Example 1 - Immediate request with wrong readback and re-engagement:

Due to its nature this request is performed under immense pressure and the FAC may not be able to get a lot of information but needs urgent assistance. Hence, the request is rather sparse, and the pilot will have a lot of freedom.

CAS Brief

This example is very sparse and the pilot will read back the last item wrong.

FAC: Lightning 5-1, this is Phoenix 8, requesting immediate CAS.

CAS: Phoenix 8, this is Lightning 5-1, immediate CAS request.

 

FAC: Target 2 Urals & 2 squads dismounted in the open, Grid 1234 tack 5678.

CAS: Target 2 Urals & 2 squads dismounted in the open, Grid 1234 tack 5678.

 

FAC: Marked with red smoke, Friendlies DANGER CLOSE South 150 m, BREAK. Engage until destroyed, PUSH WHEN READY.

CAS: Marked with red smoke, Friendlies DANGER CLOSE South 250 m, BREAK. Engage until destroyed, PUSH WHEN READY.

FAC: NEGATIVE, Friendlies DANGER CLOSE South 150 m.

CAS: Friendlies DANGER CLOSE South 150 m.

FAC: CORRECT, OUT.

 

Attack Phase

In this example, the aircraft won’t report IP INBOUND, as no IP was designated by the FAC, the FAC won’t report VISUAL as he is pinned down and cannot leave cover. Further because of this he cannot perform surveillance until the enemy fire has died down significantly.

Aircraft leaves the CP/HA

CAS: PUSHING

FAC: CONTINUE

The FAC puts the mark onto the target and gives corrections from it to the Aircraft as his smoke bounced off the target

FAC: From the red smoke, West 200 m

CAS: TALLY, IN from the EAST

FAC: CLEARED TO ENGAGE

CAS: GUNS

Aircraft egresses off the target and performs BDA himself as he is cleared for multiple engagements

CAS: EGRESSING South, 1 Ural and 1 fireteam destroyed, re-engaging

FAC: ROGER

Aircraft comes in for another run (Do note, that the FAC doesn't need to clear the aircraft again, as he already cleared it for multiple engagements by stating "CLEARED TO ENGAGE" on the first run).

CAS: TALLY, IN from the East

FAC: ROGER

CAS: GUNS

Aircraft egresses off the target and performs BDA himself

CAS: EGRESSING South, all targets destroyed

FAC: ROGER

The FAC now performs his own BDA to confirm the spotting made by the aircraft.

 

End of Mission

The FAC confirms the spotting by the aircraft and ends the CAS-strike to free up the asset for other tasking.

FAC: Lightning 5-1, Phoenix 8, end of mission, 2 Urals destroyed, estimate 20 casualties.

FAC: Phoenix 8, Lightning 5-1, end of mission, 2 Urals destroyed, estimate 20 casualties, OUT.

 

Example 2 - Complicated target of opportunity:

As this is not an immediate request, the FAC tries to give the pilot as much information as he can, to minimize the risk of friendlies on the ground, as well as of the aircraft.

CAS Brief

This example is rather detailed. Because on the target are AAA positions that will be suppressed by IDF, to open the aircraft a window for the attack, the FAC will provide an IP with a heading for the pilot as well as an egress-direction that keep the aircraft clear of the line of fire of the IDF. Due to the needed coordination with the IDF, also a TOT will be specified around which the IDF will supress the enemies air defenses. Further the FAC will use a Laser designator to enable a precision strike and to ease the weapons release for the pilot, as he can use LOAL-ordnance.

FAC: Lightning 5-1, this is Phoenix 8, requesting CAS.

CAS: Phoenix 8, this is Lightning 5-1, CAS request.

 

FAC: Target 1 command bunker in the open, Grid 1234 tack 5678.

CAS: Target 1 command bunker in the open, Grid 1234 tack 5678.

 

FAC: IP Texas with heading 160°, Marked with Laser with direction 180°, BREAK. Friendlies North 1000 m, Egress Northeast, climb to 3000 m, BREAK. We will perform SEAD on the target with Gun-Target-Line 200°, TOT is 0900.

CAS: IP Texas heading 160°, Marked with Laser direction 180°, BREAK. Friendlies North 1000 m, Egress Northeast, climb to 3000 m, BREAK. SEAD on the target with Gun-Target-Line 200°, TOT is 0900.

FAC: CORRECT, OUT.

 

Attack Phase

In this example, due to the in-depth-planning no problems occur and the aircraft directly finds the Laser, which is on the target, and therefore also directly the target.

Aircraft leaves the CP/HA and gives the warning to prepare the Laser Designator

CAS: PUSHING

FAC: CONTINUE

CAS: TEN SECONDS

FAC: ROGER

Aircraft passes the IP and asks for the Laser to be activated and aquires it

CAS: IP INBOUND

FAC: CONTINUE

CAS: LASER ON

FAC: LASING

CAS: LOOKING

Aircraft visually confirms the target

CAS: TALLY, IN from the Northwerst

FAC: CLEARED HOT

CAS: PICKLE 2.

Aircraft egresses off the target

CAS: EGRESSING Norteast, climbing to 3000

FAC: ROGER

The FAC now performs his BDA to assess if another attack is required or if the target has been destroyed.

 

End of Mission

Due to the precision-ammunition the target is also destroyed after one attack. The FAC confirms that the target is destroyed and ends the CAS-strike to free up the asset for other tasking.

FAC: Lightning 5-1, Phoenix 8, end of mission, 1 command bunker fully destroyed.

FAC: Phoenix 8, Lightning 5-1, end of mission, 1 command bunker fully destroyed, OUT.

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CREDITS
This SOP has been contributed to by 1 editors:
Major James
Sergeant Jochem

REFERENCES
UNITAF Standard Operating procedures (SOP) are adapted primarly from US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). Our written and audio procedures are a combination of the following primary source materials, as well as our own learnings, modifications and adaptations:
- US Army Techniques Publication, Infantry Platoon and Squad (ATP 3-21.8)
- Soldier’s Manual of Common Tasks Warrior Leader Skills Level 2, 3, and 4 (STP 21-24-SMCT)
- The Warrior Ethos and Soldier Combat Skills (FM 3-21.75 / FM 21-75)
- Leadership Development (FM 6-22)
- Dyslexi's Tactics, Techniques, & Procedures for Arma 3 (TTP3)

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