Artillery observer
（重定向自Forward observation post）
![Danish artillery observer using a thermal imaging camera and a laser rangefinder in a live fire exercise](/Images/godic/202501/14/Artillery_observer0401.jpg")
![Calling in and Adjusting Artillery Fire on a Target](/Images/godic/202501/14/785px_Arty_Call_for_Fire_10401.jpg")
![A U.S. Marine artillery forward observer in a tree to get a better view of the battlefield in Guadalcanal, 1942.](/Images/godic/202501/14/GuadKoliPointForwardObserver0401.jpg")
![British and French artillery observers Battle of Langemarck, 1917](/Images/godic/202501/14/British_and_French_artillery_observers_Battle_of_Langemarck_1917_IWM_Q_27230401.jpg")
A military artillery observer or spotter is responsible for directing artillery and mortar fire onto a target, and may be a Forward Air Controller (FAC) for close air support and spotter for naval gunfire support. Also known as "Forward Observer", "Fire Support Specialist", or "FISTer". Most commonly observers accompany a tank or infantry manoeuvre unit. More recently a mission controller for an Army Unmanned Air System (UAS) may also act as an artillery observer and some armies use special artillery patrols behind the enemy's forward elements.