Lpdirect Air Strike

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPSAdvanced Infantry Training Company

School of InfantryTraining Command

Camp Lejeune, NC 28542-0161

DIRECT AN AIR STRIKE

ISLC0503

LESSON PLAN

INFANTRY SQUAD LEADER COURSE

(M03M3X4)

(03/07/01)

____________________

Chief Instructor

___________________

Approval Date

LESSON TITLE: DIRECT AN AIR STRIKETOTAL LESSON TIME: 5.50REFERENCE: FMFM 5-41INSTRUCTOR PREPARATION: 1. Ensure that you have your student handouts ready.2. Go over the lesson plan along with the media prior to class. 3. Ensure the classroom is set up and ready for the students.4. Have the students bring their maps, protractors, and compass to class for the practical application portion. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: 1. Ensure that the computer is set up in a safe and operable manner.2. Make sure that all extension cords, or other items are free from walkways and exits.

INTRODUCTION

LECTURE (5 MIN)

1. GAIN ATTENTION: Whether you are patrolling or in the offensive, or in a defensive position, the need for calling an air-strike may arise. You cannot at any time rely on the Platoon Leader or Platoon Sergeant to do it for you because the probability of them being alive is slim. During Khe Shan, Vietnam 1968, many times a Sgt had to call in an air-strike in order for his unit to survive.

2. OVERVIEW: My name is______________ and the purpose of this period of instruction is to teach you, the infantry squad leader, how to call in an air-strike using the nine line brief.

3. LEARNING OBJECTIVES.

a. TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE. With the aid of reference, given a tactical scenario, simulated close air support assets, direct close air support, per FMFM 5-41. (0311.12.06)

b. ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES. None.

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INSTRUCTOR NOTE

Read the Learning Objective(s) aloud and explain the objectives to the students. Check for understanding, as necessary.

4. METHOD/MEDIA: This class will be taught utilizing the lecture demonstration method, aided by computer graphics, a student handout, followed by a practical application portion.

5. EVALUATION: You will be evaluated on this period of instruction by filling out a nine-line brief and transmitting it during the practical application portion at the end of the lecture.

TRANSITION: Now that we have discussed how you will be evaluated and what will be expected of you, are there any questions? If not lets talk about close air support.

BODY LECTURE (110 MIN)

(SUPPORTING PAPER 2 ON)

1. CLOSE AIR SUPPORT. CAS is restricted to missions that actually deliver ordnance on 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). CAS requires detailed integration with other supporting arms and the friendly ground forces fire and maneuver. To maintain this integration, the supported unit commander requests and approves all CAS missions within his area of responsibility. The two types of CAS are fixed wing and rotary wing.

(SUPPORTING PAPER 2 OFF)


a. Mission Classification. The Aviation Combat Element, or (ACE) executes CAS missions as either preplanned air support or immediate air support.

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INSTRUCTOR NOTE:

Explain to the students the procedure for completing the Instructional Rating Forms (IRF). Inform students that the IFRs will not be collected until the entire period of instruction, including the associated examination, is completed.

1. Preplanned CAS Missions. Preplanned CAS missions are further categorized as either preplanned scheduled or preplanned on-call missions.

(a) Preplanned Scheduled Missions. Scheduled air

support requires that the requesting commander identify a specific target and set a specific time for the attack well in advance, this is often impossible on a fluid, ever-changing battlefield.

(b) Preplanned On-Call Missions. On-call air support is preferred in a high threat environment. On-call air support allows the supported commander to indicate a target or target area to be attacked. After launch, minimum communications are necessary for final coordination.



2. Immediate Air Support. Immediate missions meet requests that arise during battle. Immediate missions cannot be identified far enough in advanced to permit detailed mission coordination and planning. Immediate missions provide crisis response to unforeseen dilemmas and sacrifice detailed planning and tailored ordnance loads for timely response. Coordination is critical during an immediate mission.

QUESTION: What are the two types of CAS missions?

ANSWER: Preplanned on call missions, and preplanned scheduled missions.

QUESTION: What does immediate air support meet?

ANSWER: Meets requests that arise during battle.

TRANSITION: Now that we have talked about the mission classifications, are there any questions? If not lets talk about the mission specific information.



2. CLOSE AIR SUPPORT BRIEFING FORM. To ensure standardization, aircrews and forward air controllers should use the CAS briefing

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form (9-line) or standard NATO 9-line brief. The CAS briefing form has two parts. The first part contains general mission information about the aircraft performing the mission. The second part contains mission-specific information.



a. Mission Specific Information.

1. IP/AP.

Initial Point. Fixed wing aircrews use an initial point (IP) to start their run to the target. IP's are normally well-defined, easily identifiable terrain features. Forward air controllers and aircrews use IP's to help position aircraft delivering ordnance.



Attack Position. The attack position is a maneuvering area that contains the rotary wing aircrews firing positions. It is used as a position to engage the target by fire.



2. HEADING. Heading is given in degrees magnetic. It is the heading from the center of the IP or AP to the target. Offset left or right indicates offset direction if a restriction exists. It is the side of the IP-to-target line from which the aircrew can maneuver for the attack.



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INSTRUCTOR NOTE

Have the students refer to the handout as the instructor talks about the information concerning the aircraft conducting the mission

3. DISTANCE. Distance is determined from the center of the IP or AP to the target. For fixed wing aircraft the distance is given in nautical miles down to tenths. For example, 12.3 nautical miles would be transmitted as twelve point three. For rotary wing aircraft the distance is given in meters down to the nearest five meters.



