1963 US Army Vietnam War Armor Operations ... - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMon employment of tactical air support. Close (5) Results desired. Destruction, neutralliaisonshould be maintained between the for-ization, harassment limitations.ward air controller and the supporting artillery (6) Tactical significance. How attack willliaison officer. This will insure prompt ex- aid mission of requesting unit.change of information from both ground and (7) Target distance and direction fromair observation, and will assist in rapid engage-troops. Distance and azimuth or limitmeritof targets of opportunity. The FAC ing coordinates of troops positions,should remain with the command post or com-landmarks if possible.mand group until an airstrike is designated. He (8) Special control information. Specialis provided with the necessary information to bombline; marking of frontlines,enable him to communicate with Army air vehi-whether marked on call of pilot orcles which may be expected in the immediate otherwise; facilities available forarea. He then moves to a point where he canmarking targets; desired direction ofobserve and direct the airstrike. The FAC usesattack.the equipment and personnel of the air control (9) Other pertinent information. Will flakteam (ACT) organic to the battalion he issuppression be provided? Artillerysupporting.and naval gunfire maximum ordinate;c. Air targets are targets beyond the range ACT identification and location.or capability of other supporting weapons. Tar-Note. Photo requests should contain ingetsfor supporting tactical air include enemyformation as to type of photography, scale,armor, enemy columns, targets out of range ofinformation desired, and quantity of prints.Visual reconnaissance should include specificartillery, enemy strongpoints, and enemy com-area or route to be covered.munication centers. Tactical air may perform . An immediate mission is a revisual,photographic, weather, or electronic re- quest for which the need for close air supportquest for which the need for close air supportconnaisance and missions, make a 24-hour a cannot be foreseen and planned for in advance.day all-weather light bombardment attack.When there is such a requirement, time is of the291. Tactical Close-Air Support Requests greatest importance. This type of request isused when air support is required to repel anThere are two types of requests for close sup- unexpected enemy attack, disrupt enemy conportair missions.centrations, overcome unforeseen resistance, ora. Preplanned. A preplanned mission is one attack targets that are fleeting in nature. Anthat is decided upon early enough to allow com- immediate air request contains, as an absoluteplete planning and thorough preparation. The minimum, the following information:deadline for submission is outlined by orders (1) Target location.(SOP). A preplanned air request should in- (2) Target description.clude the following information:(3) Time on target.(1) Target location. Coordinates; speedand direction, if moving; location with 292. Control Measureregard to prominent landmarks.To insure the safety of friendly troops and(2) Target description. Guns: size, hasty installations, a fire support coordination lineor fortified positions, camouflage. (FSCL) is established on the ground by theStrongpoints: size, and type of con- ground forces, generally by field army headstruction.quarters. This is a line beyond which the AirForce or other agencies may attack targets( imef T oany. . te c l s without danger to, or approval from, the groundif any.forces. The movement of the FSCL must be(4) Troops. Bivouac, marching, type of anticipated and appropriate recommendationsdugouts, and their depth. Supply must be submitted enough in advance to insureareas: size, dispersed or concentrated, dissemination to tactical air force. The FSCLrevetted or in the open, and class of must be easily identifiable by terrain featuressupply.from the air and ground, to prevent confusionAGO 91asA 151