Cover letter_JPR JOG_ACT approved - European Defence Agency

NATO UNCLASSIFIED RELEASABLE TO THE PUBLICFormation flights and RESCORT patterns1793.3 RW RESCORT0315. The task of the armed helicopters is to protect the recovery vehicles by providingfirepower or showing presence to suppress or intimidate the OPFOR, so the recoveryvehicles can have a safe passage to the AO. The RESCORT can be detached or attachedRESCORT. The detached RESCORT will fly 1 to 5 minute in front of the recovery vehiclesand fly the same speed and same altitude or higher as the recovery vehicles. It needs tobe considered that using forward detached RESCORT can alert possible OPFOR. In orderto prevent this, the detached RESCORT can take an alternative route in the direct proximityof the recovery vehicles’s route. The position of the attached RESCORT will dependon the number of used Attack Helicopters (AHs), threat situation, terrain, environmentalconditions and size of the whole Task Force (TF). The preferred tactic for attachedRESCORT will be rear RESCORT. In this case the AHs will fly behind the recovery vehicles.See figure 3.3. When the recovery vehicles are being engaged, the AHs manoeuvretowards the threat to suppress the OPFOR. Figure 3.3: Rear RESCORT3.4 FW RESCORT patterns and proceduresDetached FW RESCORT. The following patterns and procedures are only conceivablewith fast movers. Detached FW RESCORT patterns include:a. Medium altitude parallel. The medium altitude parallel is flown alongingress and egress routes in front of the recovery vehicle(s). The primarypurpose of this pattern is to clear the recovery vehicle(s)’ flight path. TheRESCORT aircraft will most likely not maintain sight of the recovery vehicle(s).The pattern can be flown at different altitudes and airspeeds.b. Racetrack. Racetrack is a large oval pattern flown with the recovery vehicle(s)within the pattern. The pattern is flown along the recovery vehicle(s)route with RESCORT aircraft maintaining sight of the recovery vehicles. Thepattern may be flown at different altitudes and airspeeds. (see Fig. 3.4)c. Box pattern. Box pattern is similar to racetrack but with extended crosswindlegs. This pattern may be flown at different altitudes and airspeeds.Attached FW RESCORT patterns include:NATO UNCLASSIFIED RELEASABLE TO THE PUBLIC