What identifies whether the effects of the fires are sufficient to support the Joint Force Commander's objectives?

The correct choice emphasizes the process of targeting as a critical function in determining if the effects of fires align with and support the Joint Force Commander's objectives. Targeting involves identifying the enemy's vulnerabilities and selecting the appropriate weapons and systems to effectively engage those targets while considering desired effects and outcomes. Through this systematic approach, targeting ensures that fire support operations are not only conducted efficiently but also contribute directly to achieving specific operational goals.

Targeting evaluates the effectiveness of coordinated fire support by carefully analyzing and aligning the fire missions with the Joint Force Commander's intent. This ensures that all actions taken on the battlefield are purposeful and contribute to the overarching strategy.

Other options do not provide the same level of precision in assessing the adequacy of fire effects in relation to mission objectives. Mission planning focuses on the broader strategy, while engagement criteria outline the rules for using forces during engagements. Operation goals simply define the desired end state but do not measure how effectively fire support contributes to achieving those goals. Thus, targeting stands out as the process that directly identifies and assesses the sufficiency of fire effects to meet the commander's objectives.