Military

4. Deliberate planning allows the aviation unit executing the mission adequate time to plan, prepare, load the system, rehearse, and conduct PCCs for the mission.

5. The Air Volcano is also covered in the engineer annex of the unit operations order and on the engineer graphics.

6. Once the location for the Air Volcano minefield has been identified in support of either the close fight of the ground tactical plan or the attack aviation deep fight, execution triggers must be identified. These triggers to employ the minefield must be based on clearly defined enemy events. They must not be executed based on time estimates, regardless of the enemy situation. Once the event trigger(s) is determined, the decision to execute the Air Volcano is translated to an event on the decision support template (DST).

(1) Believe it or not, the enemy sometimes misses their line of departure (LD) time also. For example, a unit is convinced that the enemy will attack at 0800. Their 4-hour duration Volcano is planned for execution at 0500, just in case the enemy attacks early. But all too often, the enemy attacks at about 1000, and the Volcanos self-destructed at 0900. This, obviously, has no effect on enemy maneuver.

(2) If the enemy never runs into the scatterable minefield, the unit has completely wasted this critical asset. Unfortunately, this happens quite often because the enemy has also read Murphy's Laws of Combat, and knows that the "easy way is always mined."

(1) The triggers are Named Areas of Interest (NAIs) and are incorporated into the S2's reconnaissance and surveillance (R&S) plan. An observer must be assigned responsibility for the NAI (a scout or combat observation lasing team [COLT], for example).

(2) If scouts or COLTs are not located deep enough to observe the triggers, or have already been tasked to cover other NAIs, then consider attack or reconnaissance helicopters, if available. Attack aviation usually conducts a deep fight anyway, so tie them into the R&S plan for observation of any deep triggers.

(3) Assign criteria to the NAI. In other words, determine a size and type of enemy element that is worthy of employing a Volcano minefield. Do not employ an 1115-meter minefield because a regimental reconnaissance vehicle or division reconnaissance team (DRT) passed through the NAI. Use the forward security element (FSE), advance guard, or similar size element as a trigger for employment.

II. EXECUTE

1. To ensure proper placement of the minefield, have engineers or the overwatching unit mark the start and end points of the minefield. This not only ensures proper placement of the obstacle, but also helps avoid fratricide.

2. To assist in ensuring accurate and timely placement of the minefield, mark an initial point (IP) for the aircraft. The IP is an easily identifiable terrain feature with which the pilot can align his run, already flying in the proper direction parallel to and on line with the orientation of the minefield. This will allow the pilot to transition into the final run for the execution of the minefield without having to make any drastic turns prior to the start point.

3. Use Aircraft Readiness Condition Levels (REDCON Levels) to increase responsiveness. A REDCON level varies by SOP, but an example is REDCON-3 (30 minute launch criteria), REDCON-2 (aircraft on auxiliary power unit [APU], 15 minute launch time), REDCON-1.5 (engines at idle, 5 minute launch time), REDCON-1 (engines at fly ready for takeoff).

(1) Gives the crew the best enemy and friendly situational awareness.

(2) Shortens the flight route and execution time.

(3) Saves fuel (thus increasing station time).

(4) Provides excellent command and control for the ground maneuver commander/S3.

(5) Bolsters security for the aircraft.

4. To synchronize the effort and pull it all together, communications are critical.

(1) The unit that marked the minefield's start and end points can talk the aircraft in to the target from the IP and ensure proper and accurate placement of the minefield. Have an observer on the ground adjust placement, if required, and communicate with the pilot.

(2) The observer can also warn the pilot of any known dangers in the vicinity of the target area or the approach route.

(3) Upon completion of the mission, the observer can confirm the employment of the minefield at the planned location and then send up the required scatterable minefield report (SCATMINREP) to higher HQ. The task force and brigade engineer should transmit the SCATMINWARN report to all units, with confirmation from the aviation LNO, once the trigger has been initiated.

5. Several units at the NTC have made use of either an Air Volcano request form or a planning card. These are useful and efficient tools for planning Air Volcano missions, and should be included as products of the air mission briefing (AMB) or attached to the unit operations order.

IN SUMMARY

Recommend the following TTPs for the execution of Air Volcano minefields:

• The Air Volcano mission must be included in the MDMP, IPC, and AMB.
• Detailed route and mission planning will lead to a refined and successful SEAD plan.
• Develop enemy event-based triggers for execution.
  • The triggers are observed NAIs and part of the R/S plan.
  • The triggers can be observed by scouts, COLTs, and observation and attack aircraft.
  • Establish NAIs to execute appropriate aircraft REDCON levels.
• Mark minefield start and end points (center line if required).
• Establish an FAA or a holding area for the aircraft to reduce reaction time.
• Establish an IP for the aircraft to reduce employment time and line up the run.
• Establish ground-to-air communications (aircraft frequency and call sign).
  • Ground observer talks aircraft in to the target from the IP.
  • Aircrew and observer execute a full-dress rehearsal.
  • Observer and aircrew confirm proper placement of minefield.
  • Observer and aircrew conduct SCATMINREP.
• Use an Air Volcano card for planning and execution.
• Use lethal, non-lethal, and obscuration SEAD during execution to increase aircraft survivability.
• Use AH-64s and OH-58Ds in the escort role and in overwatch of the target area.

Following these procedures will not only ensure successful mission accomplishment with the accurate and efficient employment of Air Volcano minefields, it will also help prevent fratricide. The outcome of the vignette below is completely avoidable as long as we continue to "Train the Force."