MG Halverson Notes – State of the Fires
MG Halverson, (Commander of the Fires Center of Excellence, FCoE), discussed a wide array of topics during his portion of the seminar. Some of which included a discussion on the integration of Fires Doctrine with the ACC, 3-0, and Army Operating Concepts. MG Halverson said that we must set the intellectual foundation to stay relevant in today’s operating environment and that we have to have the right approach to maintain our core competencies at all levels.
He also took time to elaborate and dispel some “myths” about the Fires community. Some of his key points were that the Fires Force is a deployed force, adding that Field Artillery units are firing between 4000-6000 rounds per month in OEF and fire support is being used at all levels. And, AC and ARNG Air Defense units are deployed or preparing for deployment with CRAM missions, with 42% of the current Patriot force is forward stationed or deployed.
MG Halverson also spoke of issues that the FCoE is currently. Some of the points of this discussion were:
1.) What Fires C2 capabilities are required at various echelons?
2.) What Fires capabilities are required at the IBCT level?
Precision, near precision, conventional munitions mix
Organic v. task organized
Possible composite units
3.) What AMD capabilities are required at the tactical levels?
BCT – Corps
IFPC/C-RAM/CUAS/ and CMD
Lastly, he discussed his Top 6 Fires Gaps where he mentioned that these were the areas that needed to be addressed as we move forward as a Center of Excellence. There was then an open discussion on how best to address the shortfalls:
1.) Lack of organic precision indirect Fires capabilities in the IBCT
2.) Lack of ability to detect, ID, track and intercept Low/Slow UAS threats to the lowest tactical level (BCT –Div)
3.) Lack of lightweight accurate target location designation systems to support dismounted Soldiers in the IBCT
4.) Lack of ability to protect forces from rocket, artillery, and mortar projectiles down to the lowest tactical level
5.) Lack of an Accurate 360 degree targeting capability to accurately employ munitions at extended ranges (BCT – FiB(Div))
6.) Lack of ability to integrate Army and JIIM air missile defense capabilities across all echelons

For more of MG Halverson’s remarks and to watch other Fires Seminar briefings, log on to DCO-Connect at:
https://connect.dco.dod.mil/r75632489
Also, the presentations that speakers give will be posted on the Fires Knowledge Network on AKO.