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IFF PROCEDURES ARE IMPORTANT

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Identification Friend or Foe procedures are the primary positive means of aircraft identification in Air Defense operations (FM 100-103, Army Airspace Command Control in a Combat Zone, Final Draft). Proper use of IFF procedures facilitates rapid engagement of enemy aircraft, conserves Air Defense assets, and reduces risk to friendly aircraft.

More Practice Required

Training exercises throughout the world, Army studies, and contingency operations indicate that these procedures are not adequately practiced. This is primarily a training problem with some material implications.

USAREUR Strategy

Based upon their training experiences, USAREUR developed and implemented a strategy to improve combat readiness in the IFF arena. This training strategy has five major components.

• Training. As a minimum, one exercise per quarter will have the use of the MARK XII IFF system (for both Army Aviation and Air Defense units) as a major training objective.

• Operational Use. All Army aircraft will code and operate the MARK XII IFF system on all missions. Applicable SHORAD systems will code and operate the IFF system during all training and maintenance operations and the STINGER Tracking Head Trainers will use a coded live IFF system interrogator for all training operations.

• Equipment Status Reporting. Status of MARK XII IFF system components will be reported on the Unit Status Report.

• Evaluation. Individual and unit proficiency in the tasks (keying and challenging) associated with the IFF system will be assessed through internal evaluations, informal unit visits, and external evaluations during REFORGER 88.

• IFF Overwatch Task Force (OTF). The OTF will resolve problems identified in the execution of the strategy and disseminate IFF information.

Other Initiatives

The Communications and Electronics Command (CECOM) is procuring an APM 424 test set for testing IFF transponders. This test set is much easier to use than the current set. Seven hundred test sets will be purchased over the next two years.

The National Training Center (NTC) is developing ways to overcome the limitations of STINGER MILES to ensure that the MARK XII IFF system is fully utilized.

Bottom Line: Practice

The bottom line of IFF is that its use needs to become second nature (through lots of practice) for both Air Defenders and Aviators. The USAREUR strategy is a good outline of what needs to be done. In order to insure fully integrated IFF training, HIMAD systems and the Air Force (as well as allied forces) need to be incorporated into an overall program. If your unit has additional insights on IFF training, let us know about them and any lessons learned relative to the IFF problem.

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