Forward Air Controller

Deployments: 210
Members: 40
Hours in role: 651
First deployed: Nov 2019
Last deployed: Oct 2026

The role

The JTAC or Forward Air Controller ("FAC") is a player who is tasked with coordinating air elements in the support of ground forces and frequently is assigned to the company headquarters element. The FAC is expected to be knowledgeable in the employment of any CAS elements, be they fixed-wing (jets) or rotary-wing (helicopters). The more familiar the FAC is with the aircraft, the better they will be able to direct its employment. The best FACs have extensive experience as a CAS aircraft pilot.

Played on: Arma 3

Arma Reforger

Arma 4

Played on every supported platform.
Claimed before release: 89%; the rest usually within 3 days
The last year: 20; times deployed
Busiest month: Dec; December 2025, deployed 5 times
Per operation: 1; on average, across 200 operations

Estimated The Forward Air Controller role card 47 documents, 88 required passages Read

In the ORBAT

ORBAT rules

All ORBAT rules

Named in other rules

Squad Advisory Holds at most one Forward Air Controller. Names Forward Air Controller: shown on the Forward Air Controller too. Operations · Every platform
Platoon Advisory Holds at most 2 Forward Air Controllers. Names Forward Air Controller: shown on the Forward Air Controller too. Operations · Every platform
Rotary Pilot (Attack) Advisory Needs a Forward Air Controller or a Joint Fires Observer anywhere in the ORBAT. Crosses areas Names Forward Air Controller, in Communication and Joint Fires Observer, in Communication: shown on each too. Operations · Every platform
Rotary Pilot (Multi) Advisory Needs a Forward Air Controller or a Joint Fires Observer anywhere in the ORBAT. Crosses areas Names Forward Air Controller, in Communication and Joint Fires Observer, in Communication: shown on each too. Operations · Every platform
Fixed-wing Pilot (CAS) Advisory Needs a Forward Air Controller or a Joint Fires Observer anywhere in the ORBAT. Crosses areas Names Forward Air Controller, in Communication and Joint Fires Observer, in Communication: shown on each too. Operations · Every platform
Fixed-wing Pilot (Multi-role) Advisory Needs a Forward Air Controller or a Joint Fires Observer anywhere in the ORBAT. Crosses areas Names Forward Air Controller, in Communication and Joint Fires Observer, in Communication: shown on each too. Operations · Every platform
UAS Operator (Attack/Reconnaissance) Advisory Needs a Forward Air Controller or a Joint Fires Observer anywhere in the ORBAT. Crosses areas Names Forward Air Controller, in Communication and Joint Fires Observer, in Communication: shown on each too. Operations · Every platform