Introduction

The aviation brigade is organized and equipped to support Army operations. It operates throughout the entire volume of a commander's battlespace. Aviation brigades are a fully integrated member of the combined arms team, conducting combat, combat support (CS), and combat service support (CSS) operations to support the Joint Force commander. It operates across the entire length and breadth of the battlefield (close, deep, and rear); it can be expected to conduct simultaneous operations 24 hours a day. — Imperial Army Field Manual FM 1-111

Aviation Doctrine

Modern army operations require worldwide strategic mobility, and, given this requirement, Army forces must have the capability to conduct operations in any environment under any conditions — welcome to the Hammer’s Fist Aviation Corps. Army aviation doctrine focuses on the integration and synchronization of aviation forces within the framework of the operational concepts of the land component commander. The ability to successfully fight and/or conduct other operations depends on the correct application of the five basic tenets of Army aviation doctrine. These tenets include —

1. Initiative: Initiative allows the commander to set the terms of battle. It retains friendly force options while limiting the enemy's options. Retaining the initiative requires planning beyond the initial operation.
   1. During the defense, operations are offensive in nature. Aviation's capabilities–such as speed, agility, and long—range direct fires–also allow the friendly force commander to set the terms of battle. Flexibility allows aviation commanders to attack from unexpected directions and locations.
   2. In combat operations, aviation commanders set the tempo by seizing the initiative. Commanders fight tenaciously and aggressively. They never allow the enemy to recover from the initial shock of an attack. They push soldiers and systems to the limits of their endurance for as long as necessary.
   3. In other operations, aviation commanders take the initiative by anticipating near— and long—term personnel, equipment, and logistical support requirements relative to the operation.
   
   
2. Agility: Agility is the ability of friendly forces to act faster than the enemy. It is a prerequisite for seizing and holding the initiative.
   1. In combat operations, aviation commanders exploit the agility of their units through speed, mobility, and reaction time capabilities. Technological developments in intelligence gathering, aviation mission planning, and communications have improved situational awareness during both the pre— and post—aircraft launch phases of an operation.
   2. This situational awareness provides an edge to aviation commanders. Aviation assets can now be directed to critical places at critical times on the battlefield. Furthermore, agility allows the aviation commander to rapidly rearm and refuel, get back into the fight, and continue to attack the enemy across the entire battlespace.
   3. In stability and support operations (SASO), aviation commanders use their assets to reach locations unreachable by other means of transportation. Aviation assets can move personnel, equipment, and supplies in large quantities and in a timely manner.
   
   
3. Depth: Depth is the extension of operations in time, space, resources, and purpose.
   1. In combat operations, aviation commanders understand depth–the ability to conduct simultaneous close, deep, and rear operations. They sustain the momentum by taking advantage of all available resources. They attack the enemy simultaneously in all battlefield dimensions. They have access to joint and combined arms capabilities. They can plan for, and control, numerous means of simultaneous or near—simultaneous ordnance delivery on multiple targets.
   2. In SASO, depth is the capability to conduct simultaneous, yet different type operations. For example, attack assets may be required to conduct reconnaissance throughout certain regions of an area of operations (AO). At the same time, medium—lift assets are transporting life support supplies in another part of the same AO; medical relief operations are being conducted in still another part of the same AO.
   
   
4. Synchronization: Synchronization is the application of military forces in time, space, and purpose to produce maximum relative combat power at the decisive time and place.
   1. In combat operations, aviation commanders understand synchronization–the planned integration and execution of combat power. Synchronization requires exact coordination among the various combat, CS, and CSS units in any operation as far as time. Joint and multinational asset capabilities must be considered where and when applicable.
   2. In SASO, aviation commanders must synchronize–both vertically and horizontally–planning phases, alert phases, deployment, early entry operations, mission execution, and redeployment.
   
   
5. Versatility:Versatility is the ability of units to meet diverse mission requirements. It is the essence of Army aviation.
   1. In combat operations, aviation commanders demonstrate versatility by their ability to shift focus, tailor aviation forces, and move from one role or mission to another rapidly and efficiently. Aviation forces must be prepared to deploy from one geographical region to another, and from one type of operation to another.
   2. In SASO, the aviation commander recognizes that mission requirements may not mirror the mission essential task list (METL) to which the aviation unit has trained. Non—METL based tasks require change in focus, rapid trainup, and execution under conditions outside the normal operating environment.

