Which statement describes the relationship between ACO and FSCMs?

• A. ACO replaces FSCMs
• B. ACO does not replace FSCMs
• C. ACO includes FSCMs and replaces others
• D. FSCMs are unrelated to ACO

Answer: (B)

ACOs govern how airspace is allocated and used to keep air operations deconflicted with other activities, while FSCMs (fire support coordination measures) control how indirect fires and close air support are planned and executed to avoid fratricide and interference with friendly forces. These are separate systems of coordination that work together. An ACO does not override or replace existing FSCMs; you still must follow FSCMs even as you implement ACO directives. Planners integrate both: airspace rules from the ACO plus fire support constraints from FSCMs. That’s why the correct understanding is that an ACO does not replace FSCMs.