What are "joint fires" in the context of LSCO?

Joint fires refer to the coordination and integration of weapon systems from multiple military branches to create a more effective combat response. In the context of Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO), joint fires are crucial as they enable different service components—such as the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps—to work together seamlessly. This collaboration enhances the overall effectiveness of combat operations by ensuring that air, land, and naval firepower can be synchronized to support ground forces, disrupt enemy formations, and achieve strategic objectives.

The concept of joint fires emphasizes the value of combining diverse capabilities from various military branches to maximize lethal and non-lethal effects on the battlefield. It allows for a broader range of tactics and applications, from close air support to naval bombardment, enabling forces to adapt to changing conditions in a dynamic combat environment.

Other options do not encapsulate the essence of joint fires appropriately. Coordination of supply lines across multiple services, for example, focuses on logistics rather than direct combat engagement, while independent operations by support units do not reflect the integration aspect that is central to joint fires. Additionally, artillery operations targeting only air targets limits the broader strategic approach that joint fire coordination aims to achieve.