What is Required to Execute Air Strikes within the Close CAS Zone?
First, establish qualified Air Force ground terminal controllers in positions where they can execute missions using direct control procedures when releasing weapons, i.e., giving clearance to drop/fire. According to the Joint Publication 3-09.3, “Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Close Air Support,” positive control means the TACP is able to observe and control the attack. To the NTC, this means the TACP knows his ground forces’ locations (usually he’s collocated), sees the target area, and can observe the attacking aircraft with enough clarity to verify it is oriented on the target area. Forward Air Controllers-Air (FAC-As) can accomplish these requirements when aircraft are operating at medium and high altitudes. Experience has shown that if an aircraft visually augments his flight path, such as shooting off periodic flares, a ground TACP can distinguish fighter orientation between 6,000 and 8,000 feet above ground level (AGL). Above that altitude, it is almost impossible