Missions

As a member of an Aviation Brigade, you’ll be responsible for carrying out a number of varied and critical missions, in multiple mission profiles. Aviation brigades are largely responsible for three types of missions — Combat, Combat Support (CS), Combat Service Support (CSS).

While fulfilling the Combat mission role, aviation maneuver forces engage in the destruction of enemy forces by direct fire, indirect fire, and standoff precision weapons in joint and combined arms missions. These missions include:

• Reconnaissance (Electronic and Standard) - obtaining information, locate and test enemy operations and report all activity in a given area of operations.
• Security — Maintaining combat air patrols over a given region, often a base or secured area, in order to remove the threat of aerial units and often used as an “eye-in-the-sky” to keep ground units out of the region as well.
• Attack — Fairly self explanatory. You’re loaded to the teeth with big weapons. You fly. You kill. You come home. You drink beer. Get it?
• Air Assault — Working with a trained air assault unit as the insertion vehicle.
• Special Operations — A very vague profile for aviation units. This could be anything from covert insertions using one of our dropships, to support of SpecOps missions (fire support, strike, etc.)
• Theatre Missile Defense — Used to keep an eye on the skies for incoming missiles, and take direct action against them.
• Support By Fire — Also known as “overwatch” or “air support.” When called to do so, the aviation unit is dispatched to support the movement of friendly forces by observing suspected enemy positions and engaging the enemy if he is visible or engaging friendly forces.
• Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) — The art of demoralizing enemy units by dropping leaflets, radio transmissions, etc.

While operating in the Combat Support Mission (CS) role, the aviation brigade and it’s members are responsible for the operational support and sustainment provided to forces in combat, which includes:

• Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C³I) — Providing the C³I functions for the ground troops from the air.
• Air Movement — The aerial transportation of Hammer’s Fist and allied ground forces from Point A to Point B.
• Electronic Warfare (EW) — EW has three sublevels: electronic attack, electronic protection, and EW Support. This will be covered later.
• Aerial Mine Warfare — Hardpoints are loaded with mine racks. You’ll be responsible for flying over a given area and dumping the mines in the specified region.
• Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) — When one of ours is lost in combat, the aviation units are deployed under the command of CINCSOCOM for recovery.
• Air Traffic Services (ATS) — Providing air traffic control (ATC) services at each of our bases, such as guiding in transports to runways.

An Aviation Brigade operating in the Combat Service Support (CSS) role will be responsible for the assistance provided to sustain combat forces, which include:

• Aerial Sustainment — Supplying our ground forces via the air with supply drops or aerial supply convoys (ASC’s).
• Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) — AKA: The Meat Wagon. If it’s dead or needs to be at an aid station, you can be assured you’ll be called up to carry it. Bring a mop.

Capabilities and Limitations

The aviation brigade conducts a wide variety of mission profiles in combined arms, join, and multinational environments. It significantly influences combat and non-combat missions by:

1. Conducting day, night, and limited visibility combat, CS, and CDD operations throughout the entire battlefield.
2. Weighting the combat power of the theater, corps, division, or brigade/regiment commander by rapidly maneuvering forces to achieve mass at the critical time and place.
3. Shaping the battlespace by providing near real-time intelligence on the enemy’s location, disposition, strengths, and insertions throughout the area of operations (AO).
4. Influencing the tempo of friendly and enemy operations.
5. Conducting join air attack team (JAAT) operations.
6. Conducting suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD).
7. Conducting air combat operations.

However, as mobile and lethal as the Hammer’s Fist Aviation Corps may be, it — like all other types of units — has limitations. The Corps are subject to operating limitations such as weather and obscuration effects on observation, acquisition, and engagement ranges of combat systems as well as the employment of all aviation forces, and limited capability to secure unit assembly areas (AAs). Obviously, the aviation unit can’t operate in all weather conditions. High winds often impede an aviation unit, while heavy rain, sleet, or snow can completely obscure a region, posing an extreme threat to our equipment. The limited capability to secure an AA is fairly obvious — during air operations, an aviation unit can’t easily hold ground targets without an attached ground unit.

