fm 44-100 us army air and missile defense operations

FM 44-100
6-22
systems and attack helicopters that the commander can employ rapidly
against enemy air throughout the depth of operations. If enemy fixed-wing
aircraft and helicopters are expected, then mobile ADA assets that can counter
this mixed threat are crucial to the deep operation.
6-96. Rear area air and missile defense includes operations by both short
range and high- to medium- altitude air defense systems throughout the battlefield.
The size of the area, however, requires the weighting of ADA resources
around those facilities and assets that the commander determines
are most critical to the concept of operation. HIMAD forces protect priority
forces and assets from attack by TMs and fixed-wing aircraft. Short range air
defense is added to the highest priority forces and assets to screen against
RSTA attempts, destroy cruise missiles or attacking fixed-wing aircraft, and
to provide a mix of weapons systems. Major ports, railheads, airfields, assembly
areas, and storage areas are assets normally requiring dedicated
SHORAD protection. CAFAD employment is also a means of air defense protection
in the rear where air defense systems are not available. In these areas,
smoke screens can reduce the vulnerability of rear area facilities and
might even be used for LZ and PZ denial.
6-97. Passive air defense actions reduce the effectiveness of the air threat.
The extent of an asset's passive air defense efforts directly impacts on the
vulnerability of that asset. Regardless of the type of theater or area of the
battlefield, the ADA concept of operations always includes passive air defense
measures. Based on the force commander's air and missile defense priorities,
not all assets will receive dedicated ADA forces for protection. However, most
assets will receive a degree of air and missile defense protection from coverage
provided by higher echelon and adjacent ADA units. To enhance the protection
available from this air and missile defense coverage, all elements
must plan and employ passive air defense measures. Integrated active and
passive air defense makes the air threat expend maximum resources with a
minimum of success. Based on the threat and scheme of maneuver, assets
may need support to enhance their passive air defense posture. All members
of the combined arms team must integrate the support requirements for passive
air defense into the prioritization of tasks for their forces.
6-98. Vulnerability of a friendly asset depends on the extent of signature reduction,
concealment, hardening, and deception employed. Signature reduction
makes the battle command asset difficult to locate and less subject to attack.
Engineer units can increase the hardness of the battle command asset
by constructing field fortifications. Even if the battle command asset is attacked,
the site is less vulnerable. Establishing a decoy may result in enemy
air threats attacking the wrong location.
Task Organization and Command or Support Relationships
6-99. An ADA commander structures ADA forces unit by unit based on the
concept of operations. The commander considers the status of unit leadership,
personnel, equipment, experience, and training to determine the best ADA
task organization. In determining task organization, the commander selects
the appropriate command or support relationship for each unit.