ATTACK
HELICOPTERS/
JOINT
AIR ATTACK TEAMS (JAAT)
Both Army and Air Force air assets possess significant combat power potential, but must be employed against enemy formations at fleeting points of vulnerability. Since there is a delay between time of request and arrival, synchronized employment is both critical and difficult to effect. Prior planning and IPB determinations are crucial.
Initial coordination and packaging of air assets should normally be done at brigade, with final control coordinated closely between the Air Battle Captain and the task force in whose sector they are going to be employed. When in a task force sector, activities at the point of attack must be conducted in conjunction with the directions of the TF commander since he is responsible for the overall synchronization of the battle in that area.
Experience indicates that the best coordinated JAATs are commanded by the Air Battle Captain, with an AO and FAC riding in his aircraft.
Effective employment of attack helicopters in conjunction with ground forces requires detailed planning and coordination down to task force level. To retain flexibility, planning needs to be accomplished in as many likely areas of employment as possible. While much can be accomplished over the radio as the battle is raging, the odds of success are far greater given planning and detailed face-to-face coordination prior to the battle. Coordination should include task force graphic control measures, likely aircraft battle positions and approach routes, Airspace Coordination Areas, plans for suppression of enemy air defense, communications to include anti-jamming contingencies, locations of chemical contamination, and of most importance -- provisions for real time intelligence. We can potentially lose an unacceptable number of aircraft to enemy small arms, tank, and AT fire by flying nap of the earth through valleys occupied by the enemy. Attack aviation needs locations of enemy platoons and companies "now" rather than a fix on battalions and regiments an hour ago. The required level of detail and timeliness can only be provided by units in contact.
The efficient operation and careful positioning of Forward Arming and Refueling Points (FARPs) are critical to attack helicopter mass.
The altitude dilemma -- attack helicopters above the skyline are quickly detected, even at stand-off ranges; yet, firing positions too close to the ground sometimes have dust signatures which can also be quickly spotted. Use of backdrop can provide an escape from this dilemma.
An attack helicopter's rate of maneuver is far less than the aircraft's potential speed. The time required to get an aircraft into position to engage the enemy is a function of IPB, reconned and rehearsed routes, knowledge of enemy locations, and the depth of prior coordination between the ground commander and Air Battle Captain.
While flank engagements are normally preferred, sometimes there are advantages to the frontal attack of a column formation. Effective fire from the front can cause the enemy to deploy -- an action which takes time to accomplish and reduces his subsequent rate of movement. Also, the nature of a column formation is such that weapons can quickly place fire on attacking helicopters to the flanks.
Table
of Contents
Defensive
Chemical Measures
Attack
Techniques
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