CLOSE AIR SUPPORT

CAS is restricted to mission that actually deliver ordnance to enemy troops or installations CAS is effective against hostile targets located close to friendly forces. CAS missions are normally flown short of the fire support coordination line (FSCL). To maintain integration the supported Commander requests and approves all CAS missions within his area of responsibility. The two types of CAS are fixed wing and rotary wing.

Mission Classification
(ACE) executes CAS missions as either preplanned air support or immediate air support. Preplanned CAS Missions - further categorized as
either preplanned scheduled missions or preplanned on-call missions.

Preplanned Scheduled Missions - requires the

requesting commander identify a specific target and time for the attack well in advance

Preplanned On-Call Missions

Preferred in a high threat area. Allows the commander who is being supported, to indicate a target or target area to be attacked After launch, minimum communications are necessary for final coordination.

Immediate Air Support

Meet requests that arise during battle. Immediate Missions cant be identified far enough in advance to permit detailed planning

Immediate Missions provide crisis response to unforeseen dilemmas and sacrifice detailed planning and tailored ordnance loads for timely response.
Coordination is critical.

CLOSE AIR SUPPORT BRIEFING FORM

9-line

CAS briefing form has two parts

First part
Contains general mission information about the aircraft.

Second part
Contains mission-specific information.

LINE 1 Mission Specific

Information
Fixed wing aircrews use an initial point (IP) to start their run to the target. Well-defined and easily identifiable, such as a prominent terrain feature. IPs help position aircraft delivering ordnance.

LINE 1 (CONT)

Maneuvering area that contains the rotary wing aircrews firing positions Used as a position to engage the target by fire

LINE 2
Given in degrees magnetic
Heading from the center of the IP or AP to the target Offset left or right indicates offset direction (if a restriction exists) side of the IP-to-target line from which the aircrew can maneuver for the attack

LINE 3
Determined from the center of the IP or AP to the target.

Fixed wing given in nautical miles.

Rotary wing given in meters down to the nearest five meters.

LINE 4

Target elevation is given in feet above mean sea level (MSL)

LINE 5

The target description is specific enough for aircrews to find the target, yet concise and brief

LINE 6

Grid coordinates Latitude and longitude Navigational aid fix Visual description from a conspicuous reference point

LINE 7

Helps the aircrew in locating the target Targets are marked

WP (white phosphorus) RP (red phosphorus) Illumination rounds

Laser designation

LINE 8

The distance of friendlies from the target is given in cardinal direction (N,NE,E,) Meters

LINE 9

Instructions aircrews receive to leave the target area Given as a cardinal direction EGRESS" MUST be said prior to giving the egress instructions Time-on-Target will also be given Universal clock time Expressed minutes past the hour only

REMARKS
Any and all information that may assist the aircrew in the attack of the target may be included in remarks laser-to-TGT line an exact attack heading if required weather conditions enemy threat conditions

Transmitting the 9-line

Deliver the information following the line number sequence The line number is not stated If a line does not apply, the forward air controller states "none Flight leader is not required to read back the mission brief MUST repeat the TOT (at a minimum) to ensure proper coordination of the attack

Transmitting the 9-line (Cont.)

Example
"Night rider this is ground Pounder, stand by for nine line brief, over" "Dog, 360, 11.5 (break) 460, tanks in open, PG 863452 (break) WP, south 500, egress east to ROBIN, time on target 15, (over)"

Transmitting the 9-line (cont.)

From this 9-line brief, the aircrew understands:
The IP/AP is DOG The IP to target HDG is 360 degrees magnetic The IP to target DISTANCE is 11.5 nautical miles The TGT ELEVATION is 460 feet above Sea Level The TGT DESCRIPTION is tanks in the open The TGT LOCATION grid coordinates are PG 863452 The MARK TYPE will be WP The FRIENDLIES are 500 meters south of the target

Aircrew identification of the target.

As a fixed wing aircrew approaches the target area, they will notify the forward air controller that they are IP inbound. The forward air controller will respond with continue and attempt to visually acquire the inbound aircraft. Visual identification of the attacking aircraft is essential for the mission to continue.

Aircrew identification (cont.)

Rotary wing aircrew will:
Notify the forward air controller when they have positioned themselves in the attack position. Attack of the target from within the attack position

Aircrew identification (cont.)

