VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

MTP 1(D), Vol. I
Visual sighting can be of special value in engaging both high and low contacts, and lookouts should
be indoctrinated as to the importance of reporting all sightings, smoke, and contrails.
b. Local Air Situation. In addition to reporting the general air station, there is an equal
requirement for all ships fitted with guns and self-defense missiles to have a clear picture of the local air
situation, including relevant information on missile zones, safety sectors, weapon restrictions, and
positions of friendly aircraft and helicopters. A knowledge of the positions of all friendly aircraft may be
the only clue to the identity of a contact that is in fact an enemy aircraft or missile. The AAWC will
normally be the LAAWC for his group and will promulgate the local air picture. Commanding officers are
responsible for the employment of their own weapons and the primary function of the local AAW
coordination net is to promulgate information to assist them in making their decisions.
c. Local Air Picture. The aim is to provide the group with a clear picture of the air situation
around the group. Contacts within 50 nm are given priority, with less frequent reports on those beyond.
Contacts are reported using the current agreed basic identities. Position is reported as range and bearing
from ZZ of the local force. Although reporting procedures are vital for good raid reporting, under certain
conditions a colloquial running commentary has been proven to be more successful than a rigid reporting
procedure. However, when a unit detects or sights a target that is a direct threat to the force and has not been
reported, it immediately broadcasts a flash report (see Chapter 4).
d. Amplifying Instructions. Friendly aircraft should be referred to by their task. Other aircraft
should ideally be referred to by their force track number. A unit reporting a contact must be careful to report
fades, including when it is ”too close,” so that another unit may continue reporting that contact.
(1) NOT RELEASABLE
6324 SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE RAID REPORTS
Surface raid reports are normally made on TF/TG Reporting net. This net may be HF or UHF.
Details concerning the information to be exchanged are in Chapter 8. Subsurface reports are made either on
ASW Air Coordination net, on an action net, or on TF/TG Reporting net, depending on whether immediate
action is required. Searches should, where possible, be coordinated on a communication circuit common to
all operating units. Where MPA are operating in this role, ASW Air Coordination (UHF) net will normally
be used. Helicopters operating independently of fixed-wing aircraft should be TF/TG Reporting
(HF/UHF) net, unless the level of traffic is such as to overload the limited facilities of the helicopter.
Certain helicopters have the facility for transmission of the tactical picture by data link and, under these
circumstances, control of the aircraft may be conducted on a alternate circuit at the OTC’s discretion.
NOT RELEASABLE
6325 OTHER REPORTS
a. Air Combat Report. Air combat reports are reports made by aircraft and are primarily used to
warn other aircraft and the aircraft control unit(s) of the presence of enemy aircraft. The report consists of
code words from APP 7/MPP-7 and/or plain language.
b. Tactical Air Support of Maritime Operations (TASMO) Reports. TASMO reports are
used in tactical air support of maritime operations.
NOT RELEASABLE
c. Mine Detection Report. Every ship detonating a mine or detecting a moored mine or a
drifting mine case shall make a Mine Detection Report (MINEDETREP) to the OPCON authority with an
6-20 CHANGE 2