FO Platoon (Tulenjohtue)*
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An FO platoon has 3 FO sections of 5 men (FO Officer, FO NCO, FO soldier (measures the range to target) and two signal specialists (radio/field message device, SANLA). These platoons can be found in most infantry based units on company level, but also in higher level of the organization, from where they can be attached to any unit to bolster its FO capability.*
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In a normal situation, the company CO and company FO CO (along with 1 of the FO sections) work as a team. The other 2 sections are attached to platoons, where the section FO Officers and platoon leaders form a team. Platoon FOs plan the use of indirect fire on the platoon's AOR according to platoon leader's orders. Same applies on company level, with the FO CO also giving out the amount of available artillery fires for each platoon (FO section) from the company's allowed fires.*
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During combat the FO sections call down indirect fires according to platoon leader's/CO's orders. The type of target decides which of the supporting fire units is used. In the Finnish artillery system a single FO section may call down coordinated indirect fire from multiple units to single target within minutes, without any special preparations. All the FO needs is a working connection to any relay station in the area, from where the fire command is relayed onwards.*
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The FO platoon has same transportation as the Company it belongs to. Other equipment is radios, SANLAs and other signal equipment (field telephones, field cable etc.) needed to get a working connection, as well as special equipment needed in the FO duties, such as Laser Range Finders (LRF), optics etc.*