VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

MTP 1(D), Vol. I
SECTION VI — AIRCRAFT EMERGENCY AND RESCUE
6600 AIRCRAFT EMERGENCY AND RESCUE
The measures set forth in this section cover the more common problems encountered and the
procedures used in handling aircraft in distress.
6601 GENERAL PROVISIONS
a. Emergency Landing Ship. Whenever possible, the OTO should make specific provision for
emergency landings by designating another appropriate ship as the emergency landing ship. This
assignment should be on a rotation basis and integrated into the flight schedule (for helicopter operations,
use OPTASK AIR HELO, paragraph H1). This allows maximum aircraft usage from all ships in company
with minimum inconvenience to each.
b. Lost Aircraft Control. The OTC may detail one ship as lost aircraft control to coordinate the
homing of all lost aircraft. However, any ship which has lost an aircraft should begin to identify it and home
it, and the ship should immediately notify lost aircraft control of the steps that are being taken.
c. Continuous Watch on Airborne Aircraft. Ships are to maintain a current estimate of the
time of return of their aircraft and keep, insofar as possible, a continuous watch on their movements. They
are to be alert for emergency IFF or other indications of aircraft in distress and are to plot and report such
signals, taking further action as conditions indicate.
d. Escort Aircraft. Whenever possible, an escort aircraft will accompany the aircraft in distress
back to the force; assist in the emergency landing procedure as directed, or as conditions indicate; remain
with the distressed aircraft until it enters the landing circuit; and maintain watch until the emergency
landing is completed.
e. Aircraft Not Involved to Keep Clear. Whenever other aircraft become aware of an
emergency landing in progress, they must keep clear of the entire operating area concerned.
f. Rescue Destroyer and Helicopter. The duties of rescue destroyers and rescue helicopters
are described in Article 6603.
6602 COMMUNICATIONS DURING AIRCRAFT EMERGENCIES
The following provisions apply to aircraft in distress requiring an emergency landing and to the
ships involved:
a. Responsibility.
(1) Escort. The escort of an aircraft in distress assists by sending or relaying radio, radar, or visual
messages, using the same procedures as described for the aircraft in distress.
(2) Ship. Ships must be alert for radio, radar, or visual indications of aircraft in distress and assist
in relaying messages between the distressed aircraft, the OTC, and the parent ship as conditions
indicate.
b. Emergency IFF. An aircraft in distress is to turn on its EMERGENCY IFF and set in Code 77
on Mode 3. In daylight operations, if the aircraft is within visual range of the ship, the use of
EMERGENCY 1FF is optional.
6-76b Erratum 2 to Change 1