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How the Ukrainians Conduct FIST Operations
Published 2 years ago
Members of the Aerorozvidka NGO, operating with Ukrainian Forces, have released a short video showcasing a day in their life. This video accurately represents how Ukraine is changing the game of FIST operations.
For the uninitiated, FIST is an acronym that stands for Fire Support Team. The responsibilities of the FIST are to establish a forward observations point in which they can adjust and control supporting fires for combat operations. These teams are usually heavily equipped with observation tools and radio equipment, and they're often just behind the front-lines or in some instances even far ahead of friendly lines in enemy territory controlling fires.
For the longest time, FIST operations were usually heavily limited by direct line of sight. Laser range finding devices that could triangulate ten-digit-grids are often used in coordination with other observation tools and maps to allow the FIST team to direct supporting fires onto enemy targets. Ukraine has taken this and changed the game entirely with their use of commercially available man-portable drones which greatly extends their observation range and lethality.
Every forward observer in the world should be watching footage like this and taking notes. Not only because this is the future of controlling fires, but because even someone like me who is only a halfway competent in call-for-fire can see ways of improving this process to make it more deadly and effective. It will be interesting to see what new tactics, techniques, and procedures are developed in the coming years through the lessons learned in this conflict.
