LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Response to Major General Stricklin's Farewell Article

I enjoyed [Chief of Field Artillery] Major Toney Stricklin's article ["Field Artillery--Relevant, Trained and Ready--Two Years Later," July-August] as he reflects on a long career as an artilleryman and offers us a "status of the Field Artillery." However, I was dismayed by his statement about the condition of our delivery systems.

He said on Page 3: "Our medium and light towed systems are worn out....Only one is capable of supporting offensive operations--the M119...but it is mechanically unreliable. Paladin and the M198...are cumbersome, labor intensive and unable to support fast-moving, offensive-oriented maneuver operations."

If this is true, we need replacement systems as soon as possible. The problem is the long delay before any of these systems are replaced. For example, the M198 will not be replaced until FY06 at the earliest [by the lightweight 155-mm howitzer], Paladin in FY08 [by Crusader] and the M119 FY14 [assuming there will be a fire support variant of the future combat system, or FCS]. This means that for the next six to eight years or even longer, Field Artilleryman must train and go to war, if necessary, with systems that are "worn out, mechanically unreliable and unable to support offensive maneuver operations." Knowing this, if I were a young soldier or prospective Field Artilleryman, I might chose a different combat arm.

My point is, the systems we have are still the best in the world, and with good support, training and the dedication of the individual crewmen and their leaders, all these systems will serve the artillery well.

Since World War II, we have maintained a high state of readiness and also participated in several conflicts with seemingly old, worn-out systems. I commanded a battery of World War II vintage howitzers in both Germany and Vietnam, and they never failed to do the job.

Another chapter in this story can be written about why it is taking so long to field new systems. The lightweight 155-mm howitzer (LW 155) and Crusader have been under development for many years, and both have experienced major delays. Crusader's problems are all not just because the transformation of the Army required a major reduction in weight. The LW 155 has been delayed about three years, and with the major weight reduction achieved with the extensive use of titanium, many challenges remain related to welding and manufacturing. There is no program started yet to replace the M119.

COL(R) James B. Lincoln, FA

Annandale, VA

45th FA Bde 1st to Field AFATDS 

The 45th FA Brigade, Oklahoma Army National Guard (ARNG), is the first ARNG brigade to field the advanced FA tactical data system (AFATDS). AFATDS is replacing the initial fire support automation system (IFSAS) used by FA ARNG units.

The 45th Brigade Headquarters in Enid and its Oklahoma battalions completed the intensive three-week AFATDS Version 99 fielding process at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, in June. The brigade has two multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) battalions in Oklahoma-1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery in Lawton and 1st Battalion, 171st FA in Altus. The brigade's 2d Battalion, 222d FA, an M109 Paladin unit in Cedar City, Utah, completed its AFATDS fielding in July. The next challenge is for the brigade to conduct routine training to sustain its digital fire support skills.

The fielding of AFATDS to the 45th is not the brigade's only "first." Ten years ago, the brigade was the first ARNG unit to field MLRS.

1LT Scarlet Tyler

Public Affairs Officer

45th FA Brigade, OKARNG

Correction to "TLP for Light Company Fire Support Planning for the Defense"

The figure on Page 35 in the March-April article "TLP for Light Company Fire Support Planning for the Defense" [by Sergeant First Class Jeffrey A. Mubarak] has an error. The figure limits the registration corrections for mortars to 800-mm short of and 800-mm beyond the registration point. However, Figure 14-4 on Page 14-4 of FM 23-91 Mortar Gunnery illustrates that registration corrections may be applied 1500-mm short of and 1500-mm beyond the registration point along the gun-target line. [The figure is shown corrected with this letter.]

The difference is significant and must be understood by fire supporters. It should be noted that the 1500-mm transfer limit is the same regardless of the size of the mortar.

More information about registering mortars can be found in CALL [Center for Army Lessons Learned] Bulletin 99-3 at http://call.army.mil/products/ctc_bull/99-3/chap4.htm. Figure 14-4 of FM 23-91 can be viewed online http://www.adtd1.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/23-91/ch14.htm#p1.

SFC Sean Harris, FA

C Battery, 3 19th AFAR

82d Airborne Div, Fort Bragg, NC

FSO Handbook On Line

Every good fire support officer (FSO) will have a "Smart Book" that includes maximum ranges for various projectile-powder combinations, maximum effective ranges of friendly and enemy direct fire systems, smoke planning factors and other such information to help him do his job. He gathers this information in one location and commits the majority of it to memory for immediate recall. When riding in a track or walking in total darkness, he won't have time to fumble with his Smart Book and find basic planning data.

Now there is an "FSO Handbook" on line to help the FSO. ST 6-20-20 FSO Handbook provides some considerations for the type of material that should be in an FSO's Smart Book. ST 6-20-20 was written by the Fire Support Division of the Fire Support and Combined Arms Operations Department of the Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The handbook is on line at http://sill-www.army.mil/faccc/ and is a student text for the Field Artillery Captains Career Course.

The FSO handbook does not replace doctrinal manuals or a unit's standing operating procedures (SOPs). However, it fills a how-to gap. Doctrine does not explain the "how" of the task force FSO's job. ST 6-20-20 also is not a book of checklists. Finally, this book of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) is not intended as a "how to fight at the Combat Training Centers (CTCs)" handbook.

ST 6-20-20's best use is as a foundation of knowledge for FSOs to draw upon to accomplish their jobs. If a unit does not have a fire support SOP, then the handbook can be used as a basis for establishing that SOP.

Maj Alvin W. Peterson, USMC

Small Group Instructor, FSCAOD 

FA School, Fort Sill, OK