The Joint Fires Element: An Initial Solution
Abstract
The 21st Century joint force will be the centerpiece for a wide range of military operations that will emphasize gaining operational and strategic effects against the enemy force. Modern systems, sophisticated communications, sensors and unprecedented battlefield awareness make more decentralized and independent operations easier to plan, coordinate and execute. As the joint task force assumes the role as the primary deployment arm of the military instrument, its commander must be capable of managing a multitude of operational level activities across a battle space that continues to change its shape and become less defined. The addition of the Joint Fires Element to the JTF provides the commander with a dedicated staff to ensure that the joint force is capable of successfully accomplishing the joint fire support tasks and allows component commanders to focus greater attention to planning and execution of assigned missions. Simply stated, there is a compelling need for a standing joint fires element at the joint task force headquarters to plan, coordinate and integrate joint fires into the commander's concept of operations. This paper briefly summarizes the need to modify current doctrine, presents the current state of staff roles and functions to manage joint fires, identifies where doctrine has attempted to appease its critics but fallen short of adequately addressing the key issues, and finally presents a suggested organization at the joint task force level to plan, coordinate and execute effective joint operational fires.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 16, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA420248
Entities
People
- Thomas M. Kastner
Organizations
- Naval War College