OPS120K, Observers

Question 1

Identify methods of attack

Answer 1

BOT & BOC

Question 2

Describe duties and responsibilities of TACP, JTAC, FAC(A), and JFO

Answer 2

TACP

• Liason: Advise their respective ground commanders on the capability and limitations of airpower.
• Control: Provide the primary terminal attack control of CAS.

JTAC

• Know enemy situation and location of friendly and civilians.
• Know supported CC’s intent, target priority, desired effects, and timing of fires.
• Validate targets of opportunity.
• Advise commander on proper employment of air assets.
• Submit immediate air support requests for CAS.
• provide terminal attack control.
• Integrate aircraft and fires with CAS sorties.
• Provide initial BDA.

FAC(A)
Brief
Automatically pass information such as
 - Operational area updates (SIT UPDATE and 9 line)
- CAS briefs.
- BDA

Stack

• Deconflict all CAS assets from surface fires, as weel as provide deconfliction for assets upon check in.
• Deconflict will include holding, ingress and egress routings, and target areas

Mark
- provide target marks for CAS attacks.

Control

• Provide final release authority to attacking aircraft if delegated this authority by the JTAC.
• JTAC retains abort authority.

JFO

• Request, adjust and control surface to surface fires.
• Provide timely and accurate CAS targeting information to a JTAC / FAC(A), or directly to aircraft when authorized by the controlling JTAC / FAC(A).
• Provide autonomous terminal guidance operations /TGO) providing electronics, mechanical, voice, or visual comms for approaching aircraft and/or weapons.
• JTAC / FAC(A) with weapon release authority is required to provide terminal attack control for CAS missions.

Question 3

Identify aircraft currently used in FAC(A) role

Answer 3

USN: F/A-18
USMC: F/A-18
USMC: AH-1Z, UH-1Y
USMC: AV-8B
USAF: A-10C
USAF: F-16CM