text: Chapter 5
  (cid:122) Fire support area. The fire support area is a sea area within which a ship can position or cruise
  while firing in support. It is labeled with the letters “FSA” followed by a Roman numeral–for
  example,FSAVII.
  (cid:122) Firesupportstation.Thefire supportstationis a specifiedpositionatsea fromwhich a shipmust
  fire; it is restrictive positioning guidance. It is labeled with the letters “FSS” and followed by a
  Romannumeral(cid:650)forexample,FSSVII.
  AIR OPERATIONS
  5-68. Air operations normallyare conducted usingcentralized control and decentralized execution and are
  integral to an airborne operation. They are performed concurrently and are mutually supporting and are
  planned with ample communications for liaison and control. The following paragraphs discuss counterair
  operations, close air support, air interdiction, airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, airlift
  missions,specializedtasks,andairoperationsplanninginsupportofairborneoperations.
  COUNTERAIROPERATIONS
  5-69. The ultimate objective of counterair operations is to gain and maintain theater air supremacy. This
  has two purposes. It prevents enemy forces from effectively interfering with friendly areas and activities,
  and it precludes prohibitive interference with offensive air operations in the enemy area. This is
  accomplished by destroying or neutralizing the enemy’s air offensive and defensive systems. (Refer to
  JP 3-01formoreinformation.)
  OffensiveCounterairOperations
  5-70. Offensive counterair operationsare conducted to seekoutand neutralizeor destroyenemyair forces
  at a chosentime and place.Theyareessentialtogainair supremacyandto provide a favorable situationfor
  othermissions.Typicaltargetsinclude(cid:650)
  (cid:122) Enemyaircraft.
  (cid:122) Airfields.
  (cid:122) Tacticalmissilecomplexes.
  (cid:122) Commandandcontrolfacilities.
  (cid:122) Petroleum,oilandlubricantsandmunitionsstoragefacilities.
  (cid:122) Aircraftsupportequipmentandtheircontrolsystems.
  SuppressionofEnemyAirDefense
  5-71. Suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) is conducted to neutralize, destroy, or temporarily
  degrade enemy air defense systems in a specific area by physical attack, electronic warfare, or both.
  Airborne electronic warfare assets (See ATP 3-36.) often are used inconjunction with other air operations
  or mission and are especially important to SEAD operations throughout the airborne operation. (Refer
  toATP 3-01.4 formore information.)
  DefensiveCounterairOperations
  5-72. Defensive counterair operations contribute to local air control by countering enemy offensive
  actions. By countering enemy offensive actions, theater forces can effectively use an in-place and
  operational radar warning and control system, consisting of both ground and airborne elements. They
  integrateandcontroltheemploymentoffightersandairdefenseartillery.
  5-73. Counterairtasksthatareemployedas a partofoffensiveanddefensive counterair operationsinclude
  air-to-surface attacks, fighter sweeps, and the protection warfighting function (escort). Field artillery may
  conduct counterair missions by striking enemy aircraft bases, helicopter forward arming and refuel points,
  andmissilestorageandlaunchsites.