VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

escorts should proceed to the upwind parts of their sector prior to the ship concerned increasing her speed
to operate aircraft.
6511 METHOD A
a. The Guide. The following considerations normally govern the selection of the Guide: (1) If
only one ship operating aircraft is present, she is to be designated the Guide. (2) When two or more ships
operating aircraft are present, the ship in station zero is made the Guide. (3) If there is no ship operating
aircraft in station zero or if a circular formation is not being used, a designated ship is to be made Guide.
b. Signals and Turns. The formation will be to and from the flight operations course by either:
(1) Signalling a turn-together to a definite course and speed at the beginning and at the completion
of flight operations, or
(2) Signalling an estimate of the flight operations course and speed beforehand; later turning and
adjusting speed by special signals. After turning away from the flight operations course, a new estimate
of the flight operations course must be signalled before each successive turn for flight operations.
NOTE
When either of the above is used, it is probable that adjustments of course and speed will be necessary
after the initial turn and before or during flight operations. All such adjustments are to be
taken as amending the signalled flight operations course.
c. Minor Adjustments. When they are on flight operations course, individual ships operating
aircraft have discretion to make minor adjustments of course and speed, but they must remain within 500
yards of correct station. See also Article 6501.
6512 METHOD B
a. Choice of Initial Position. The ship preparing to operate aircraft is to choose an initial
position best calculated to complete launching or recovering aircraft within the cover of the screen and
cause the minimum interference with other ships of the main body.
b. Bulging the Screen. See Chapter 3.
MTP 1(D), Vol. I
c. Resuming Station. The ship operating aircraft is to on the assumption that the course and
speed of the force will not be altered. On completion of flight operations, she is to resume station with as
little delay as possible.
d. Adjusting Course. Should it appear probable during flying operations that the ship operating
aircraft will get outside the screen, the OTC may adjust the mean line of advance (MLA) of the Guide by
signal. When a screened unit other than the ship operating aircraft is designated Guide, this alteration to the
MLA is to be ordered by a TURN and/or SPEED signal addressed to the main body.
The screen commander is not required to reform the screen unless ordered to do so by the OTC.
e. Screen Unit as Guide. When there is no other screened unit to become the Guide, the
following procedure is to be used:
(1) Forming or reforming the screen. The OTC is to order the formation of the screen in the normal,
way and include the sectors which the screen should cover.
6-64 CHANGE 2