Operational Navigation Flight Training Instruction
Two-Plane Road Reconnaissance
THE ATTACK
A successful search for targets of opportunity will result in an attack or reconnaissance of that target or
both. The attack used will be the 30-degree DIVE you learned in weapons stage. The new portion of the
attack will be the pop-up or climb to an apex altitude, followed by a roll-in and delivery of your simulated
weapon. You must remain within the boundaries of the route altitudes and lateral limits while conducting
your attacks. There are three basic elements of the attack call. The first two are essential to the success
of the attack and mutual support off-target; the third is good to have so there is efficient use of ordnance.
1.
Target acquisition and description.
2.
Egress instructions.
3.
Contract or assignment of targets.
TARGET ACQUISITION AND DESCRIPTION
The tactical lead is responsible for target acquisition and description. Depending upon environmental
factors along the route (dust, haze, vegetation, sun angle), the target may be anywhere from 3 1/2 miles to
the forward visual limit. Typically, targets should be called from 5-10 miles from the target. There are two
types of attack calls. The first is the normal call for targets in the 5-10 miles range. The second is the
directive call for targets between 3 1/2 miles-5 miles. Targets within 3 1/2 miles of the section are too
close to attack based upon the attack profiles to be used. Targets in this range should be called so a
reconnaissance or "RECCE" may be conducted. When a target is acquired, the lead will talk his
wingman's eyes onto the target with the following order:
1.
Location: (Side of road/linear following feature or position relative to section.)
2.
Distance.
3.
Description.
The transmission should be relaxed and concise to avoid confusion and retransmission. An example:
"Kreepy has a target, right side of the road, six miles, refinery." Once this basic call is made, stop and
allow the wingman to transmit "tally" or "no joy." The benefit of starting with the side of the road is that it
effectively eliminates half of the wingman's world to scan. The distance will cue the eyes to a general
range, and finally the target description. Most of the time, the targets on the route will be fixed in nature
rather than mobile targets. A good target for our purposes is one that can be seen by our wingman.
Although it is fun to be creative in these descriptions, it is better to describe what is actually seen. "Troops
in the open," for example, would be meaningless to a wingman trying to acquire what the lead is describing
unless that is actually what you see.
If the wingman is unable to acquire the target, he should transmit "no joy." Lead will continue to describe
the target until the wingman calls "tally" or it is time for the pop-up to begin. It is best to describe the target
from big to small details. For example, if there is a large town that can be seen easily, you can begin by
reference to the town and walk the wingman's eyes from the town toward the target with smaller details.
The call may be something like this: "From the northwest corner of the town, follow the thin white road one
mile west." Hopefully "tally" is the next call.
If the lead is unable to talk the wingman's eyes on and/or the target is too close (3 1/2-5 miles) for a full
description, the directive attack call will be necessary. This call will go like this: "Zoro, get your nose up,
target right side of the road, four miles, three trucks heading south." At this point, the wingman and lead
will execute the pop-up attack profile which will be discussed, and the wingman will work to get a tally on
the target. Whether the wingman gets a tally or not, the lead will continue to pursue the target and make a
valid attack.
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