How to Request Fire Support (Call for Fire)

A call for fire (CFF) is a standardized request for indirect fire support. It must be transmitted accurately and quickly — a poorly formatted CFF delays fire support at the worst possible moment. This guide covers the six-element format used for artillery and mortar requests.

Before You Call

Confirm you have:

• Communication established on the fire support net
• Target location (grid, polar plot, or shift from a known point)
• A clear, unobstructed observation of the target (for adjust fire) or reliable grid data (for FFE on a surveyed target)

The Six Elements of a Call for Fire

1. Observer Identification

Identify yourself to the fire direction center (FDC).

"THUNDER 6 FDC, this is WOLF 3-6, adjust fire, over."

2. Warning Order

Tell the FDC what type of mission you are requesting.

Mission Type	Use When
Adjust fire	You need to walk rounds onto the target from an initial round
Fire for effect	Target grid is accurate; deliver full effect immediately
Suppression	Need immediate suppression; accuracy secondary
Immediate suppression	Emergency — rounds needed NOW, use known TRP

3. Target Location

Provide the target location using one of three methods:

Grid: 8-digit MGRS grid of the target.

"Grid 4QFJ 12345678"

Polar plot: Direction (magnetic azimuth) and distance from observer, with altitude difference.

"Direction 3200, distance 800, over."

Shift from a known point (TRP): Direction and distance shift from a pre-registered TRP.

"From TRP AA, left 200, add 100, over."

4. Target Description

Describe what you are engaging — size, type, and activity.

"Enemy infantry squad in the open, moving east, over."

5. Method of Engagement

Specify the desired ammunition and fuze.

Fuze	Effect
Quick (impact)	Ground burst, antipersonnel
Delay	Penetrates before detonating, bunkers/vehicles
Time/VT	Airburst, suppresses troops in the open

"HE, quick, 3 rounds, over."

6. Method of Control

Tell the FDC when you want the rounds.

• At my command: You will issue the fire command
• When ready: Fire as soon as ready
• Time on target: Specify exact time of impact (H+12)

"At my command, over."

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Receiving the Fire Mission

The FDC reads back the mission. Confirm accuracy, then issue fire:

"FIRE, out."

When rounds are in the air, the FDC transmits: "SHOT, out." You respond: "SHOT, out."

At impact: "SPLASH, out." Begin observation.

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Adjustments

If rounds miss, transmit:

1. Deviation correction: "Left/Right [distance in meters]"
2. Range correction: "Add/Drop [distance in meters]"
3. Repeat or add: "Repeat" or "Fire for effect"

"Left 100, add 50, fire for effect, over."

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Integration in Dark Dot

Place TRPs on the terrain plan before the operation. When requesting fire, reference the TRP designator to reduce transmission time. Log fire missions in the objectives panel to track what has been engaged and BDA status.