What is meant by "joint fires" in targeting?

"Joint fires" refers to the coordinated use of multiple military branches' firepower to achieve specific operational objectives. This concept is vital in modern military operations where success often hinges on the seamless integration of capabilities from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other components. By synchronizing actions, these branches can generate a greater cumulative effect than if they operated independently. The coordination allows for optimized targeting, improved responses, and enhanced support for ground forces, ensuring that fires are applied effectively and efficiently during combat scenarios.

In contrast, independent operations performed by separate military branches do not adequately capture the essence of joint fires, as they lack the necessary coordination to maximize effectiveness. Evaluating the effectiveness of previous attacks is an important task but not directly related to the concept of joint fires itself. Similarly, a training program for combined operations focuses on preparing forces to work together but does not specifically define the operational aspect of coordinated fires across branches.