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Military

SECTION II

TA. 3 AIR DEFENSE BOS

Needs Emphasis

3.1 Process Air Targets

* ADA units' understanding of states of alert (SOAs): ADA units do not routinely use or understand SOAs.

PROBLEM: Units incorrectly use the air defense warning system to control the level of readiness of ADA fire units. Either all ADA fire units are at the highest state of alert or they are at the lowest. If at the highest alert, fire units individually lower their readiness not based on the air threat but because of fatigue.

Technique: ADA units need to learn to use SOAs linked to the IPB and air defense warning system to strike a balance between readiness and sustained operations. Develop SOPs and SOAs that reflect the required level of readiness based on IPB and air defense warning system.

* Maneuver unit understanding of early warning systems: Too many brigades still perceive that directed early warning (received on the FM DEW net) is for air defense forces only.

PROBLEMS:
  1. Majority of brigades have effective air attack early warning dissemination procedures, but lack drills associated with the early warning/change in ADW/WCS.

  2. Some units still do not use local air defense (LADWs) IAW current FMs.

  3. There is never enough air defense to cover every critical asset in a BCT's sector. Therefore, CAFADs must be employed to enhance the air defense coverage.

Techniques:

1. All units, not just air defenders, must become familiar with current early warning doctrine and incorporate it into their operations.

2. Units should practice air attack drills at all echelons (particularly platoon and company/ team) as part of routine training.

3. Air defenders should take the lead on teaching current air defense doctrine so maneuver units can "help themselves" when under air attack.

* Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle (BSFV) platoon receipt of early warning information: BSFV platoons have inadequate SOPs for receiving early warning information.

PROBLEM: Some platoon SOPs for communication plans direct that no BSFV platoon elements monitor the Division Early Warning (DEW) net. Instead, platoons monitor the ADA battery command net which is tasked to monitor and retransmit all early warning information. This system is inadequate because:

- the ADA battery cannot always maintain communications with all subordinate elements due to terrain/distance
- lack of redundancy

Techniques:

1. BSFV platoon communications plans should have at least one squad per section monitor the DEW net.
2. The ADA platoon leader and the platoon sergeant/squad leader should monitor the battery net.

3.1.2.2 Determine System Availability for Air Engagement

* Coordinating ADA and fire support assets to destroy enemy helicopters: ADA units do not consistently coordinate with fire support assets to destroy enemy rotary wing operations.

PROBLEM: ADA LNOs spend a considerable amount of time analyzing when, where, and how enemy helicopters will attack. Helicopter attack positions and likely PZs/LZs for air assaults are templated on ADA and S2 SITEMPs. Air defenders quickly realize the difficulty of killing HINDs operating in rough terrain while employing weapons at max stand off range. However, air defenders do not always turn to the fire support BOS for help.

Techniques:

1. Coordinate between the FSE and ADA to produce devastating results on templated HIND positions.

2. When tied to early warning, fires can be brought to bear at precisely the right time and place (particularly for air assaults) to nullify the threat.

Procedure: Field artillery should develop standard TTPs for suppression of enemy air. Process for ADA and Fire Support Element (FSE) coordination should be formal, taught in schools and written in doctrine.

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