VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

MTP 1(D), Vol. I
6505 CARRIER OPERATIONS
6506 DUTIES IN A TASK GROUP
a. Ready Deck System. The OTC may order one carrier to keep its landing area ready as a spare
landing field for immediate use by aircraft from other carriers.
b. Duty Carrier System. The OTC may divide the operating day among the carriers present with
each responsible for providing CAP, tanker, ASW, Middleman/AUTOCAT or surveillance services for
the entire force during the period assigned.
6507 — 6508 SPARE
6509 FLYING SECTORS
When two or more ships operating aircraft are in company, each ship is allotted a flying sector for
her aircraft. Flying sectors are calculated as follows:
a. Sector Median. The median of each sector will be on the extension of the line joining the
center of the formation to the ship concerned.
b. Arc of Each Sector. The arc of each of these sectors will be calculated by dividing the 360
degrees of arc by the number of ships involved. Thus, with two ships, each sector will cover an arc of 180
degrees: with three ships, 120 degrees; with four ships, 90 degrees.
c. Limits. Flying sectors extend upward and outward as far as necessary.
6510 MANEUVERING FOR FLIGHT OPERATIONS
A flight operations course and speed is used for maneuvering ships operating aircraft. Three
methods of maneuvering ships for flight operations are available. Unless otherwise ordered by the OTC,
Method A is to be used.
a. Method A — Maneuvering the Whole Formation Together. This method usually is
employed for all extensive flight operations at night or in low visibility because of the danger of operating
ships independently within a formation under such conditions.
b. Method B — The Independent Method. In this method, the ship preparing to operate
aircraft drops to leeward within the screen or to the leeward corner of its sector and then turns into the wind
and maneuvres independently. This method is particularly suitable when it is desired not to exceed
effective sonar speed but where it may be necessary to alter base course during flight operations to keep the
ship operating aircraft within her screen. Method B will normally be ordered when one ship only is
operating aircraft. It may be used at night at the OTC’s discretion. The sector method of ordering a screen is
recommended to be used with this method. The instructions in Article 6512 apply.
c. Method C — Methods A and B Combined. The ship preparing to operate aircraft proceeds
initially as in Method B. The OTC then maneuvres the whole formation, including the ship concerned. It is
used only by day when the OTC is not prepared to accept the risk that the ship operating aircraft may move
beyond the screen. This method is not used in low visibility. It normally will be ordered only when one ship
is operating aircraft. This method may be ordered if flight operations will be of such length that the use of
Method B will necessitate the ship operating aircraft to proceed outside the screen, and it is important to
spend as little time as possible off the base course. When executing this method with sector screening,
6-63 CHANGE 2