Tactical and Mission Operations Flashcards
FIRING TECHNIQUES
- RUNNING FIRE
- DIVING FIRE
- HOVER
- LOW ALTITUDE BUMP
- RUNNING/DIVING FIRE INITIAL POINT
FORMATION SEPERATION
COMBAT CRUISE
Combat cruise is used when teams wish to move quickly and maximize use of terrain for masking. Combat cruise allows the wingman flexibility in maneuvering the aircraft left or right of the lead aircraft’s centerline. The wingman should never track in straight trail as it limits forward observation and the ability to provide suppressive fires for lead. It also increases the possibility that the lead’s presence has alerted the enemy to the wingman’s flight path. Separation should be 150 meters or more depending on terrain and threat
Combat cruise formation is:
- Preferable at very low altitudes for long flights breaking up the predictability of the formation and permitting optimal terrain flight using masking terrain.
- Preferable during day and high visibility weather when small arms fire threat is substantial.
- Standard formation for SWT employment.
COMBAT CRUISE LEFT/RIGHT
Unlike combat cruise, combat cruise right/left requires the wingman remain in either right or left cruise and change sides only after coordinating with the lead aircraft. Using combat cruise right/left, the wingman remains in an arc 0 to 90 degrees aft abeam of lead to the left or right side. Optimum position is 45 degrees. Separation should be 150 meters or more depending on terrain and threat. Observation sectors are divided between lead and wing providing overlapping observation and fire.
Combat cruise right/left formation:
- Is preferable at very low altitudes for long flights breaking up predictability of formation and permitting optimal terrain flight using masking terrain.
- Is preferable to combat cruise when weather and night vision systems are marginal, but threat is still high.
- Can be used at night for larger formations as an alternative to echelon when NVG are used.
COMBAT SPREAD
Combat spread promotes security by providing maximum firepower forward and overlapping fields of view (FOVs). When flight lead announces combat spread, he includes the command left or right. Wingmen should move toward that abeam position, either lead’s 3 or 9 o’clock position. Flying in combat spread requires a rapid scan to maintain SA of the other aircraft as well as approaching terrain; this requires even more vigilance at night.
- Can be used when maximum observation to the front is desirable or when attempting to limit exposure of the flight when crossing open areas.
- May be used en route to minimize vulnerability of trail aircraft.
- Are not advised for use in the objective area when constant maneuvering is required.
- Increase pilot workload to maintain formation, especially under night vision systems.
ATTACK BY FIRE
The purpose of these positions is to mass the effects of direct fire systems for one or multiple locations toward the enemy. An attack by fire position does not indicate the specific site. Attack by fire positions are rarely applicable to units larger than company size.
SUPPORT BY FIRE
The purpose of these positions is to increase the supported force’s freedom of maneuver by placing direct fires on an objective that is going to be assaulted by a friendly force. Support by fire positions are located within the maximum friendly direct-fire range of the enemy positions.
FIRING POSITION SELECTION
This task guides the crew during deliberate and hasty attack planning. The crew utilizes NORMA as a starting guide to select optimum attack by fire (ABF) for multiple attack helicopters and background, range to target, altitude, sun, shadows, cover and concealment, rotorwash, adequate maneuver area, fields of fire (BRASSCRAF) to select optimal individual attack helicopter firing positions. Both friendly and enemy weapon systems are affected by their respective WEZ.
- R-MIN: Minimum engagement range.
- R-MAX: Maximum engagement range.
- Azimuth (left/right) limits: Lateral engagement limits or fields of fire modified by surrounding terrain and natural or man-made obstacles.
- Elevation limits: Vertical engagement limits of the system modified by surrounding terrain and natural or man-made obstacles.
FUNDAMENTALS OF RECONNAISSANCE
- Gain and maintain enemy contact.
- Orient on the reconnaissance objective.
- Report all information rapidly and accurately.
- Retain freedom to maneuver.
- Develop the situation rapidly.
- Ensure maximum reconnaissance force forward.
- Ensure continuous reconnaissance.
GAIN AND MAINTAINE ENEMY CONTACT
Contact is any condition ranging from an initial sighting during surveillance to physical contact while engaging in close combat. Contact reduces the threat’s ability to achieve surprise. The degree of contact desired is determined before the mission begins. Once contact is made, it is not voluntarily broken; orders must be received to break contact or be defined in the bypass criteria of the OPORD.
ORIENT ON THE RECONNAISSANCE OBJECTIVE
Orient on the location or movement of the reconnaissance objective. The objective may be a terrain feature, control measure, locality, or a threat force. Aerial reconnaissance orients on the objective and positions itself to retain freedom of maneuver. Units remain focused on reaching the reconnaissance objective regardless of what is encountered during the mission.
REPORT ALL INFORMATION RAPIDLY AND ACCURATLY
Attack reconnaissance units work to report all information rapidly and accurately. Delayed, inaccurate, or misdirected information may lead to missed opportunities or poor decisions. Information that initially appears unimportant may become valuable when combined in context with other data.
RETAIN FREEDOM TO MANEUVER
ARCs must retain the ability to maneuver to successfully complete their missions. The ARC obtains information by stealth when possible, but fights as necessary to accomplish the mission. Overwatch, suppressive fires, cunning, and constant awareness of the tactical situation help retain freedom to maneuver. Decisive engagement occurs when the company is fully committed and cannot maneuver or extricate itself. If the ARC is decisively engaged, reconnaissance stops and a battle for survival begins. Attack reconnaissance teams must have clear commander’s guidance concerning engagement, disengagement, and bypass criteria that support the maneuver commander’s intent.
DEVELOP THE SITUATION
While conducting reconnaissance, ARCs frequently encounter tactical situations requiring immediate actions on contact and rapid situation development. These tactical dilemmas may concern terrain obstructions or threat activities. If an obstacle is encountered, the attack reconnaissance unit must determine the type and extent of the obstacle, and whether it is covered by fire. Obstacles can provide information concerning the location of threat forces, weapon capabilities, and organization of fires. If a threat force is encountered, the ARC determines its size, composition, disposition, activities, and movement. In most cases, the attack reconnaissance team developing the situation immediately employs actions on contact by deploying to cover, reporting, maintaining observation, and developing the situation.
ENSURE MAXIMUM RECCONNAISANCE FORCE FORWARD
Attack reconnaissance assets are most valuable when providing essential operational environment information. The optimal number of intelligence-gathering assets should be employed in the reconnaissance effort. To do this, the assets must be positioned as far forward as METT-TC, combat support, and sustainment factors allow with maximum UAS integration. This does not mean company assets are always arrayed in a linear fashion. Depth is essential, especially in restricted terrain or a contaminated environment.
