A fire support team (FST) is a British Army unit responsible for directing artillery fire and close air support (ground attack by attack aircraft) onto enemy positions. The term FST replaced the previous name of Forward Observation Party and reflects the inclusion of fires other than artillery into their control.
The FST can comprise six people:
- A FST Commander
- The Team 2IC (second in command) - known as an Ack.
- A Forward Air Controller to terminally control Close Air Support (CAS) and manage airspace.
- Signallers
- Drivers
References
- "Taliban fear the "Dragon"".
In addition, a Fire Support Team of a further four 8 Battery gunners use their excellent observation point to direct air strikes, attack helicopters and Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) accurately and quickly onto targets.
- "Artillery Soldier". MoD. Archived from the original on 2009-03-31.
GUNNER Obs Post as part of a Fire Support Team. Part of a tight knit six man team, working on the front line embedded in a manoeuvre unit. Trained to plan and coordinate fire from artillery, naval guns and mortars as well as control attack helicopters and fast jets. Kit includes image intensifiers, thermal sights, MSTAR man portable radar and UHF/VHF/HF radios. There are FSTs in all AS90 and Lt Gun Regts (inc Para and Cdo).