The anatomy of air-ground coordination

Media

Part of Philippine Armed Forces Journal

Title: The anatomy of air-ground coordination
Language: English
Source: Philippine Armed Forces Journal Volume IX (No. 6) August 1956
Rights
Fulltext: I By Captain Teodorico P. Antonio, INF O.UND system of air.ground coordination is essential whenever clements of the Air Force and an Area Command participate ln a joint operation. There must be a rapid and an uninterrup lcd flow of current intelligence and other information between the two in order to achieve maximum effectiveness of air-ground operations. Landings on Leyte beginning October 19, 1944 were marked by the almost-perfect coordination of land, sea and air forces of both the United States Anny and the United States Navy, with the forces working as one magnificent team. Air forces covered the operations that took General MacArthur to Manila, Bataan and Corregidor. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, supreme commander of the allied expeditionary forces, organized his armies on the European Continent by attaching to them tactical air units. In a report of invasion operatiOns between D-day on June 6 and August 25, 1944, he said, "the air support of ground forces has been most effective throughout the campaign. The supply and maintenance services have performed miracles." . When General Mark Clark's army vidual air attacks is not mandatory, entered Rome, he stated that the and behind which air units may atTwelfth's "splendid air effort had tack only when the attack is cleared enabled us to show the enemy how by appropriate ground forces and the irresistible the air-ground combina- aircraft are in contact with a Taction can become." tical Air Control Party (TACP). All these go to show that effec- Maximum ordinates (of artillery or tiveness of air effort is of utmost naval gunfire). - The highest altiimportance to ground forces. tude reached by a projectile, in relaBut tactical air operations are not tion to the surface of the earth. an isolated phase of a battle. They Processing in the order of events must be carried out in close conjunc- involves the analysis and evaluation tion with ground operations. Their of elements of information pertinent success cannot be judged by the num- to the mission desired. her of planes employed or the num- Air-Ground Operation System. - her of missions sent over a front, This system includes all ground and but only by how well the overall air personnel and units participating battle plan is carried out. in air-ground operations at all echeThis article is an informational on Ions of command. air-ground coordination. It is aimed Air Component at acquainting Journal readers on the The air components of the system different phases of air-ground coor- consist of specially assigned air force dination. units of the Tactical Air Control SysOefinition Of Terms tern and the tactical components of Aerial resupply. - Supply, other the Philippine Air Force. than that initially carried into com- The Tactical Air Control Group. - bat, delivered or destined to be de- The Tactical Air Control Group is livered by aircraft. the focal point of the system in an Bomb line. - A line, designated area command. It is an air-informaby the ground forces, beyond which tion, communications and control visual or electronic control of indi- center and has no command functions PHILIPPINES ARMED FORCES J OURNA L ~ -' 1'"1t other than those .spt>cifiC'ally clt>le- 9. ~:xercises operational contt·ol of gated. Responsible for the operation :u;si~ned liaison aircraft. of the Tactical Air Control System The Tartical Air Control Part) and the f'xerution of the assigned (TACP) is u tenm, SJiecially organfunctions of the Tactical Air Control ized to direct close air support Group is a Combat Air Otlel·ations strikeR in the vicinity of fonntrd OCficer. He represents the Com- groun1l elements. It is a highly manding General, PAF in each area mobilt:" element having air-to-ground command and through him, the Com- communications to sreto1 aircraft to manding General. PAF controls all targets ami ]!Oint-to-point communitactical air activities of the tactical cations to the TACG, support~ RCT components of the PAF. Headquarters and forward ell'mf'nts. A Tactical l\lobile Control Team is of supported BCTs. · a!:'sigued to the Tnctical Air Control The Forward Connoller is an I'll Group as the communication agency perienced-rated military pilot ami is to maintain liaison with the air anct familiar with the problems of taC' ground components of the air-ground tical air strikes against ground taroperations s~·stem. Liaison aircraft gets. He is responsible for the opeare assigned to th(> Tactical Air Con- ration of the Tactical Air Control lrol Group to a:~srst in visual recon- Party and the execution of all a~ naissance, airborne coordination and signed functions. ('Ontrol, air evacuation and courier Through the Tactical Air Conrrol missions. The Combat Air Opera- Party, the Forward Controller J>Cl'tions officer, through the Tactical Air forms the following functions: Control GroU]l, perfo1·ms the follow- 1, Advises the BCT Commanders ing functions: I Advises the Area Commander on matters pertaining to the employmeut of air tactical components and recommends air support neC'cssary to attain t;round objectives 2. Processes and acts on all requests for air support. 