FORT POLK, La. -- Fire support teams from 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, had an opportunity to call in close-air support during a training event at the Joint Readiness Training Center here.
The event gave an opportunity for the battalion's joint fires observers to recertify and hone their skill set. Each joint fires observer is a key member of ev-ery fire support team at the bri-gade level and below.
He is a specially trained observer working closely with Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controllers to provide the maneuver commander timely synchronization and responsive execution of joint fires and effects at the tactical level. The event started with a tactical movement out to the mock town simply known as "CAS Town." Along the way, teams had to react to indirect fire, enemy mounted machine gun teams, and enemy dismounts.
When the teams reached the outskirts of town, they were put into a troops-in-contact situation. From there, each JFO would have an opportunity to employ an A-10 C Warthog and an OH-58D Kiowa helicopter for close-air support and close combat attack.
"It gave us a real-world experience," said Spc. Jarod Cook, a JFO from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4-31 Infantry. "We had to continuously adjust to our surroundings and focus on maneuver rather than sitting on an observation post or in a classroom. JFO training at Fort Sill was all classrooms-based."
Commanders and their fire support officers must ensure that training develops the JFO's skill set while also increasing confidence in the JFO's ability to employ joint fires.
"The JFOs out here have never trained with actual pilots," said Sgt. 1st Class Jamal Benjamin, battalion fire support noncommissioned officer. "This training was very important as it had that real-world aspect."
"JFOs need to continuously train with JTACs to ensure they are prepared when they deploy," he added.
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