Unit Organization

There are two primary types of aviation brigades used in the Hammer’s Fist: Theatre Specific Aviation Brigade (TSAB) and a Corps Aviation Brigade (CAB):

1. Theater Specific Aviation Brigade (TSAB): The mission of a TSAB is to support corps and division operations in the area of operations. Based on organizational structure, these units conduct combat, CS, and CSS according to theatre operational requirements. These brigades often conduct join, combined, and combined arms maneuver operations and support theatre special operations forces (SOF). These units primarily support tactical units in the corps and divisions, although theatre units may be required to conduct theatre rear area security, or to serve as a tactical reserve.
   
   Theatre Brigades are tailored specifically for the requirements of the theatre in which it operates. The Army Component Commander organizes these brigades based on the mission guidance from the theatres command in chief (CINC), and can easily be organized with any combination of attack, reconnaissance, assault, medium-lift, fixed-wing, and maintenance units. The normal structure would include a headquarters and headquarters company (HHC), one command aviation battalion, one fixed-wing theatre aviation battalion, one theater medium-lift battalion, and one Air Traffic Service (ATS) group. The theatre Army area command (TAACOM) is responsible for providing an aviation unit maintenance (AVIM) company to the brigade.
   
2. Corps Aviation Brigade (CAB): These units are primarily responsible for conducting attack, reconnaissance, security, air assault, command and control, air movement operations, and ATS throughout the corps area of operations. All missions are organized and carried out in support of the corps scheme of maneuver, and they can be expected to operate ANYWHERE in the corps area. Command of these units varies from the Theatre Specific units, in that the elements of the aviation brigade can operate directly for the corps commander, or be placed under operational control (OPCON) of a subordinate division.
   
   Composition of these units is standard, with minor modifications on a case-by-case basis for each unit based on area of operations. The Corps Aviation Brigade is composed of a Headquarters Company (HHC), an aviation assault battalion (AAB), a command aviation battalion (CAB), a combat support aviation battalion (CSAB), a medium-lift aviation battalion (MLAB), a light utility aviation battalion (LUAB), and an assigned Air Traffic Services (ATS) battalion. Corps Support Command (COSCOM) provides the AVIM battalion to support the corps aviation brigade.

Aviation Unit Roles - In Depth

An aviation unit, as already covered, can serve in dozens of different roles in a given area of operations. In this section, we’ll cover each of those roles in depth.