3 Directs Tactical Air Control Pa1·ties and Coordinators. I. Controls aircraft. S Provides na,·igational aids. 6. Coordinates air activities with ground activities through Mili· tary Area Headquarters. 7. Coordinates with air-surface rescue agencies. 8 Coordinates with adjarent Tactical Air Control Group. on matters pertaining to th!' er,,. p\oyment of air tactical' components and recommends the air support necessary to attain ground objectives. 2. Directs offensive air support aircraft to targets in th" vicinity of friendly positions and direct visual reconnaissance of specified areas. 3. Receives information (rom reconnaissance or other "aircraft for transmission to intcrest('d ground elements. 4. Reports the observed results of air strikes to TACG. s. Assists in the identification and location of friendly frontline units. l ., l '"' .. l ADVICE$ AREA COMORS Oft EMPLOYMENT Of AIR SUPPORT !. PROCESSES AND ACTS ON ALL AIR REQUESTS 3. DIRECTS TACP'S AND COORDINATORS. 4.CONTAO!.. AIRCRAFT S. PAOVlOES NAVIGATIONAL AID . 6.COORDINATES AIR ACTIVITIES WITH GROIJNO THRU MA HO . 7.COOROINATES AIR-SURFACE RESCUE. 8. COORDINATES WITH AOJACENT TACG'$, 9 . EXERCISES OPERATIONAL CONTROL Of ASSIGNED LIAISON AIRCRAFT. I. ADVICE$ BCT COMORS ON EMPLOYNENT Of AIR SUPPORT Z.OIRECTS AIRCRAFT$ TO TARGETS AND RECON AREAS. 3.RELAY INFO FROM AIRCRAFT TO INTERESTED GROUND ELEMENTS . 4. REP0RT AIR STRIKE RESULTS TO TACS . .1ASSISTS IN IDENTIFICATION AND LOCATION OF FRONT LINE UNITS TACTICAL AIR CONTROL GROUP PHILIPPINES ARMED FORCES JOURNAL An Airborne Coordinator is an ex- includes the interdiction activities of perienced Forward Controller who the air force in the furtherance of performs his functions from an air- a surface campaign. It is given to plane. He is utilized to provide air- ground forces by action against enemy , craft control during those operation- surface objectives other than enemy · al situations when air alert aircraft ground forces actually engaged in are provided and under which the the battle area or projected battle normal system of tactical aircraft area. control cannot operate efficiently. b. Close Air Support which inThe primary function of the Air- eludes those air force activities unborne Coordinator is to control and dertaken in direct support of ground coordinate close tactical air support forces to assist them in the accomstrikes. This generally includes; plishment of their immediate task in· 1. The coordination of aircraft in the battle area. Close air support attacks on targets as required. missions are closely integrated with 2. Radio report of target damaged the fire and movements of the sup( when possible). ported ground force elements, such 3. The location of targets and the mission being ordinarily performed direction of fighter aircraft in- in targets in the immediate proxito such targets. mity of friendly troops. Ground Component 2. Reconnaissance Air Support. - The ground components of the sys- This is provided for the purpose of tern consists of all units and head- obtaining such information on friendquarters involved in air-ground opera- ly and enemy disposition as would be tions. Ground components shall be of value in planning and executing responsible for: operations, including information on 1. Security of specially-assigned terrain, hydrography, lines af comAir Force units assigned with munication, installations, concentrathe area. tions and movements and weather 2. Providing ground observers to conditions. assist the Airborne Coordinator 8. Transport Air Support. - This or friendly aircraft in target is provided ground force& through the designation and identification. air lifting of personnel, equipment 3. SuQmitting requests for air and supplies including participation support. in airborne operations, and the conThe Air Support Categories. - duct of air drops and evacuation of Air support is divided into three; casualties. ' · namely, offensive air support, recon- GENERAL EMPLOYMENT naissance air support, and transport 1. The Air Request. - The sueair