VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

MTP 1(D), Vol. I
d. Capability of Other Aircraft.
(1) Modern CAP aircraft with extended radar ranges should be considered an AEW sensor, particularly
during periods when AEW aircraft are not airborne.
(2) (However, intense and sophisticated enemy ECM may severely degrade/negate modern CAP
detection capabilities.
7022 COMBAT AIR PATROL MANAGEMENT
a. General. CAP aircraft can be either land based or carrier based. Instructions in this article on
the use of CAP aircraft are applicable generally, but details given in this article concern carrier-based CAP
aircraft only. CAP missions can be more precisely identified when one of the following modifiers is used
before the CAP: force CAP (FORCECAP), barrier CAP (BARCAP), target CAP (TARCAP), rescue CAP
(RESCAP), and surveillance CAP (SUCAP). CAP aircraft employed in the AAW role are normally referred
to as force CAP (FORCECAP).
NOT RELEASABLE
b. Air Resource Element Coordinator (AREC)/CAP Instructions. The following points
are to be considered with respect to CAP aircraft during AAW operations:
(1) The OTC or AAWC will direct the AREC to maintain an alert posture and fill assigned CAP stations.
CAP aircraft will relieve on station or within a specified distance of station.
(2) The AREC must keep the OTC or AAWC informed of the ability to maintain alert posture.
Weather, maintenance, or deck respotting operations may degrade alert posture.
(3) Alert CAP aircraft will be launched on assigned control frequencies to expedite stationing
and/or intercept of assigned raids.
(4) CAP aircraft proceed to and return from assigned stations within safety sectors or on return to
force (RTF) or minimum risk route (MRR) profiles. Positive control must be maintained to avoid engagements
by friendly units, especially when the safety sector is near or traverses missile engagement
zones or missile arcs. Provision should be made for deviation to expedite stationing and facilitate
prompt intercept action.
(5) EMCON permitting, carriers will track CAP aircraft operating within their radar coverage but
controlled by other ships, so that they can take over control if necessary.
(6) Parent carriers of CAP aircraft controlled by other units are to ensure that the controlling unit
knows the time, location, and altitude at which the parent carrier wishes the aircraft to be returned to her
control for recovery.
(7) Units controlling another carrier’s aircraft are to pass aircraft status reports to the parent carrier
as soon as they are received from CAP aircraft. CAP aircraft must pass this information immediately on
gaining contact with the controlling unit.
c. CAP Aircraft Stations. CAP aircraft should be stationed to engage enemy bombers prior to
their anticipated weapons release point.
NOT RELEASABLE
(1) CAP aircraft may be stationed by the OTC or AAWC at the following altitude bands:
(a) High (HICAP) — above 25,000 feet.
7-6 CHANGE 2