4. TGT ELEVATION. Target elevation is given in feet above mean sea level (MSL). This information can be found utilizing the contour interval and by counting the contour lines on the target.



5. TGT DESCRIPTION. The target description is specific enough for aircrews to find the target, yet concise and brief. The description is the same type used in call for fire.



6. TGT LOCATION. The forward air controller or (FAC) can give the target location in several ways such as; UTM grid coordinates, latitude and longitude, navigational aid fix, or a visual description from a conspicuous reference point. UTM grid is the most common method. When using UTM grid, the forward air controllers must include the 100,000-meter grid identification.



7. MARK TYPES. Target marking helps the aircrew in locating the target. Forward air controllers should provide target marking whenever possible. Typically, targets are marked with WP (white phosphorus), RP (red phosphorus) and illumination rounds. Always plan a back-up mark if possible. If using lasers to mark the target, laser designation must be selective and timely since laser devices can overheat and lengthy laser emissions may compromise friendly positions. If using a laser

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designator with smart munitions, the laser code must also be given. Indirect fire agencies time the firing of marks to ensure they are effective at the appropriate time with regard to TOT.



8. FRIENDLIES. The distance of friendlies from the target is given in cardinal direction (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW) and meters.



9. EGRESS. These are the instructions aircrews receive to leave the target area. They are used to alert aircrews to possible hazards near the target, to include but not limited to enemy positions, anti air assets and power lines. Egress instructions are normally given as a cardinal direction. Aircrews may also be given a specific IP to egress to. The word "egress" MUST be said prior to giving the egress instructions. The Time-On-Target will also be given as the last element of this line immediately following the egress instructions. Time On Target (TOT) is the universal clock time indicating exactly when the aircrew’s ordnance will hit the target. Indirect fire agencies, forward air controllers, maneuver units, and aircrews all use this universal time to coordinate their attack on a target. During an immediate CAS mission, the TOT is expressed minutes past the hour only. GPS time is utilized as the standard time for all. (SUPPORTING PAPER 15 OFF)


REMARKS. Any and all information that may assist the aircrew in the attack of the target may be included in remarks. Some examples of remarks may be: a laser-to-TGT line if using a laser, an exact attack heading if required, weather conditions in the target area, and enemy threat conditions in the target area.

QUESTION: What type of aircraft uses an Initial Point?

ANSWER: Fixed wing.

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QUESTION: What must always be said prior to egress instructions?

ANSWER: The word "egress" must always be said prior to any instructions being passed.

TRANSITION: Now that we have discussed the individual nine lines of the brief, are there any questions? in not lets move on to transmitting the nine line brief.



3. ATTACKING A TARGET.

a. Transmitting the 9-line brief. To give the mission brief, deliver the information utilizing the following line number sequence. The line number is not stated, however the information contained in each line must be provided. If a line does not apply, the forward air controller states "none". The flight leader is not required to read back the mission brief. However, at the end of the mission brief the flight leader MUST (at a minimum) repeat the TOT, to ensure proper coordination of the attack. For example, the forward air controller gives the following brief to the aircrew:


"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)"

From this 9-line brief, the aircrew understands:

The IP/AP is DOGThe IP to target HDG is 360 degrees magneticThe IP to target DISTANCE is 11.5 nautical milesThe TGT ELEVATION is 460 feet above MSLThe TGT DESCRIPTION is tanks in the openThe TGT LOCATION grid coordinates are PG 863452The MARK TYPE will be WPThe FRIENDLIES are 500 meters south of the targetThe aircrew should EGRESS east to ROBIN and the TOT is 15 minutes past the hour.

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b. 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. The rotary wing aircrew will notify the forward air controller when they have positioned themselves in the attack position. The rotary wing aircrew will conduct their attack of the target from within the attack position.





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. Assuming that the forward air controller has the aircraft in sight, he will respond with “continue”. At about this same time, the mark (if used) should be on the deck in the vicinity of the target. The forward air controller will immediately notify the aircrew that the “mark is on the deck”. 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”.


c. Adjustments. Rarely does the mark land near enough to the target for the forward air controller to send "hit the mark". If the mark does not land on or near the target, the forward air controller must direct the aircrew to the target in relation to the mark. Forward air controllers must give the correction as soon as they see the mark. Corrections are given using cardinal direction and distance in meters from the mark to the target. For example, "from the mark, north 200".

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d. Clearance to Drop. Once the aircrew has identified the target, they will position their aircraft for the attack. At this time 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". The 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”.

e. 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 aircraft’s ordnance will be given in the same manner as the first aircraft.

f. Bomb Damage Assessment. BDA should be given in plain language following the attack. For example, “two tanks burning”.



SUMMARY: (5 MIN)

During this period of instruction we have discussed the information needed for a nine line brief, and what goes on every line. Make comments on your Instructional Rating Forms, as appropriate. Hold on to the forms until after the performance examination for this lesson. Once the performance examination is complete, an instructor will collect all of the forms.

REFERENCE:

NUMBER TITLE PAGES

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INSTRUCTOR NOTE

Inform students that the IRFs will not be collected until the entire period of instruction, including the practical application portion, is completed. Provide the students with instructions regarding what to do and where to form in preparation practical application.

FMFM 5-41 Close Air Support Entire Manual

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Lpdirect Air Strike