The Joint Fire Support Training Centre in Toruń was audited by an accreditation commission subordinate to the United States Department of Defense. The facility, which operates within the Centre for Artillery and Armed Forces Training, trains combined firewatchers. The Commission assessed that it was implementing the programme in line with the advanced standards of abroad partners.
JFO (Joint Fires Observer – JFO) is simply a soldier with authority to summon and coordinate artillery fire. Its tasks are besides to guide aviation towards the mark (TGO) and to supply the data needed for direct aviation support (CAS). This second task requires JFO to cooperate with the advanced aviation guidance navigator (Joint Terminal Attack Controller – JTAC).
In the Joint Fire Support Training Centre (OSPWO), which is part of Centre for Artillery and Armed Forces Training in Toruń, accredited JFO training has been conducted since 2018. “So far we have trained about 70 combined fire observers,” says Lt. Milena Kulińska, a press officer of the Toruń centre. He stresses that the JFO course is not only learning to operate according to combined fire procedures, including call for fire procedures, but besides advanced training in topography, radio correspondence in Polish and English, and reflection and designation of equipment of armies of another countries.
In November, the accreditation committee looked at the work of the TSOWO to check whether the centre was operating in accordance with the requirements and restrictions described in the Joint Fires Observer Memorandum of knowing (JFOMOU). It's a regular action that's repeated all 3 years. “The members of the accreditation squad delegation were representatives of the Joint Fires Support Executive Steering Committee (JFSESC), representing the United States Department of Defense,” said Lieutenant Kulińska.
The visit of the accreditation squad at the Toruń Centre lasted 5 days. During this time, the committee assessed the qualifications of teaching staff, logistics and method facilities of the centre, simulator devices, schoolroom equipment, but besides the way and quality of theoretical and applicable classes by instructors. Delegates looked at future firewatchers combined during simulator training and training on the training ground, where the trainers injured the targets with artillery and with chopper weapons. applicable classes besides included providing data on objectives for JTACs while performing the CAS mission.
What assessment did the Americans make? "The Commission has recognised that the centre meets all the requirements of JFO training and exceeds them in any respects. These solutions will be recommended for introduction in another global JFO training centres. It has besides assessed that the soldiers trained by the Toruń centre get expertise and expertise and that the privileges conferred at the centre are recognised by all JFOMOU signatories’, informs OSWO.
