VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

MTP 1(D), Vol. I
6731 CONTROLLED AIRSPACE, AIR ROUTES/AIR CORRIDORS, AND SAFETY SECTORS
Controlled airspace, air routes, air corridors, and safety sectors are used to provide the safe transit of
aircraft. Inputs for coordination and deconfliction of airspace requirements, of all services involved in an
operation, are required by the designated airspace control authority for the establishment and
dissemination of the airspace control plan. Further details are found in ATP 40.
a. Controlled Airspace. Prior coordination with the appropriate authority is required when a
controlled airspace is used by tactical or formation flights. Aircraft using a controlled airspace shall not be
subject to attack by friendly surface, submarine, or air forces unless positively identified as enemy or
unless they commit a hostile act. Controlled airspace will be in accordance with those published in
appropriate flight information or ICAO publications or as promulgated by appropriate commanders.
b. Air Routes and Air Corridors. Ships and ground batteries are forbidden to fire at any aircraft
in air corridors. The defense of air corridors against incursion by enemy aircraft is the responsibility of a
combat air patrol (CAP) established for that purpose. Ordinarily, air corridors are established only when a
major air operation is involved, and then only when it is essential that the participating aircraft pass near
own ground and sea forces. Included within the concept of air corridors is a low-level transit route (LLTR),
defined as follows: A temporary corridor of defined dimensions through the areas of organic low-level air
defenses of surface forces. For more details, see ATP 40.
c. Safety Sectors. Safety sectors are employed in AAW areas and are not the same as airways.
d. Identification Coordination. When maritime units are operating within, or in the vicinity of
airspace controlled by other agencies, it must be ensured that identification criteria are coordinated
between all agencies concerned, and known by all users of that particular airspace.
6732 SHORE BOMBARDMENT AND BOMB LINES
Shore bombardment and bomb lines are used in coordinated operations with ground forces. The
policy regarding establishing and using these lines shall be at the discretion of the appropriate
commanders. Tactical and forward (safe) bomb lines are normally prescribed by a troop commander
according to his assessment of the requirement for coordinating air strikes with his ground forces.
NOT RELEASABLE
6733 BLIND BOMBING ZONES
Blind bombing zones are used to permit aircraft to conduct operations unimpeded by the danger of
attack by friendly forces. Rules governing actions within blind bombing zones follow:
a. Aircraft may attack any target encountered in a blind bombing zone without inquiry as to its
identity, except for a submarine in a moving haven established by a SUBNOTE, or a surface ship in an area
of operations about which the aircraft have been notified (see Article 6734).
b. Surface Ships shall normally keep clear of blind bombing zones. When surface ships must
enter such a zone, the correct notice procedures must be followed. Surface ships may attack any submarine
encountered, except for a submarine in a moving haven established by a SUBNOTE (see Article 6734).
c. Submarines shall normally keep clear of blind bombing zones; when submarines must enter
such a zone, they shall be protected by a SUBNOTE. During an emergency, a submarine entering a blind
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