Close air support is a valuable tool in eliminating tactical threats, but like many tools, there are times when it is useful and times when it is dangerous. The conditions outlined below have been created to both protect friendly forces from injury or death while also ensuring the highest probability that the intended target is destroyed and the mission is successful.

1. Effective Training and Proficiency

Both pilots and FACs need to have a basic ability to understand the nuances of close air support. However, given the intense training required for FACs and pilots in the TIE Corps, this is rarely a concern and only comes up when working with allied governments.

2. Planning and Integration

Planning is essential, and integrating CAS operations with unit command decisions is a must. FACs need to know where friendly troops will be moving towards in order to ensure that the risk of fratricide is minimized.

3. Command and Control

This asks a simple question: can the FAC contact and control the aircraft? Depending on the battlefield, this may be difficult or impossible, especially if the enemy has sophisticated communications jamming or other electronic countermeasures.

4. Air Superiority

In any area where CAS operations will be taking place, it is important that the Emperor's Hammer or allied forces have air superiority. In an area contested by enemy aircraft, risks to both aircrews and soldiers on the ground increase dramatically.

5. Target Marking

The ability to mark a target is important, providing increase accuracy for ordnance and protecting friendly forces from fratricide. However, if target marking, whether it be through lasers, radar, or artillery signals, is not possible, CAS operations can still continue (as will be demonstrated in a later section).

6. Streamlined and Flexible Procedures

FACs should have the freedom and ability to move away from the main body of friendly forces to set up observation posts and conduct reconnaissance. In addition, the FAC and the commander he is supporting should be in agreement on the nature of CAS strikes and the rules of engagement in the theater of operations.

7. Appropriate Ordnance

ordnance selection is an important aspect of ensuring a CAS mission is wholly successful. Payloads that are too small may be ineffective against dug-in or armored targets, while weapons that are too damaging may kill friendly forces, create unforeseen geographic disturbances, or lead to unnecessary civilian casualties.

8. Favorable Environmental Conditions

As a rule of thumb, CAS operations should only be conducted when visibility is 3,000 meters or greater, as any less hinders the FAC's and pilot's ability to acquire the target. Additionally, CAS sorties should never be carried out when there are sand storms or blizzards unless an accurate form of orbital targeting is employed and visual contact can be established with the target.

Continue to "Mission Planning Basics"