Aviation Employment (CAS)

Question 1

12-step process for CAS

Answer 1

(1) Routing/Safety of Flight
(2) CAS Aircraft Check-in
(3) Situation Update
(4) Game Plan
(5) CAS Brief
(6) Remarks/Restrictions
(7) Readbacks
(8) Correlation
(9) Attack
(10) Assess Effectiveness of the Attack (repeat steps 4-9 as necessary)
(11) Battle Damage Assessment (BDA)
(12) Routing/Safety of Flight

Question 2

CAS Players

Answer 2

• Aircraft - fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft
• Marine Air Command and Control System (MACCS)
• FAC (Forward Air Controller)
• JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller)
• Terminal Controller
• FAC(A) Forward Air Controller (Airborne)
• JFO (Joint Fires Observer)

Question 3

CAS Aircraft Check In - JTAC will provide a current situation update

Answer 3

Unit mission
Enemy disposition
Threat activity in target area
Weather (if required)
Friendly positions
Current Fire Support Coordination Measures (FSCMs)

Question 4

Game Plan for CAS

Answer 4

1. Includes the type of attack, method of attack, and an ordnance request
2. Method of Attack
3. Types of Attack
4. Ordnance - weapon to target match

Question 5

Method of Attack

Answer 5

Ask yourself, “In order to create the desired effects, does the pilot need to visually acquire the mark/target?”

• If the answer is NO, it will be a BOC attack
• If the answer is YES, it will be a BOT attack

Question 6

Types of Attack

Answer 6

3 types: I, II, III - they are not ordinance specific

Question 7

Type I

Answer 7

Use Type I control when the risk assessment requires them to visually acquire the attacking aircraft and the target under attack
Cleared hot when:
They have visually acquired the target
They have ensured the attack will not affect friendlies by visual acquisition and analysis of attack geometry/nose position to determine weapon impact point
The attack aircraft has visually acquired the target or mark (BOT only)

Question 8

Type II

Answer 8

Used when the terminal controller desires control of individual attacks but assesses that a condition under Type I control is not required
Need observation on the target, AND at least one condition:
Visual acquisition of the attacking aircraft by the terminal controller at weapons release/launch is not required
Visual acquisition of the target by the terminal controller at weapons release/launch is not required
When it is not necessary for attacking aircraft to be in a position to acquire the mark or target prior to weapons release/launch.

Question 9

Type III - least restrictive

Answer 9

Used when the terminal controller requires the ability to provide clearance for multiple attacks within a single engagement subject to specific attack restrictions
Grant a “blanket” weapons release clearance to an aircraft

Question 10

CAS 9-line brief

Answer 10

Line 1: IP/BP: initial point (for fixed-wing), battle position(for rotary-wing)
Line 2: Heading
Line 3: Distance
Line 4: Target Elevation
Line 5: Target Description
Line 6: Target Location
Line 7: Mark
Line 8: Friendlies
Line 9: Egress

Question 11

Terminal Control

Answer 11

• Continue
• Visual
• Contact
• Tally
• “In” Call
• Abort
• Cleared Hot
• Cleared to Engage
• Continue Dry
• Clearance to drop/fire
• Corrections
• Re-attacks
• BDA - Battle damage assessment