fm 44-100 us army air and missile defense operations

FM44-100
5-135. Missile Engagement Zone (MEZ). Volume of airspace which
establishes control over engagements by HIMAD. A MEZ defines the volume
of airspace within which these weapons can conduct engagements without
specific direction from the authority establishing the WEZ.
5-136. Short-range Air Defense Engagement Zone (SHORADEZ). Area
of SHORAD deployment that may fall within a MEZ. It is also possible that
SHORAD assets may solely defend some areas. A SHORADEZ can be
established to define the airspace within which these assets will operate.
Because centralized control over short-range air defense weapons may not be
possible, these areas must be clearly defined and promulgated so that
friendly aircraft can avoid them.
5-137. Joint Engagement Zone (JEZ). Airspace of specified dimensions
within which multiple air defense weapon systems (surface to air missiles
and fighters) of one or more service components are simultaneously employed
and operated.
High-Density Airspace Control Zone
5-138. A high-density airspace control zone (HIDACZ) is airspace of defined
dimensions in which there is a concentrated employment of numerous and
varied airspace users. These can include aircraft; artillery, mortar, and naval
gunfire; local AD weapons; UAVs; and surface-to-surface missiles. HIDACZ
are established by the ACA upon request of ground commanders. A highdensity
airspace control zone is established when the level and intensity of
airspace operations dictate the need for special airspace control measures.
The number of such zones will vary depending on the combat situation and
the complexities of airspace control in conjunction with fire support
coordination. The establishment of a HIDACZ normally will increase
temporary airspace restrictions within the volume of defined airspace.
Additionally, establishment of a HIDACZ within a maneuver area will
normally give that maneuver unit commander complete weapon control
status authority within the activated HIDACZ.
Weapons Free Zones
5-139. An air defense zone established for the protection of key assets. Units
are at WEAPONS FREE and can fire at any air target not positively
identified as friendly.
Temporary Airspace Restrictions
5-140. Temporary airspace restrictions can be imposed on segments of
airspace of defined dimensions in response to specific situations and
requirements. These can include close air support (CAS) operations, airrefueling
areas, and concentrated interdiction areas. The promulgation of
such restrictions will include the following:
• Identification of the airspace user being restricted.
• Period, area, altitude, and height of restriction.
• Procedures for cancellation or modification of the restriction in event
of communications loss.
5-29