support. cess of air mission often is dependent 1. Ofrensi'Ye Air Support. - This upon adequate target information betype consists· of the application of ing provided the Tactical Air Con- .0.. ammunition by aircraft upon the trol Group. Air requests rri.ust inenemy as follows: elude sufficient information to pera. General Air Support which mit determination of force, armalr;>l .. ·~ ' ~ "' .. "' • .. ., ~ 10 "' "' RADIO NETS, AIR-GROUND OPNS ~"""-' COORDINATOR) -------.., _,..... . ./·/· ci:T ~~I TACP ' ' -b ----------'<,,,,_ -LEGEND~ 188 OR 193 ~ 694 <) 193 i 399 8 542 OR 522 543 ACTUAL TRANSMISSION OF REQUESTS MONITOR TCMT VECTORS FLIGHT T O TACP NOTIFIES ARRIVAL BY H.F. OVER AIR REQUEST FREQ PLANE TO PLANE OR PLANE TO GROUNO CONTACT AIR SUPPORT NET ment, and equipment requirements. tical Air Control Group, on pl·esF:rhelons initiating requests for tac- crihed forms whenever practicable. tital air support must include in their 2. Offensh·e Air Support. - requests all pertinent information a. General Air Support. available at those echelon~. Addi- These are generally planned at Ar('a tiona! pertinent information is sup- Headquarters. The interdiction propli('d at appropriate higher echelons. gram is prepared at Area Head<tuarAs much as possible, complete in- t('rs ancl includ('s the following tYJlt!ll formatir:m is submitt('d to the Tac-o( missions: {I) Armed Heeonnaissance.A fighter mission which ..J/ ~ searches a d('!lignated ar('a awl attacks all suitable targets found beyond the safety lines d('signated. This type of mission al- · lows considerable free· dom of action ;md are often highly remunerati\·e. However, it requires careful clearance of a•·eas designated as ta•·gl!ls. Res ponsibi\ily for clearance will rc main with Area Head quaTiers. Bombing missions. These missions are carried out by righter bombers to destroy conCentrations of troops, supplies and equipment. (3) Close Air Support.- Th(' following Air missions are associated with close support operations: (a) Column covers missions.- These protect vehicular columns of friendly 'ground forces from enemy attacks. If enemy resistance is expected to be light, reconnaissance l_lircraft perform visual aerial reconnaissance to the front, rear and flanks. [£ heavy ·• AUGUST lUI enemy resistance is e:x:.pecled, fighter air· craft are employed to attack enemy ground forces impeding or threatening the pro· gress of the column. These will he used only when the im· parlance of the mission of the column warrants (b) Bombing missions. - These are employed in close support operations to destroy strong points, concen· trations or troops, equipment and sup!)lies. A Tactical Air Control Party is usually located with forward troops or at any vantage point suitable for proper observation and control of fighter bomb· e1-s employed. Coor· dinators may he used to supplement Tac· tical Air Control Parties as the situation requires. (c) Air·to·ground Strikes. - These are the backbone of close air support. Targets are generally gun posi· lions, troop vehicit:S, and ot her equipment. {d) Reconnais. sance. - Photo rc· connaisiSance in close support operations in· eludes pin·points of predetermined points, oblique photograph)' to obtain maximum detail, strike assessments to determine damage done or de· gree of reco\·ery and camouflage detection to discover enemy forces in hiding. Visual reconnaissance includes adjustment of artillery fire, target location for the purpose of searchir1g a given area and rf'porting to friendly aircraft, ground for· ccs or the Tactical Control Group, the location of enemy forces. (e) Harassing misaions. - These include flights to deter enemy forces from attacking, flighta over target areas to isolate or pin down' the enemy aM other flights to an· noy, harass or demoralize enemy forces and other adhe~ent.s. 4. Reconnaissanc{' Air Support. These take the ~arne aspects as r;oconnaissance mis~ions performed in elose and general air support operations. Limitt.>d uncontrolled vertical and oblique Jlhotography is possible. Limitations on aircraft and equipment do not permit the execution of controlled photo reconnais· sance missions. PHILIPPINES ARMED FORCES JOURNAL Communications The Tactical Mobile Control Team is the communication component of the TACG. It is manned and equipped to permit 24-hour operation of the following: I. Net on HF with Task Force Hq. TACP, DCT's supported by TACP. 2. Net rm HF with PAF major bases. 3 VH ~~ contact with aircraft. 5- Transport Air Support. - This The Tactical Air Control Party is support includPs the following: jeep-monted to achieve high mobilit~· a. Airborne. - airborne sup- and permit it to operate dose to port utilizes cargo type air- front elements of SUJlported grouml craft to transport airborne forces. It is manned and cquiJlped troops and equipment to a to permit daylight operation of tht.