Air tactics

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The FM outlines our core skills, policies and guides to ensure every member stands ready for the mission ahead.

When approaching a helicopter, keep in mind the following factors:

• Avoid crossing the door gunner firing arcs
• Avoid getting near the tail rotor, especially the side of the tail that the tail rotor is on
• Avoid approaching and standing directly in front of the helicopter, as this is the direction in which the helicopter will move when taking off
• Be mindful of the clearance between your head and the main rotor, especially on uneven terrain

In practice, this means:

• Approach helicopters that load from the side from the side, preferably slightly from the rear
• Approach helicopters that load from the rear directly from the rear

Above: Infantry moving to a Ghosthawk to mount

• Stay off crew intercom, and join cargo if crew was selected by default
• Do not try to interact directly with the crew, regardless of the situation
• Casual conversation is allowed, unless instructed otherwise by the crew/leadership
• Cease casual conversation automatically when in contact or in an emergency

• Before dismounting, the call "Dismount" will be given by the crew
• After dismounting the vehicle move away from the vehicle without crossing in front or behind the vehicle, to prevent being run over, or stopping the vehicle from moving as it needs to.

When mounting in a vehicle, announce to the fireteam leader when your are mounted over the radio.

‘{name} up’

This allows fireteam leaders to then notify the squad leader and so on and ensure that everyone who needs to be on board, is on board before the vehicle departs.

When it comes to parachuting into combat zones, there are two basic styles of parachutes used. The first is a round, static-line chute. This allows for minimal control during descent, and the deployment of the chute automatically occurs as you leave the aircraft. The second style, typically used by smaller, more highly-trained units is a ram-air maneuverable parachute that is manually deployed by you after leaving the aircraft.

Both styles of insertion give you some degree of control over your descent. With static line “round chutes” having significantly less. Parafoils give you much greater maneuverability during the descent. While in flight, you’ll be able to turn, accelerate, decelerate, and flare the chute.

This high level of control allows you great flexibility to choose a landing site that works best for you and your team as long as you’re high enough in the air, almost anything you can see can be reached by gliding to it. The Arma 3 parafoil can reach a forward speed of over 50kph, though this brings with it a more rapid descent rate. For maximum glide range, try to stay closer to 15 to 20kph; while you’ll be in the air longer, your total ground distance covered will significantly increase. As you descend, you’ll find that wind will disrupt your flight and push you off course.

This wind drift must be accounted for and monitored, particularly in low-visibility situations such as night drops. Ensure your team is navigating and adjusting the flight path during the descent, else you’re likely to end up a significant distance from where you’d intended.

In HALO, the chute is deployed at low altitude to minimize the time spent under canopy. 

• Steer towards the target during freefall, as minimal moaneuvering will be possible with the parachute
• Open the parachute around 200m AGL (above ground level)

In HAHO, the chute is deployed at a much higher altitude in order to cover a large distance towards the LZ.The ram-air parachutes allow for substantial ground to be covered during flight, to the point that the plane initiating the drop can be 50+ kilometers from the drop zone when the paratroopers exit the aircraft. 

• Open the parachute on exiting the aircraft
• Join formation with the person designated as guiding element, and descent in formation

Landing a parachute at high speed can injure or kill you. To prevent this:

• Reduce forward speed to nearly zero just before landing
• Flare backwards just before touching the ground

When leading a parachute jump as jump master:

1. Ensure that parachutes (and altimeters if era-appropriate) are available for every paratrooper to collect
2. Ensure that every paratrooper has backpack on chest and parachute on back before entering the vehicle
3. Ensure that every paratrooper has a unique number from 1 to X designating the order they will leave the plane on command
4. Confirm the LZ to the paratroopers and the recommended altitude to open the parachute (ASL and AGL) for the LZ
5. Explain the process of jumping while on route, to ensure first time jumpers know the process as well
6. Switch the light to red in the vehicle, and ensure the paratroopers are quiet and ready to jump
7. Switch the light to green and call each number in order, instructing paratroopers to jump when they hear their number