C2-102K, Amphibious Tactical Air Control System

Question 1

Identify the person who controls the amphibious objective area (AOA) airspace.

Answer 1

Commander Amphibious Task Force (CATF) owns ATACS.

Question 2

Identify the two separate, but similar, systems that make up the ATACS.

Answer 2

Afloat, Navy Tactical Air Control System (NTACS) and Ashore, Marine Air Command and Control System (MACCS).

Question 3

Describe the functions performed by the Air Traffic Control Section (ATCS) of the NTACS.

Answer 3

Controls all aircraft entering, operating in or traversing the AOA.

Question 4

Describe the functions performed by the Air Support Control Section (ASCS) of the NTACS.

Answer 4

Works with Supporting Arms Coordination Center (SACC)

Similar to ASOC in the TACS/AAGS

Question 5

Describe the functions performed by the Helicopter Coordination Section (HCS) of the NTACS.

Answer 5

Coordinates Amphibious Air Traffic Control Center (AATCC) operations.
Resolves conflicts between AATCCs.
AATCC at each ship.

Question 6

Describe the functions performed by the Air Defense Section (ADS) of the NTACS.

Answer 6

Performs and Anti Air Warfare (AAW) staff function for CATF.
Coordinates between CATF and Air Defense Commander (ADC)
Similar to airspace/air defense personnel in the AOC.

Question 7

Describe the functions performed by the Plans, Execution and Support Section (PESS) of the NTACS.

Answer 7

• Communications support
• Current and future plans
• Data, ATO input or production, and reports.

Question 8

Describe the functions performed by the Tactical Air Command Center (TACC) of the MACCS.

Answer 8

• Senior agency of the MACCS
• Centralized C2
• HQ for the Tactical Air Commander (TAC)
• Current and future OPS sections
• Equivalent to AOC in TACS/AAGS

Question 9

Describe the functions performed by the Tactical Air Operations Center (TAOC) of the MACCS.

Answer 9

• Decentralized execution of AW; senior land-radar agency.
• Air defense and airspace control in sectors
• Controls AW and surface-to-air weapons
• Equivalent to CRC in TACS/AAGS

Question 10

Describe the functions performed by the Direct Air Support Center (DASC) of the MACCS.

Answer 10

• Execution of immediate CAS and assault support
• Equivalent to ASOC
• Procedural control only - no radar assets
• Collocated with Fire Support Coordination Center (FSCC)
  (FSCC equivalent to FC)

Question 11

Describe the functions performed by the Tactical Air Coordinator (Airborne) (TAC(A)) of the MACCS.

Answer 11

• Airborne extension of the DASC
• Coordinates CAS
• Provides handoffs to terminal controllers
• Coordinates combined arms fires
• Deconflicts aircraft flow to TACP
• TAC(A) is NOT the same as FAC(A).

Question 12

Describe the functions performed by the Assault Support Coordinator (Airborne) (ASC(A))of the MACCS.

Answer 12

• Coordinates airspace and assault support operations
• Coordinates movement of aircraft through airspace
• Coordinates CAS supporting helicopter-borne assault operations

Question 13

Describe the functions performed by the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) of the MACCS.

Answer 13

• Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC)
• Pilots, NFOs or Staff NCO (or higher) Combat Arms
• Trained at USMC/USN TACP school

Question 14

Describe the functions performed by the Forward Air Controller (Airborne) (FAC(A)) of the MACCS.

Answer 14

• Airborne extension of the ground FAC
• Performs: air reconnaissance and surveillance, terminal control of CAS, artillery, naval gun fire, radio relay

FAC(A) is NOT the same as TAC(A)!

Question 15

Match the TACS/AAGS Air Operations Center (AOC) with its functional counterparts in NTACS and MACCS.

Answer 15

NTACS: Tactical Air Control Center
MACCS: Tactical Air Command Center

Question 16

Match the TACS/AAGS Control and Reporting Center (CRC) with its functional counterparts in NTACS and MACCS.

Answer 16

NTACS: Air Defense Commander
MACCS: Tactical Air Operations Center

Question 17

Match the TACS/AAGS Air Support Operations Center (ASOC) with its functional counterparts in NTACS and MACCS.

Answer 17

NTACS: Air Support Control Section
MACCS: Direct Air Support Center

Question 18

Match the TACS/AAGS Fires Cell with its functional counterparts in NTACS and MACCS.

Answer 18

NTACS: Supporting Arms Coordination Center
MACCS: Fire Support Coordination Center

Question 19

Describe the functions performed by Tactical Air Control Center for the NTACS.

Answer 19

Senior naval air control agency.

Equivalent to AOC in AAGS TACS.