Many in our Army, particularly fire supporters, are talking about synchronizing effects in support of the maneuver commander. While this is not a new concept, truly integrating lethal and nonlethal fires and effects to achieve the commander's intent can be a daunting task. The Combined Joint Task Force 180 (CJTF-180) in Afghanistan is executing a method for synchronizing joint fires and effects, which not only meets the CJTF commander's intent, but also has served as a model for lethal and nonlethal integration throughout Central Command (CENTCOM). Within the CJTF-180 staff, the joint fires element (JFE) uses fused intelligence to identify opportunities to conduct integrated operations along three lines: Enable Afghan institutions to thrive, Help remove the causes of instability and Deny the enemy sanctuary and counter terrorism. This article describes the process and organizational structure for CJTF-180's effects-based operations (EBO), the impact EBO is having on meeting the commander's intent and the future of fire supporters moving forward as enthusiastic proponents of EBO. EBO Defined. US Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) defines an effect as 'the physical, functional or psychological outcome, event or consequence that results from specific military or nonmilitary actions.' EBO is 'A process for obtaining a desired strategic outcome or 'effect' on the enemy through the synergistic, multiplicative and cumulative application of the full range of military and nonmilitary capabilities at the tactical, operational and strategic levels.'.
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