• Recon: Reconnaissance operations obtain information by visual observation or electronic detection methods. This information may concern the activities and resources of an actual/potential enemy, or the meteorological, hydrographic, and/or geographic characteristics of a particular area. The division cavalry and air reconnaissance squadrons conduct this mission as part of the aviation brigade or are employed directly by the division commander. The cavalry and air reconnaissance squadrons conduct zone, area, and route reconnaissance as well as force-oriented and reconnaissance-in-force operations. Although not their primary mission, attack battalions also can perform reconnaissance.
• Security: Security forces provide reaction time, maneuver space, and protection for the main body. Operations include screen, guard, cover, and rear area security missions.
• Attack: Attack operations normally are offensive in nature; however, they may be conducted during offensive or defensive operations. Attack battalions operate in the close, deep, and rear environments. Capabilities include anti-armor, antipersonnel, suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD), joint air attack team (JAAT), limited air combat, and the destruction of enemy facilities and materiel. Missions include raids, exploitations, pursuits, deceptions, counterattacks, spoiling attacks, reconnaissance, and security. Attack Operations can cause the enemy to divert combat forces and force the untimely commitment of follow-on forces. Essential elements for attack operations include friendly and enemy situational awareness, an extensive SEAD effort; command, control, communications, and countermeasures (C³CM); and well-planned and supportable CSS.
• Air Assault: Aircraft are vulnerable during movement, insertion, and extraction operations; therefore, they require support from combined arms resources. Attack units normally are integrated into the movement, insertion, extraction, and ground tactical plans to provide security and to weight combat power. Terrain flight techniques mask unit movements, thus enhancing survivability and deception. While air assault operations are tied directly to the ground tactical plan, coordination time normally is short. These operations are enhanced when pathfinders or personnel trained in air assault coordinate landing zone (LZ) and pickup zone (PZ) activities. Comprehensive standing operating procedures (SOPs) and habitual training relationships also make these operations more effective. Assault battalions deliver forces directly into close, deep, and rear combat operations.
• Special Operations: Aviation brigades may be employed in roles critical to the success of SO. They also may operate with, augment, or participate in SO. Aviation brigades may have to provide aviation support to special operation forces (SOF)–conducting unconventional warfare, direct action, special reconnaissance, antiterrorism, and other SO activities.
• Theatre Missile Defense: TMD is a joint mission with four primary pillars: active defense; passive defense; attack operations; and command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C⁴I). The aviation brigade’s primary contribution comes in the area of attack operations. The aviation brigade can execute this mission using either of two methods, depending on the conditions with which it is confronted. If the enemy's precise location is known, the mission can be planned and executed like a standard deliberate attack. The more likely method is search and attack. This method is used when the targets are moving or only an approximate location is known. The aviation brigade uses its available intelligence and the speed of movement of the TMD to establish a search area. When available, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can precede the unit into the area to aid in the search.
• Support By Fire: In the support by fire role, the aviation brigade directs attack battalions into an overwatch position to establish a base of fire. This action allows other maneuver assets to move to, or around, the target area or engaged enemy force. The intent of this action can range from suppression to destruction of the enemy force, but the primary mission is to fix the enemy force so another friendly force can maneuver.
• Psycological Operations (PSYOPS): Psychological operations (PSYOPS) is defined as planned operations to convey selected information and indicators to foreign audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning. Ultimately, PSYOPS influences the behavior of foreign governments, organizations, groups, and individuals. The purpose of PSYOPS is to induce or reinforce foreign attitudes and behavior favorable to the originator's objectives. Military operations have some psychological impact on the enemy. The aviation brigade can fly missions whose intent is purely psychological (i.e. dropping leaflets) or missions whose intent is purely tactical but produces residual psychological effects. An example of this would be an attack batallion that destroys a logistics base 100 km behind the FLOT. The psychological effect on the enemy force in contact could be as devastating as any direct fire engagement.
• Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C³I): Aviation brigades can quickly provide reconnaissance, surveillance, and security of friendly lines of communication. These lines also include future locations. Brigade assets also may have to maintain surveillance of the area or provide security while an area is being established. Brigade assets may deliver messages and documents that cannot be electronically transmitted in a nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) or a jamming environment. Brigade elements have this mission most often when radio listening silence is imposed or equipment has become inoperable. Messages may include combat plans and orders, written coordination and control measures, and graphics. Documents delivered are critical reports essential for sustaining combat operations,
• Air Movement: In air movement operations, aviation brigade assets sustain air and ground maneuver units during close, deep, and rear operations. Air movement operations deliver troops, supplies, and equipment while remaining clear of enemy engagements. Assault and medium-lift units are employed with their aircraft in both internal and external load configurations. Aviation brigade units emplace and reposition critical combat units, equipment, and supplies for current and/or future maneuver operations
• Electronic Warfare: Electronic warfare (EW) has three subelements: electronic attack, electronic protection, and EW support. Electronic attack involves the jamming of his critical command and control assets. All division aviation brigades have organic EW aircraft in their command aviation battalion (CAB), general support aviation battalion (GSAB), or assault battalion capable of executing this mission. Corps and theater aviation brigades would require external assets to execute this mission. EW support involves giving the commander critical electronic intelligence (ELINT). The brigade's EW aircraft intercept enemy transmissions and provide the location of his transmitters. Once the commander knows their location, he can target them for either destruction, jamming, or exploitation. In the protection role, aviation brigade cavalry and reconnaissance units gather intelligence and perform counterintelligence and counter-counterintelligence. They perform these missions by seeing the enemy and destroying his assets that can see our forces. These assets monitor and report enemy activity.
• Aerial Mine Warfare: Aviation brigades conduct aerial mine warfare as a large-scale operation. This operation is part of the overall engineer plan. The entire brigade may be employed with attack or reconnaissance units to secure the operation. At the same time, utility assets rapidly deliver mines, aerially, to a designated area as prescribed in the plan. The Volcano system gives the aviation brigade the capability to emplace large minefields rapidly. This operation may be conducted in the countermobility role to inhibit the enemy's movement either in an offensive operation or a retrograde operation to prevent the enemy from withdrawing. This operation promotes friendly offensive operations, particularly while friendly elements are in pursuit. Aerial mine warfare also may assist in friendly mobility operations. Emplacing mines into blocking positions inhibits the threat from hindering friendly movement.
• Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR): Aviation units normally conduct CSAR operations to recover friendly isolated personnel. These operations may include locating and extracting friendly ground elements that have been cut off or left behind. This mission is not to be confused with medical evacuation (MEDEVAC).
• Air Traffic Services (ATS): ATS integration elements at the division and corps airspace information centers (AICs) use organic communications and navigational systems to update air operations information. The information pertains to friendly, unknown, and hostile aircraft and the overall A²C² situation. ATS elements may provide the main communications link to support Army aviation and ground maneuver unit requirements; for example, to establish and control forward arming and refueling points (FARPs), PZs and LZs–and temporary airdrop or air-land areas–and for joint or multinational forces. ATS units provide a range of tactical support during deep, close, and rear operations. This support may include various services required by Army, service component, and allied aircraft.
• Aerial Sustainment: Sustainment is the movement of equipment, materiel, supplies, and personnel by utility/cargo and fixed-wing assets for operations other than air assault and combat support. Missions include intratheater airlift; administrative relocation of troops and nonmilitary personnel; and administrative relocation of equipment, materiel ,and supplies. Aviation maintenance and logistics operations are critical to sustaining all aviation forces. Inherent are the functions required for the CSS of aviation brigade units as well as other maneuver, CS, and CSS forces.
• Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC): Aviation units–such as assault or medium—lift forces–may have to augment the aeromedical capability during mass casualty situations or when the tactical situation dictates. During these situations, commanders must weigh the risk of transporting casualties by nonmedical resources that cannot provide en route medical care. Often a casualty may have a better chance of survival if left in the care of ground medical personnel until medical transportation assets arrive. Aeromedical evacuation units assigned to the MEDEVAC battalion have the primary mission for medical evacuation. They are employed well forward in the combat zone (CZ) in direct support of a division AO. Personnel may be evacuated from as far forward as the tactical situation permits, normally the maneuver supplies. Aviation maintenance/logistics operations are critical to sustaining all aviation forces.