> designated location. If troops following: arc airlifted and dropped by I. Net on HF with supported 11arachutes, general and close BCT's, TACG, and T~sk Force Hq. air support must be provid- 2 VHF contact w1th planes. ed. Generally, equiJlmPnt The air request net will be used and supplies will be druppcd only for the following traffic emby parachutes. These aerial ployment of communications: resuopl~· require the ma:d- 1- A1r requests. mu~ in planning, coordina- 2. Appro,·al of air requests by tion and timing. TACG b. ~~:;r:~:port~r-::e~es:.~~;~ ~- ~~~~~~::ii:; bo: ;~C~e~~~~~~·CP h - i . . . 1 of status of approved atr m1ss1ons. ~re 8~1mt~ee~:~~~119si~~~;~:n _Requests for prc-J~lanned missio~s re uires them. Troo s e ui _ w1ll always be sent ~~ cryp~ograp~1c m~nt and supplies p a~e q ai~- f?rm. Requests fo: Immediate m1~ lifted and landed at airfield Slons may be sent 10 clear. nearest battle areas. CW (A-1) or \'Oice (A-3) will be used for transmission o\'~~ the c Air £,·acuation. - Thc:;e art> air-request net. Jl('l·formed in conjunction CW (A-1) or voice (A-3) will be with other mi~sions, such as used for transmission o,·er thP air transport. Patients eva- air-support net. cuated gen<'rally require spe- Voice (A-3) will be used for air· dal hospitalization facilities to-air and air-to-ground contact. which must be made avail- In case two or more TACP's :II'(' able in the shortt.>st possibl(' operating simultaneously, TACG rootime. nitors both their frequencies conti... nuuusly and issues appropriate in- whenever applicable, and transmits structions over two or more corres- other information. ponding separate f requencies. A The Forward Controller contr<:tls TACP may be used as relay in cases and directs supporting aircraft and where there are commun[cation dif- gh·es on the-spot strike assessment ficulties bet1 \'Cen TACP's in distant reports if possihle. Whenever norbattle areas and the TACG. mal ground observation is impossible Separate SOPs governing air- he controls and directs aircraft h~· ground communication will be pre- using airborne coordinators or becompared by the Chief Signal Officer ing an airborn{' coordinator himself. for distribution to units concerned. Open communications must be f'StabProeedures For Employment lished with supported ground unit.!; Standing Operating Procedures and during the period air support actiinslructions will govern procedures vities are carried out Upon comfor the employment of the air- pletion of the mission, the aircwf~ ground operations system. clear TACPs, TACGs and return to Pre-planned missions. - The Com- their stations. bat Air Operations Office•· will attend Immediate Missions. - The~e misp\an ning conferences at the Area sions are those for which needs ca•l Headquarter!! and recommend the Air not be foreseen. These result from Operations Plans to support thf' ope- requests by ground units for immerations contemplated. He recommends diate help from the appearance ('Of air support that is proper and feasi- unexpected tl:reaL;:: Subordinate ble and establishes priorities for such units of a BCT t•·ansm1t 1he reqUP..sts air support. He coordinates with re- to the BCT through normal c'lmmtmd presentatives of other supporting channels. The BCT Hq processes the arms and notifies air units concerned request to determine if a more eco.,f the air support missions required. nomical m<>ans such as mortar or Upon acknowledgment by the air artillery suppol't is available to do units, he notifies the Area, liaison the job. If approved, the request is agencies, and TACPs. He directs transmitted direct to the TACG over TACPs in the area to move out to the air-request net in clear. TACG projected battle areas. The support either approves or disapproves the aircraft, after clearing their bases, mission. Intermediate headquarters report to the TACG for identifica- monitor the air-request channel. Sition and exchange of information. lence on the part of intermediat<> TACG then directs the airc raft to headquarters meaM appro,·a\ uf the the TACPs concerned. request. The Forwa rd Controller with the In cases where air alert aircraft TACP contac-ts the air support leader are provided. TACGs or TACPs hav· for transmission of new instructions ing control of such ai1·craft. will imor confirmation of previous instruc- mediately direct such aircraft to the ti<-ns. He designates and identifies targets and inform the BCT of the targets if necessary, indicates posi- action taken TACG may disapprove tions , • friendly troops, bomb lines *hr action of TACPs in this case.