ISAF 2009-2013 - ACO Building - AEW and Tactical C2 - Kneeboard (6/x)
All the subjects covered in the previous 2 posts (airborne early warning and ground tactical C2 elements) have been integrated into an example layout for the Afghan theater.
You will find:
several AWACS tracks examples.
E-2 Hawkeye: operating from a carrier, the E-2 would primarily remain in the southern part of the theater due to range limitations. Even with AAR support, maximum flight time is roughly 10 hours, and crews would rarely exceed 8 hours to ensure a safe carrier recovery. Nevertheless, from southern Afghanistan the E-2 can still provide full coverage of the entire southern sector;
E-3 Sentry: based at Mazar-e-Sharif, the E-3 could deploy virtually anywhere in the theater. Remember, however, that the aircraft requires about one hour to bring all mission systems online, so placing it directly overhead just after takeoff is pointless, as it would not yet be combat-ready;
Border Racetracks / ELINT: the racetracks along the borders provide valuable ELINT coverage, giving AWACS a direct intelligence role in monitoring the theater and nearby states. These tracks sit very close to national borders; if a neighboring country’s status rises to "potentially hostile", increase standoff distance to at least 50 Nm. If a threat is suspected, increase separation further: 150 NM is the bare minimum. If the adversary fields very long-range weapons (e.g., R-37M), even these distances may still be unsafe;
Generic Racetracks: the tracks shown are generic patterns used when the AWACS is not supporting a specific operation. During active missions, the aircraft is tasked “on demand” to positions that maximize radio and radar coverage, typically inside a CGRS grid or “Kill Box.”
a layout with four distinct BMAs.
each BMA includes a dedicated CRC, with its own callsign and frequencies;
the boundary between the NW and SW BMAs is drawn to include all of Helmand Province and Camp Bastion’s airspace in the SW BMA. The NW BMA covers approaches to airfields such as Farah and Shindand;
when an AWACS is airborne, it may assume CRC responsibilities for the entire BMA or only for a designated portion of it;
each BMA is supported by several friendly radar sites, most positioned at major protected airfields. The Kabul radar can be considered a dual-use asset and is placed on the nearest high peak to provide unobstructed 360° coverage at medium and high altitude.
a full set of tactical frequencies for the AWACS, to be used to support several missions simultaneously.
most tactical frequencies listed are UHF. A smaller number of VHF or HF channels are available if required (e.g., on the E-3: more than 10 UHF channels, several with Have Quick, but only 2–3 VHF and 2–3 HF channels);
the frequencies are defined by their color code, as detailed in an earlier post.
a proposed format for initial Check-in Brief and Inflight Report with the tactical C2.
the check-in brief is used once at initial contact with the first C2 agency. It is then shared via chat with all participants and does not need to be repeated unless specifically requested;
note that the "AS FRAGGED" brevity can be used to expedite the Check-in brief if everything is as tasked in the ATO;
the inflight Report should be transmitted as soon as RTB clearance is granted. While the crew usually initiates the RTB decision (end of playtime, end of slot, or completion of tasking), it must always be confirmed by C2. If a higher-priority task emerges, C2 may retask the flight, possibly after AAR. If technical or operational constraints prevent this (maximum flight time, system limitations, etc.), the flight must inform C2. Ultimately, the decision is never entirely unilateral.
generic Check-in and Inflight formats can be found in references such as the MTTP for Air Control Communications. Theaters adapt these formats to local requirements, and the final official version is typically published in the SPINS (SPecial INStructions).
As usual, you will find attached both the .pdf file with the corresponding kneeboard pages, and the .cf file overlay for CombatFlite.