Aviation Operations

The brigade commander and his staff must fully analyze the factors of METT-T and understand its many areas.

1. Mission. The specified task or mission issued to the aviation brigade must be fully understood. The brigade commander–and his staff–must determine whether the commander’s units can fulfill the mission as prescribed. If not, the commander must convey to higher headquarters what augmentation or support he needs to accomplish the mission.
   
2. Enemy. Commanders must know enemy doctrine, tactics, forces, and objectives; assess enemy capabilities and intentions; exploit enemy weaknesses; and focus intelligence assets. All information available about the enemy should be obtained through a detailed brigade S2 intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB). This information must be continuously updated and thoroughly disseminated. The IPB is one of the most important aspects of planning.
   
3. Terrain. The terrain is as important as the mission and enemy. Many details about the terrain can be obtained through IPB. However, several other factors should also be considered. These include environmental conditions of the aviation brigade's area of operations (AO), the weather, and surface conditions that may affect both friendly and enemy operations.
   
4. Troops. Troops available include those units assigned to the aviation brigade as well as other forces that may be task-organized with the brigade. Aviation brigades can also accept operational control (OPCON) of other aviation forces.
   
5. Time Available. Time is also a critical consideration. Time may include time of execution as well as time for preparation of a particular operation or mission. Ideally, planning at higher headquarters consumes one-third of the time allocated; subordinate units should be allowed two-thirds of the time for their planning and preparation.

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