AUSA Fires Symposium - Fort Worth, Texas

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BG Ridge and COL McCants – Discussed access to joint fires being key and ensuring that the Army has the right mix of munitions for the maneuver commander. He also addressed the need of JTACs at Battalion and Company level, and if the USAF cannot support this, then the Army will likely have to fill that void with JFOs. He responded to three questions – 1) Is there a need for gunnery, 2) Are fires as responsive as they can be and 3) Need for senior fires leaders in division and above.

COL McCants stated that 42% of the ADA force is forward deployed. He emphasized three areas 1) IAMD C2, 2) Training and Personnel, 3) Communications. We need systems that are interoperable and capable of plug-and-play.

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MG Dellaroco, BG Cole, Mr. Van Rassen and Mr. Shields – Discussed the impact of the era of persistent conflict on the acquisition process. We are executing many programs in a quick reaction mode. BG Cole stated there are two ways to develop material needs – 1) Program of Record – full process, and/or 2) QRC – abbreviated process (less testing). To be more responsive, we need to capture where we are (rather than where we’d like to be) and then push that capability through the acquisition process and out to the field. Incremental (evolutionary change) vs. revolutionary change – how do we get there from here. In order to lower costs we need to look at international businesses and their products – many of their systems are cost effective and fit into our architecture.

BG Cole highlighted the need to have an architecture which integrated sensors, EW and Intel – C5ISR. Having the architecture to share data with our team and also with our allies is key and we need to gain the capability to allow a true plug-and-play option. He also stated we do not need more (sensor in this case) but we need to make better use of what we already have.


Dr. Messervy, COL Cuthbertson, Mr. Burger – SMDC Panel – Dr. Messervy discussed “filling the gaps” of responsive space assets, high altitude instruments, and cyberspace. SMDC continues to work advanced technologies and directed energy (high energy lasers). High altitude gives a warfighter many options and dramatically expands the field of view for many systems. The increased field of view coupled with high loiter times make such platforms immensely capable, but payload is the tradeoff.

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BG Theole – Leader Development – He discussed updates in leader development strategy and mentioned changes in ILE to enact ALDS. Three primary changes were discussed 1) integration of interagency partners, 2) importance of international programs and 3) emphasis on operations in an information environment. BG Theole introduced a new Center of Interagency Cooperation at Fort Leavenworth. CAC is reviewing the CCC POI and the educational approach – there are many ideas for changes or upgrades, but no clear way ahead. They are reviewing the pedagogy because learning styles have changed and technology can further enhance learning, thus, better aligning us with the ALC. BG Ridge talked about the USAFAS partnering with academia and MG Halverson emphasized the importance of education with regard to being a leader and professional. Other ideas CAC is reviewing is the concept called TDE – Temporary Duty for Education – establish a Soldier in a full-time educational status at their home station via distance learning.

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MG Halverson led the panel discussion with insight into the FCoE initiatives. The panel then discussed the fires functional concept and the work being done at Fort Sill to move forward. The panel fielded numerous questions from “How do we train a technical and tactical NCO?” to questions on the investment strategy. BG Ridge addressed the leadership challenges. He also reinforced the importance of teaming with academia and working with institutions of higher education regarding instructor education/teaching initiative. The panel finished the presentation with the “Top 6 Fires Gaps” and the Fires Way Ahead slide. Throughout the panel, leader development at the officer and NCO level was a key message. In closing, MG Halverson invited the audience to be part of the solution by using the FCoE social media sites and providing input to doctrine and the processes at the FCoE – “Do we have all the answers, no, but we have agile open minds to adapt...”

[SethB]

If you don't mind my asking, what were the fires gaps?