159th Combat Aviation Brigade Attack Air: Operations
159th Combat Aviation Brigade Attack Air: Operations
Types of missions. Direct Action Air Escort Ground Escort Close Air Support
Types of missions explained. Direct Action: Aircraft are deployed forward to engage and destroy the enemy; this can be in support of a strategic offensive, or to cover a retrograde movement. Aircraft on Direct Action missions are typically not tasked with supporting nearby friendly ground forces. Air Escort: Aircraft are tasked with escorting other aircraft through a combat zone in order to facilitate the completion of their mission. Implied tasks may include recon of the flight path, clearing or security of an LZ and PZ, as well as support for any troops deployed from transport aircraft. Ground Escort: Aircraft are tasked with escorting a ground convoy from one point to another. Implied tasks are providing recon of the route, route clearance, and protection of the convoy. Close Air Support: Aircraft will be deployed to specifically support ground forces operations.
Methods of Attack. High Energy Low Energy High Cover Trail Cover
Methods of Attack Explained. High Energy: speed, surprise, and initiative are used to maneuver aircraft onto a battlefield in order to facilitate the rapid destruction of enemy forces in such a way that they are denied the ability to respond quickly enough, or with enough force to cause critical damage to aircraft. Low Energy: Cover, Concealment, and maneuver are used in order to detect and systematically destroy enemy forces, while denying them the opportunity to target and engage friendly aircraft. High Cover: This method is used while protecting air or ground convoys. The aircraft are positioned well above and behind the vehicles being covered in order to provide the aircraft with a complete view of the battlefield and an unobstructed line of fire onto any enemies attacking the convoy. Trail Cover: This is used in conjunction with High Cover. One aircraft trails the formation far enough away to be out of sight of an enemy who has line of sight on the convoy being protected. If the convoy is engaged, the High Cover aircraft will provide suppressive fire on the target, while the Trail aircraft maneuvers to effectively destroy the threat from the enemies flank.
Employment of the Methods of Attack During Mission Direct Action Missions: Only two methods of attack may be utilized during direct action missions, High Energy and Low Energy. The two types of cover are not tactically feasible since those methods use attack air primarily as a deterrence from combat, rather than a method to engage and destroy the enemy. U.S. Army Attack helicopters are more suited to Low Energy attacks, however with the right employment High Energy attacks may be utilized to great effect. Typically Apache Helicopters will be deployed to engage large formations of enemy armor. They utilize stealth to maneuver into battle positions where they can employ their hellfire missiles from long distances. After engaging targets the apaches drop behind cover, and maneuver into new battle positions to further engage the enemy. Continually using stealth and speed to reposition themselves, Apaches are able to track and destroy enemy armor formations with ease using low energy attacks. almost any type of target can be effectively engaged in this manner and destroyed. The best way for Apaches to employ High Energy attacks is immediately following the initiation of an attack utilizing low energy tactics. In doing so, the initial volley of weapons fire (fired utilizing the concepts of low energy attacks) hits the enemy, surprising him, inflicting casualties and causing panic and disorder among his ranks. The Apaches then transition into a High Energy attack, appearing over the target and engaging further with its
weapons to inflict casualties in rapid succession. This method of attack is more suited to mixed formations of tanks and light vehicles. High energy attacks should only be used alone when the target is comprised completely of lightly armored or unarmored targets. Close Air Support: Depending on the nature of the situation either method of attack may be required, and must be quickly determined based on the information received from the JTAC. For Push and Preplanned CAS typically Low Energy attacks should be able to be used, and if proper planning was conducted should already be designated. For Immediate CAS, depending on the direness of the situation, Low Energy attacks may take too much time to setup and immediate strikes on the target may be required in order to save the lives of friendly ground troops. When utilizing High Energy Attacks in CAS missions, the utmost care must be taken to only expose the aircraft to the enemy for the least amount of time possible. as soon as the attack is completed the aircraft should be maneuvered into cover and out of view of the enemy as soon as possible. Air Escort: Due to the speed of operations during an Air Escort, Low energy attacks are not completely possible, however the spirit of those attacks