text: FM 7-100.1________________________________________________________________________________
  COMMAND AND CONTROL
  7-14. The nature of fire support units, with assets capable of long ranges and
  their potential wide influence and flexibility on the battlefield, requires that
  C2 be more complex than for maneuver units. The ability to engage and de-
  stroy targets at longer ranges has generally resulted in C2 being retained at a
  high level of command in order to maximize overall effectiveness. However,
  the requirement for a rapid response between the detection of targets and their
  subsequent engagement requires C2 to be exercised at a low level of command.
  Low-level C2 facilitates accurate judgement in both the timing of engagements
  and the fire support adjustments as the combat situation develops. The OPFOR
  instituted the IFC as the principal fire support C2 structure to ensure flexibility
  of C2 and response in meeting the fire support challenges on future battlefields.
  CHIEF OF INTEGRATED FIRES
  7-15. Within the operations section of the operational-strategic command
  (OSC) staff, there is a chief of integrated fires. This officer is responsible for
  coordinating and advising the commander on the effective integration of C2
  and RISTA means with fire support means (including precision fires) to sup-
  port the overall operation plan. He controls, but does not command, the fire
  support units subordinate to or supporting the OSC. He advises the OSC
  commander on how best to use available fire support assets.
  INTEGRATED FIRES COMMAND
  7-16. The IFC is a combination of a standing C2 structure and task organiza-
  tion of constituent and dedicated fire support units. All division-level and
  above OPFOR organizations possess an IFC C2 structurestaff, CPs,
  communications and intelligence architecture, and automated fire control
  system. The IFC exercises C2 of all constituent and dedicated fire support
  assets retained by its level of command. This can include Air Force, army
  aviation, artillery, and SSM units. It also exercises C2 over all RISTA assets
  constituent or dedicated to it. There is one IFC per OSC.
  7-17. An OSC-level IFC is capable of engaging designated operational and
  strategic targets. However, there are circumstances where an IFC may be
  formed at the theater level. For example, the theater could have two separate
  campaigns, requiring a centralization of critical fire support assets at theater
  level to achieve the strategic or theater campaign objectives. When this oc-
  curs, the theater commander forms a theater-level IFC commanded by the
  deputy theater commander. This IFC exercises C2 over all fire support assets
  retained at the theater level of command.
  7-18. The mission of the IFC is to execute all fire support tasks required to
  accomplish the mission of the command to which the IFC belongs. The IFC is
  designed to
  • Exploit the combat power inherent in carefully integrated ground and
  air fire support actions.
  • Reduce to the absolute minimum the amount of time from target acqui-
  sition to engagement.