Danza comments: ‘We control anything
that is above ground level, because
when our aircraft are there — we own
that airspace. When the CAS aircraft
checks in everyone else shuts up, so it’s
me and maybe the ground commander
talking to these guys, making the
e ects happen.’
In terms of standards and tactics,
JTACs rely on the J-Fire (o cially this
is the multi-service procedures for the
joint application of repower). This
publication speci es JTAC doctrine,
command and control organizations,
facilities, personnel, responsibilities, and
procedures. Michalowski calls it, ‘a quick
pocket guide for JTACs.’
‘It also contains the nine-line brief,’
explains Donohoe. ‘This is the most
important thing we do. It’s a set
procedure.’ The nine-line is the CAS
brie ng format for passing crucial target
information to the attacking aircraft after
it has checked in and authentication data
has been exchanged. It includes: 1: The initial point (IP), which can be a
set waypoint or co-ordinates
provided by the JTAC or overhead
the target.
2: Heading from the IP to the target,
often with a left or right o set to avoid
known hazards.
3: Distance from IP to target in
nautical miles.
4: Target elevation, in feet above mean
sea level.
5: Target description using plain,
concise language.
6: Target location, east and north
co-ordinates in the military grid
reference system.
7: Target marking — talk-on, smoke, laser,
or infra-red.8: Friendly location — distance in meters
and cardinal direction.
9: Egress direction and destination.
According to Danza, there is one true
nine-line. ‘It is procedure. How you get that
information can vary. Your technique may
vary. You may give it in a di erent order —
that’s cool, as long as you give the pilot all
nine-lines. If you need to deviate, you can.’
He says it’s not unusual for a JTAC in close
contact with the enemy to emphasize
that point.
Danza states that while o cers are
closely linked to the mission, they tend
to be advising in the TOC. It’s the enlisted
JTACs who go outside the wire. ‘They are
downtown doing their mission with my
guidance. I am at the TOC and back-Above:
USAF JTACs work
with all of the air
assets in a CAS
operation, as
illustrated here
by two US Marine
Corps F/A-18Ds
tipping in on a
target.
Jamie Hunter
Left:
MSgt Patrick
Donohoe of the
227th ASOS.
Dr Richard PorcelliUNIT REPORT // 227 TH ASOS
40 February 2018 //^ http://www.combataircraft.net
36-41 227 ASOS C.indd 40 14/12/2017 11:29