ultradave
Posts: 1355
Joined: 8/20/2013 Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Artillerist I should add, the first FIST organization was implemented by the 82nd airborne's 2/321 FA in 1977, and over the next few years the rest of the Army underwent the transition from FO parties attached to company HQ (usually an Artillery Lieutenant and two enlisted artillerymen) to the FIST structure. COLTs meanwhile began forming later in 1990. Platoon FO parties travel on the supported platoon's vehicles (either M113 or later Bradleys) Company FISTs used the M113 FIST until widespread fielding of the FISTV in the mid 80s (1984/5ish) FSEs used the M577 COLTs used the Humvee, and FISTV depending on availability That covers the time period of the game. @exsonic01 Yep, For further reading, I recommend FM 6-20-40 (heavy), FM 6-20-50 (light), and the FA/fires journal archive; https://sill-www.army.mil/firesbulletin/archives/ I resemble that remark!! First assignment FIST Chief, A Btry, 1/320 FA (Abn). 1978. I was later Fire Direction Officer for B Btry, 2/321 FA(Abn). And Fire Support Officer for 1st Bde. Note that in the 82d we had no vehicles for the FIST :-) It was all pretty new and we were working with our infantry CO's to make sure we were well integrated. I had a great infantry CO that we supported (C Co, 1/325 inf) and he told me "If I turn around and my elbow doesn't hit you, you are too far from me" He wanted me (and our radios) in arms reach all the time. Worked for me. We got along great. Our FIST by TOE was supposed to have a LT, SSG and SP4 for the FIST HQ to go with the infantry company HQ, and 3 x 2 man FO teams (1 SGT FO, 1 PFC RTO) We very seldom had the FO team RTOs and most of our SGT FO positions were filled by SP4s. Pretty much the only place I can remember where we were ever short of personnel. We always had all 3 of the HQ people. For people into Army organizations, the 3 artillery battalions in the 82d are now 1, 2, 3 of the 319th. Back then, we had 1/319, 1/320, 2/321 and the sister battalions were in the 101st. Not sure how it came to be mixed like that.
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---------------- Dave A. "When the Boogeyman goes to sleep he checks his closet for paratroopers"
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