VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

authorized by the aircraft tasking authority. The aircraft commander should be briefed on the degree of
support it can give to the OTC.
c. Area Operations. Area operations are conducted in areas within which enemy forces are
known to be, through which enemy forces are likely to pass, or within which it is desirable to deny the
enemy freedom of action. In addition, operations may be related to the protection of maritime forces
scheduled to enter the area in the future or to provide defense in depth to distant forces. Land-based aircraft
on area operations are under the operational control of a shore-based authority. Tactical command and
control of the aircraft conducting the mission is normally delegated to the aircraft commander by the
tasking authority. Aircraft commanders should be briefed on the whereabouts of friendly naval forces and
as to whether or not they may react to a request from these forces to assist in the prosecution of contacts
within the aircraft’s operating area. Notwithstanding such authorization, the original tasking authority has
the right to resume control of the aircraft at his discretion.
6403 INFORMING THE OTC OF OPERATIONS IN HIS VICINITY
OTCs are to be informed by the appropriate coordinating authority of any aircraft employed on area
operations in the vicinity of their force.
If a force at sea is to be supported by land-based aircraft in associated or direct support, the OTC
will be informed by the appropriate coordinating authority of the type and nature of support being
provided in response to the support request, using standard RAINFORM formats. In the case of
shipborne aircraft support, the OTC of the force providing the support should keep the OTC of the
supported force, and, if possible, shore authorities, informed of the flying schedule and intentions using
the standard MTMS formats.
6404 SPARE
6405 TYPES OF OPERATIONS
6406 OPERATIONS INTEGRAL TO A FORCE
Helicopter and carrier borne aircraft which are an integral part of the force are under the tactical
command of an OTC. They are assigned tasks as directed by the OTC or warfare commander as required.
Although the employment of these aircraft is not a support operation, the procedures in this chapter
sometimes apply.
6407 SUPPORT OPERATIONS TASKED BY MARITIME AUTHORITIES
MTP 1(D), Vol. I
a. Air Operations Outside TASMO. Air operations in support of forces at sea outside TASMO,
which are controlled by maritime authorities, are normally tasked by standard MTMS or other messages
such as the ATO. The tasking authority should stipulate in the FORM GREEN both the form of support of
each mission and the specific mission type by promulgating mission designators from Table 6-3.
(1) Mission Designators. The Table 6-3 mission designators can only be changed by the aircraft
commander if delegated tactical command. Therefore, if an OTC wishes an aircraft to do more than
one mission type, it must be requested in the support request message, FORM GREEN REQUEST. The
ASW mission type is subdivided and once the tasking authority has authorized an ASW operation, the
supported OTC can modify the ASW tasking during a mission.
NOT RELEASABLE
(2) Mission Type. Table 6-3 lists the mission types which maritime aircraft may be tasked. Details
on the various scouting missions are in Section II of this chapter.
6-31 ORIGINAL