ATP-3-94-2 HIMARS Deep Operations Download
Page 53 of 72
Aviation in the Deep Area 1 September 2016 ATP 3-94.2 B-7 SEAD asset as long as the coordination and deconfliction are thoroughly conducted. However, those systems will then not be available for employment by the ground maneuver forces. SUSTAINMENT B-42. Conducting operations in the deep area may involve operating well outside the range and capabilities of support forces. This requires detailed planning and integration of support assets in order to extend the range of the attack forces as well as minimize the risk associated with operations in the deep area. REFUEL/REARM B-43. Attacks in the deep area often occur at distances well outside the reach of logistical support services such as refueling and rearming. It may be necessary to establish a FARP to increase the range of the aircraft or decrease sustainment turnaround times. B-44. If FARPs are used, commanders must consider setup times, locations, duration of the operation, mobility, capabilities, and survivability. Security for FARPs beyond the FLOT should be a primary concern as the FARP may be a critical component to the attack operation. While the FARP may self-secure using internal assets, assigning external assets if available ensures adequate security for this high-value asset. PROTECTION B-45. Typically, a high-risk operation, conducting attacks in the deep area means ground maneuver forces may not be operating near or responsive to the deep operation. Therefore, a detailed personnel recovery plan should be in place to locate and recover isolated personnel should an aircraft be shot down. A dedicated personnel recovery aircraft should be identified, if possible, to support an immediate extraction of the isolated personnel. B-46. Employing UAS forward to confirm or deny the existence of an enemy IADS does not expose aircrew to surface-to-air threats; however, employing manned aircraft in the deep area requires detailed planning to ensure the rapid recovery of isolated personnel while minimizing impact to the operation. Employing electronic warfare capabilities may suppress enemy air defense systems temporarily to allow safe passage during the ingress and egress phases of the operation. IADS that exploit limitations in current aircraft survivability equipment should be considered high-payoff targets and destroyed prior to deep operations. PREPARATION B-47. Allowing adequate time for subordinate units to prepare for the operation is critical to the execution of the operation. During preparation, the plan may be refined as information is collected. The subordinate units require time to plan and prepare their forces for the operation. INFORMATION COLLECTION B-48. While information collection operations are continuously being conducted during operations in the deep area, preparing for the operation requires increased surveillance of the objective and air route reconnaissance of the ingress and egress routes. Commanders should take every opportunity to improve their situational understanding of the enemy and terrain and provide a decision whether to execute the operation with a go/no-go brief prior to execution. SUSTAINMENT PREPOSITIONING B-49. Due to the additional force requirements and execution time required for sustainment support operations, sustainment support is pre-positioned and established prior to the execution of the operation. FARPs are deployed to the planned execution site, security is established, and the status of the FARP contributes to the go/no-go brief.