Air-to-Surface Comm STDS (ASE - 4)

Question 1

MOVER–

Answer 1

Unidentified surface vehicles in motion

Question 2

(Target/object) CAPTURED–

Answer 2

Aircrew has acquired and is able to track a specified air-to-surface (A/S) target with an on-board sensor.

Question 3

LOWDOWN–

Answer 3

Request to provide tactical ground information pertinent to the mission.

Question 4

ROTATOR–

Answer 4

Moving target indicator (MTI) return that signifies a high probability of a rotating antenna.

Question 5

CONTACT–

Answer 5

Acknowledges sighting of specific reference point either visually or via sensor

Question 6

SCRUB–

Answer 6

(MTI) Return that signifies a low, slow airborne target.

Question 7

SKUNK–

Answer 7

A radar or visual maritime surface contact whose identity is unknown.

Question 8

ROBBER–

Answer 8

A surface vessel that is identified as an enemy IAW theater ID criteria. The term does not necessarily imply clearance to engage.

Question 9

ABORT–

Answer 9

Directive call to cease action, attack, event, or mission and is directive for all flight members to immediately execute a departure from tactic in process.

Question 10

APPROVED–

Answer 10

Request is granted and there are no known traffic/constraints. Used primarily on CAS-related frequencies /nets.

Question 11

INVESTIGATE–

Answer 11

Verify specified elements of ROE, PID, CDE and/or coordination of forces on the referenced track # or target.

Question 12

TARGET–

Answer 12

ROE, PID coordination of forces, and commanders’ guidance requirements on the referenced track/target have been satisfied / Track/target correlation and CDE must be accomplished prior to employing fires.

Question 13

SMACK–

Answer 13

Clearance to employ ordinance/fires on surface target coordinates. ROE, PID, CDE, coordination of forces and commanders guidance requirements on the referenced target/track have been satisfied. Not utilized in a CAS engagement.

Question 14

A/S CHECK-IN

Answer 14

Fighters will pass the following information at initial check-in with the controlling agency (e.g. ASOC AWACS, CRC or JSTARS) [A1.3.1.1, Format 13 J-Fire]

 Call sign

 Authentication as required

 Deviations or aborts affecting mission accomplishment

 Mission or weapons system alibis that affect mission accomplishment (such as ATP and VDL)

 Working frequency/net and TOD (if applicable)

 Weapons load out

Question 15

Communication Formats

Answer 15

AFTTP 3-1 General Planning addresses several different communication formats available to control an air-to-surface mission. We’ll focus on the A-G tasking utilizing the modified J-Fire 9-Line, Area of operations(AO) update, LOWDOWN, ISR voice tell format (SALT), target talk on, route screening, TACREP, pilot update code(PUC), imminent threat warning (ITW) and in-flight reports (IFR)/battle damage indications (BDI). There are several other communications formats that are covered in 3-1 such as area of operations update format and TTFACOR that will not be covered however they can be reviewed in 3-1 at A1.3.2, Close Air Support Communications Formats.

Question 16

MODIFIED J-FIRE 9-line

Answer 16

Line 4—ElevationLine

5—Target DescriptionLine

6—Target Location

+ REMARKS

Question 17

REQUIRED 9 LINE READBACK

Answer 17

4 / 6 / RESTRICTIONS

Question 18

REMARKS: THREATS

Answer 18

Threats will also be the first item passed in the remarks line and will be referenced off bull’s-eye, unless briefed otherwise.

Question 19

LOWDOWN

Answer 19

Lowdown is a request to provide tactical ground information pertinent to the mission in digital bullseye format

Question 20

LOWDOWN PRIORITY ORDER

Answer 20

1. Active/awake or previously (defined as within the last eight hours) active/awake strategic SAMs that were **not part of the briefed enemy order of battle (EOB). **
2. Any active/awake/rotating or previously (defined as within the last hour) active/awake/rotating _tactical SAM’s. _

Question 21

CORE INFORMATION

Answer 21

Core information will include the number of mover sets, location, and direction of travel. Target location will primarily be referenced from bullseye. Direction of travel will be provided using the eight cardinal directions.

Question 22

SALT​

Answer 22

The SALT format is Size, Activity, Location, and Time and is typically used with surveillance track reporting.

vehicles (VS SALUTE for personnel)

Question 23

TACREP

Answer 23

A COMINT (air activity)

E ELINT

G COMINT (ground activity)

H HUMINT

I IMINT or non-imaging IR

_J Radar-MTI _

_P PDS-derived information _

R CAOC

Question 24

Imminent Threat Warning (ITW)

Answer 24

ITW is a surface-to-air threat warning from a C2ISR platform to a friendly asset. ITW will be passed when a friendly aircraft is within 5 NM of the maximum effective range cited in the AFTTP 3-1 threat guide or the briefed maximum effective range of any active, awake, launching or firing threat.

If a fighter has reported MUD, DEFENDING or SINGER to a specified threat, no ITW is required for it.

Question 25

A/S Check OUT (Req’d AWO tasks)

Answer 25

Gather battle damage assessment (BDA), as applicable

Copy and relay in-flight report

Question 26

Battle Damage Indications (BDI)

Answer 26

BDI will be IAW JCAS IFR guidelines

Line 1: Call sign

Line 2: Mission number

Line 3: Location

Line 4: Time on target

Line 5 Results

Remarks