are still primarily used. The aircraft cannot typically utilize cover and concealment from enemies, and so position themselves higher into the air. Utilizing the advanced optics and weapons systems the Apache carries, the increased altitude results in separation from enemies who attempt to attack the transport aircraft being escorted. This separation gives the Apache a commanding view of the targets, and allows it to dominate them from outside the reach of most weapons. High Energy attacks may be transitioned into from a High Cover in order to swoop down on an entrenched or fleeing enemy and destroy them. Trail Cover may also be used in order to achieve surprise, and effect complete annihilation of an unsuspecting enemy. The Apache flying Trail will fly low to the ground, and far enough behind the other aircraft so that it is not seen by enemy ground forces preparing to attack the transport aircraft. Once the enemy is detected, the Apache on High Cover suppresses the enemy and transmits the location of the enemy to the Apache in Trail. The Trail Apache will quickly maneuver to the rear or flank of the enemy and utilize a High Energy attack to dominate the targets. Ground Escort: The employment of Methods of Attack are similar to Air Escort, only except Low Energy attacks are more possible due to the slower speed of ground convoys. If ample cover is provided along the convoys route, The apaches may use a Bounding Overwatch type of movement, to leapfrog forward along the route, and provide cover from concealed positions. Utilizing High Cover is good if only light enemy contact is expected, and can deter the enemy from attacking in the first place. However if the enemy does attack, being in High Cover will allow the Apache to quickly ID and engage the targets. Utilizing Trail Cover can be equally
effective, however it must come quick enough so that it minimizes the amount of time the enemy has to engage the ground convoy.
Close Air Support Operations Immediate CAS: Aircraft tasked to provide Immediate CAS should fly well behind the combat zone and maintain a high rate of speed in order to quickly respond to any call across the battlefield. Upon receiving a 9-line CAS request, The Aircraft lead (occupying the gunner seat) will give a readback of all important information and any other info requested to be readback by the JTAC. Once all information is confirmed, the aircraft should move to the designated Initial Point (IP) and orient the aircraft so that as it crosses the IP the nose is pointed towards the azimuth to target given by the JTAC. Immediatley upon reaching the IP, the aircraft commander should notify the JTAC that he has reached the IP and is inbound on the target. The JTAC will at that time, signal you to continue on and attack the target by saying, "Cleared Hot", or he may tell you to disengage and maneuver away from the target zone by saying, " Wave off, Wave off, Wave off." Furthermore, if you receive the signal "Fence Closed," this means that the JTAC is requesting you to stay on station after completing the attack, in order to continue attacking targets in the vicinity of the initial target. this command will automatically initiate open communication between the aircraft and the JTAC until the command to release you is given, which is "Fence Open." upon receiving the fence open command, sending confirmation back is required, and upon doing so, communication is closed between the aircraft and the JTAC. Push CAS: this is almost identical to Immediate CAS, except that targets will be located in a predesignated combat area. This allows for a holding area to be setup nearby the combat zone, in order to lower response times for CAS engagements. Aircraft will maintain an airspeed between 60 and 100 knots per hour in "racetrack" pattern in the holding area. In planning Push CAS, battle positions may be designated nearby the holding area to allow for low energy attacks to be utilized if the target area poses a considerable threat to exposed attack helicopters. In this situation, the BP would replace the IP given in the 9-line. If the "fence closed" signal is given while employing low energy attacks from a Battle Position, use open communication with the JTAC to notify him of which BP you move to for each successive attack. Once the "Fence Open" signal is given, confirm it, and move back to the holding position, unless rearming/refueling is necessary.
Pre-Planned CAS: Aircraft are tasked out similar to a direct action, except it is in order to directly support an action conducted by ground troops. Targets will have been identified by previous recon, and each target will have precise grid co-ordinates designated. Order of targets to be engaged will be determined by position and threat. The attack will commence based off time, or the commanders signal, transmitted to the attack air through the JTAC. Typically Preplanned CAS employs low energy attacks which allows the aircraft to position themselves in positions that will allow all aircraft to attack at the same time in order to maximize inflicted casualties.
