artillery or mortar fires, close air support, army attack aviation, or naval surface fire support. See ATP 3-09.32 for information on close air support, army attack aviation, or naval surface fire support. The principal audience for this publication is FA commanders, staffs, and personnel at the field artillery brigade (FAB), division artillery (DIVARTY), and brigade combat team (BCT) and separate FA battalions and below. Commanders, staffs, and subordinates ensure that their decisions and actions comply with applicable United States, international, and in some cases host-nation laws and regulations. Commanders at all levels ensure that their Soldiers operate in accordance with the law of war and the rules of engagement (See FM 27-10).

"This training circular sets forth a procedure and technique that may be used by ground and air observers as an alternate method for conduct of artillery gunfire to that set forth in Department of the Army Training Circular No. 1, 1948, and FM 6-40. Its scope covers the technique and procedures to be used by the observer, the fire-direction center, and the firing battery, when the target grid is used."--Page 1.

Commanders must understand the spectrum of capabilities of the fire support system. Skillful integration of fire support into all facets of the AirLand Battle must take place simultaneously and continuously as close, deep, and rear operations are synchronized.