VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

(11) Inshore Undersea Warfare Group. A task organization that provides surface and
subsurface detection of enemy targets in the seaward approach to the AOA. It is normally composed of
one or more inshore undersea warfare surveillance units.
(12) Close Covering Group. Naval combatants assigned to CATF to provide protection against
air, surface, and subsurface threats.
(13) Patrol Plane Group. A task organization of patrol aircraft units which conduct such missions
as scouting, reconnaissance, and antisubmarine operations while the amphibious task force is en
route to and in the objective area.
(14) Air Transport Group. A task organization of transport aircraft units which provides air
transport for landing force components or provides logistic support.
(15) Administrative Group. The agency which is responsible for administrative and special details
in the objective area: repair and salvage; hydrographic surveys; laying of nets, buoys, and beacons;
initial harbor development and control; port control functions; boat pools; mail; and other tasks as assigned.
During the initial stages of the assault, virtually all administrative functions are performed by
CATF or his subordinate participating in the assault. Administrative duties are passed to the commander
of the administrative group as the progress of the assault permits.
(16) Naval Beach Group. A task organization which may consist of traffic control, communications,
beach surf salvage, pontoon and fuel elements of the beach party, assault craft (not organic to assault
shipping), and combat stevedore elements.
c. Landing Force. The landing force consists of ground, aviation, and combat support units together
with their logistic support units. They are organized to conduct the amphibious operation and may
be functionally organized for specific tasks at various times; e.g., for:
(1) Embarkation.
(2) The landing.
(3) Further combat ashore.
d. Air Force. Air support can be provided by both naval and land-based air elements depending
upon the location. When the preponderance of tactical aviation is provided by the air force for an amphibious
operation, an air force officer will be designated by the air force commander of the participating air
forces to direct the total air effort in the AOA. He will exercise such direction under the CATF or, when
control of air operations is passed ashore, under the CLF or an appropriate commander ashore who has the
capability to control such operations. The joint or combined use of air assets must be carefully coordinated
to ensure that maximum use is made of the firepower available.
e. Advance Force. An advance force is a temporary organization within an amphibious task
force which precedes the main body to the objective area. Its function is to participate in preparing the objective
for assault by conducting such operations as reconnaissance, seizure of supporting positions, mine
countermeasures, preliminary bombardment, underwater demolition, and air support.
11013 FIRE SUPPORT
MTP 1(D), Vol. I
The success or failure of an amphibious operation will depend on the effective integration of air, naval
gunfire, and artillery support. Until the assault phase, the protection of the force is very much a naval
matter but, once the landing has begun, control of these assets has to be transferred ashore. The provision of
11-5 CHANGE 2