Gunner to pilot relations Once a 9-line has been received and a readback has been given to the JTAC and confirmed. The gunner should give the pilot a brief of what is going on and how the attack is going to go down. There is no need to repeat all of the 9 line verbatim to the pilot since he probably heard it himself anyway, and doesn't need all the information in the 9 line either. The most important thing for the pilot is a grid or other known point to move to, and whether that point is a BP or an IP. The pilot should already understand that if it's a BP, that means low energy attack, and if it's an IP then high energy attacks will be used. The type of attack as far as speed SHOULDNT need to be specified. The azimuth from that point is also important to the pilot. If none was given in the 9 line, it's the job of the gunner to determine what the azimuth should be. The pilot needs to know which way to face once he reaches that point, especially if its an IP. The distance to the target is somewhat important to the pilot. If the target is far away that gives the pilot a little room for maneuvering and he can come out of cover a little more to get a better shot on the target. However if the target is up close, the pilot should understand that staying behind cover is vital and very little room for maneuver is available. The elevation isn't really necessary and can be left out. The type of target is somewhat important, but more importantly you should brief what weapon you're going to use. If your attacking armor more often than not you'll be engaging it with hellfires. Sometimes the situation may deem it necessary to utilize the gun or even rockets on the target, and that will change how the pilot is going to fly. The target location isn't exactly necessary for the pilot, he already knows where he's going to put the bird for you, and the azimuth you want him to face, and the rough distance to the target, he should be able to figure out the general area of the target. The type of marking the JTAC is using isn't of much concern to the pilot, however if you want him to assist you in locating the mark it may be wise to let him know what mark is being used so he knows what he's going to be looking for. Location of friendlies he should already know if given in the 9 line, since it's in a distance and direction from the target, but if you feel it's important to brief, then do so. The egress azimuth, and remarks are very important to the pilot. Knowing which way to move after the attack is
complete is vital unless you want your pilot flying over enemy AA, or into friendly artillery rounds coming in. The remarks could also be of importance, knowing that the high energy attack using rockets that you're about to do is also a danger close mission might let the pilot know he needs to keep that aircraft flying straight and on target, or else there will be some nasty consequences. The general idea is that you need to let your pilot know where you need him to move, and how he is going to need to position the bird in order for you to hit your target. Letting your pilot know the danger of the threat, and how you intend on killing it can paint a better picture in his mind of how you want to conduct the attack. Once you feel comfortable that he understands what is going on, instruct him to proceed towards the starting point (a little note for the pilots, once you get the grid or title of your starting point, be it a BP or IP, go into the map and LShift+Lclick on the map at that point. This will help guide you in quicker and more accurately than attempting to use the mini map/GPS. And for the Gunners, do the same but instead of making your mark on the starting point, put your mark on the target location). As the pilot maneuvers the chopper into position, you should be double checking the route, and also scanning for targets that may not have been noticed by the JTAC and are a potential threat to the aircraft. Once at the starting point, use the gun to point at the mark you made on the map, which should be visible as a waypoint to you. Inform the pilot that that is the target area, this will help him in positioning the bird better for you. Inform the JTAC that you are at the starting point and await his instruction. If your cleared hot, instruct the pilot how to move in order to get into firing position. Use the following commands to instruct the pilot: Elevate, Lower, slide left, slide right, nose up, nose down, turn right, turn left. Additionally giving a distance to elevate, or slide, or a command like "slowly slide left," are all perfectly acceptable. The more clear you are in your instructions the better the pilot will understand where you want the bird at, and will maneuver accordingly. Once you have fired, its understood that the pilot should immediately move to cover. If using high energy attacks, this would mean to maneuver towards the egress azimuth and put the nose down. If using low energy attacks, the pilot would get back down behind cover and begin moving towards the holding area, or towards a new BP. If multiple BPs have been designated you may have wanted to brief in what order the pilot was to use those positions. If it wasn't briefed, then as the pilot maneuvers away from the firing point, designate which BP to move to. If no other BP was designated, then scan the area for the next position you feel would work for you. Either way, use the gun reticule to point to the area you want the pilot to move. Lastly, if you have open comm lines, USE IT! the more communication between the pilot and gunner, the better your going to operate, and the better you operate, the more effective of a killing machine you will become.