Once the fixed wing aircrew is in the target area, they will notify the forward air controller that they are in the POP. This indicates that the pilot has positioned his aircraft to gain a visual identification of the target. Once forward air controller has the aircraft in sight, he will respond with continue. The mark (if used) should be on the deck in the vicinity of the target. Forward air controller will immediately notify the aircrew that the mark is on the deck.

Aircrew identification (cont.)

This allows the aircrew the maximum amount of time to visually acquire the mark and orient the aircraft for the attack. The aircrew will notify the forward air controller that they see the mark by sending tally the mark.

Adjustments
The forward air controller must direct the aircrew to the target in relation to the mark. Corrections are given using cardinal direction and distance in meters from the mark to the target. For example, FROM THE MARK, NORTH 100".

Clearance to Drop
Once the aircrew has identified the target, they will position their aircraft for the attack. They will notify the forward air controller that they are wings level. If the forward air controller is convinced that the aircrew is going to attack the correct target and no unsafe conditions exist, he will give clearance to the aircrew to drop their ordnance by sending cleared hot". Aircrew MUST receive the cleared hot from forward air controller to conduct the attack. If the forward air controller believes that the aircrew is going to attack the wrong target or an unsafe condition exists, he MUST abort the mission by sending abort, abort, abort.

Second Aircraft
Once the lead aircraft's ordnance has impacted, the forward air controller may use that as a reference to provide corrections for the next aircrew.
For example, "from leads hits, south 100".

Clearance to drop the second aircrafts ordnance will be given in the same manner as the first aircraft.

Bomb Damage Assessment

BDA should be given in plain language following the attack.
For example, two tanks burning.

Close Air Support

Nine Line Brief
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. IP (from where aircraft will begin attack) HDNG (from IP to target) offset L/R Distance (from IP to target) NM / Meters Tgt Elev . (in feet ) mean sea level Tgt Desc Type of target, (Tanks, BMPs, Troops, Bldg) Tgt Loc . MG123456 Mark Type . ie...WP, Illum, or Laser Friendlies . (direction and distance from Tgt) Egress (say "Egress" then direction)

Close Air Support

Line 1
Considerations in selecting your IP
(distance, loc of EAD, loc of friendlies)

IP DEER

IP BEAR

IP ELK

Close Air Support CAS(R)

FP
FP

HA

FP

AP
FP

FP FP

FP

(CP)

(IP)

Close Air Support

Line 2
In degrees magnetic from IP to target (offset left / right)

IP

068*

Close Air Support

Line 3
In nautical miles for fixed wing and meters for rotary wing from IP to Target.

IP

7.6 14,440

Close Air Support

Line 4
In FEET mean sea level

meters x 3.3 = feet

Close Air Support

Line 5
Target Description: SHORT AND CONCISE

Close Air Support

Line 6
100,000 m Grid indicator

MH 00 grid line MG

Close Air Support

Line 7
Type of Marking:
Laser

illum

WP

Close Air Support

Line 8
Friendlies: Direction and distance from TGT

N
W S E

Close Air Support

Line 9
Say Egress, then direction

"EGRESS"

Close Air Support

Universal clock time Expressed minutes past the hour only

TTT /TOT
12 11 1 10 2 9 3

7 6

Close Air Support

REMARKS
Any additional information that you feel the pilot might like to know.
( ie...ASP, fuel dump, anti-air defense.)

Close Air Support

Terminal Control
IP INBOUND

Close Air Support

Terminal Control
IP

CP

Close Air Support

Terminal Control cont'd
Leads in the POP

Close Air Support

Terminal Control cont'd

IP
PUP

Close Air Support

Terminal Control cont'd

I Tally mark

FROM THE MARK

Close Air Support

Terminal Control cont'd
IS THE AIRCRAFT FACEING THE TARGET ARE HIS WINGS LEVEL IS HE FORWARD OF FRIENDLY LINES

Wings level
CLEARED HOT

Close Air Support

Terminal Control cont'd
CLEARED HOT OR REASONABLE ASSURANCE

Close Air Support

Terminal Control cont'd
Leads clear

Close Air Support

Terminal Control cont'd
Two's in the POP

Close Air Support

Terminal Control cont'd
I tally Leads hits

FROM LEADS HITS

Close Air Support

Terminal Control cont'd
Wings Level

CLEARED HOT

Close Air Support

Terminal Control cont'd

Close Air Support

Battle Damage Assessment
E7R this is Heatwave Egressing awaiting BDA

Close Air Support

% of ordnance on % of target and damage caused by ord.