The NATO edition has concluded at the 4th telecommunications and DA/AV systems brigade Joint Fires Course 2023, offered in mode Mobile Educational Training Team (METT) by the School of Aerocooperation (SAC) of Guidonia (RM), developed, coordinated and directed by the division Joint Effects and Targeting (JET) of the Joint Forces Operational Command (COVI).
As highlighted by the commander of the Brigade General Aerocooperation School (AM) Francesco Donato Rizzo, when greeting the attendees, the objective of the course is to provide the necessary skills to the personnel designated to operate within the Joint Fires functional area , in national and international operations abroad, to carry out planning, coordination and execution tasks of joint and combined fire support, through lethal and non-lethal engagements, aimed at creating effects in the physical, virtual and cognitive dimensions with an approach to military operations multidomain, which goes beyond the traditional areas of land, sea and sky, integrating the Cyber and Space domains.
The week-long course, open to attendance by personnel from NATO and partner countries, saw the participation of national instructors from the Navy General Staff, Joint Joint Operational Command (COVI), Network Operations Command (COR), Space Operations Command (COS) and by NATO terms such as theallied air command (AIRCOM - Germany) and NATO headquarters rapid deployable corps Italy (NRDC-ITA).
To complete the information framework, instructors from the United States European Command (USEUCOM - Germany) and US 19th battlefield coordination detachment (BCD), have provided a perspective on the dynamics of integration of Fires between the USA and NATO, participating as a tutor in all phases of the course.
In particular, the 19thth BCD has the task of supporting NATO in facilitating the integration of Joint air and land operations with the aim of addressing crises and conflicts in the Euro-Atlantic area, in a dynamic and integrated manner, ensuring the synchronization of actions and effects.
In the final phase of the course, organized and directed by US 19 personnelth BCD and the div. JET of the COVI, an "experimental" practical exercise was also carried out, which led the attendees to analyze the guidance of the commander, study the situation of the opposing assets on the ground, determine the specific actions aimed at creating the desired effects to allow the achievement of the objectives specified by the commander, draw up a High Payoff Target List (HPTL) or a list of targets / objectives prioritized in order of importance, obtain the approval of the HPTL in the relevant decision-making board and achieve the commander intents.
The course which represents the only training opportunity in the sector within NATO and is included in theEducation and Training Opportunities Catalogue (ETOC) of the Alliance, aroused considerable interest in NATO and partner countries, and saw the participation of seven foreign attendees.
In the next iteration, scheduled for June 2024, the focus of the course will be pushed further towards the integration of Fires di component and the identification of the effects and actions to be pursued to satisfy the requirements of the commander.
The feedback provided by the students and instructors will however allow us to further refine the educational program to better enhance the training activity within the Alliance.
