text: Chapter 12
  (cid:122) Nap-of-the-earth flight is conducted at varying airspeeds as close to the earth’s surface as
  vegetation and obstacles permit. A weaving flight path remains oriented along the general axis
  of movement and takes advantage of terrain masking. This is a general flight mode and may
  likelybeincloseproximitytotheenemy.
  (cid:122) Contour flight is conducted at low altitudes, conforming to the earth’s contours. Relatively
  constantairspeedsandvaryingaltitudesasdictatedbyterrainandobstaclescharacterizeit.
  (cid:122) Low-level flight isconducted at constant altitudes and airspeed dictated bythreat avoidance. Its
  intent is to facilitate speed and ease of movement while minimizing detection. This mode of
  flight is used when there is a lowthreat level. Fires along the air route are planned to suppress
  knownorsuspectedenemypositions.Thesefiresshouldbeintense andofshortduration. Utilize
  multiple target engagement methods as needed. On-call fires are planned along the air route to
  ensurerapidtargetengagementifnecessary.
  FIRES
  12-14. Fire plans cover the pickup zones, air routes, and landing zones. Fire support plans include
  suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) systems and obscuration to protect formations from enemy
  detection. Thisrequiresaggressive fire planning and direct coordination with field artilleryand mortar fire
  directioncentersandotherfiresupportelements.
  12-15. All available fire support is used to suppress or destroy enemy weapons, to include close air
  support, artillery, and attack reconnaissance helicopters. Support may comprise concealment or other
  countermeasuresfor suppressingor confusingenemy air defense systems.During nightoperations, the use
  ofilluminationfirerequiresdetailedplanning.IlluminationcaninterferewithNVGscausingunsafeconditions.
  SUPPRESSION OF ENEMY AIR DEFENSES
  12-16. In executing air movement, the air mission commander integrates air routes based on pickup zone
  and landing zone locations, avoiding known or suspected enemy air defense positions. The AATF is
  responsible for planning, synchronizing, and executing lethal suppressive fires and nonlethal suppressive
  effectsonknownorsuspectedenemyairdefensepositionsthatareunavoidable.Lethalandnonlethalassets
  availabletoconductSEADmissionsinclude(cid:650)
  (cid:122) Mortarsandartillery(cannon,rocketandmissile).
  (cid:122) Fixed-wingassets,toincludeunmannedaircraftsystems.
  (cid:122) Navalgunfire.
  (cid:122) Attackreconnaissancehelicopters.
  (cid:122) Radarsuppressionandjamming(lethalandnonlethal).
  (cid:122) Communicationssuppressionandjamming(lethalandnonlethal).
  JOINTSEAD
  12-17. The termJoint SEAD encompasses all SEADactivities provided bycomponents of a joint force in
  support of one another. When operating as a component of a joint force, different assets and unique
  planningrequirements mayexist. (Refer to JP 3-01 for more information.) Joint SEAD includes all SEAD
  categoriesandadditionalclassificationstoinclude(cid:650)
  (cid:122) Operational area system suppression comprises operations within an operational area against
  specific enemy air defense systems to degrade or destroy their effectiveness. It targets high
  payoffairdefensesystemswhosedegradationmostaffectstheenemy’stotalsystem.
  (cid:122) Opportune suppression is a continuous operation involving immediate attack of air defense
  targets of opportunity. It is normally unplanned suppression, includes aircrew self-defense, and
  attacksagainsttargetsofopportunity.
  (cid:122) Localized suppression can occur throughout the area of responsibility or joint operations area
  and can be conducted by all components. However, it is limited in time and to geographical
  areasassociatedwithspecificgroundtargets.
  (cid:122) Corridor suppression is planned joint SEAD focused on creating an air defense artillery
  suppressedcorridortomaneuveraircraft.Missionsthatnormally requirethis suppressionareair