text: Ground Tactical Plan
  for a specific period. This is one method for deconflicting airspace while allowing both indirect fires and
  attack aviation to attack the same target. The ground commander then can cancel the informal airspace
  coordinationareawhenthesituationpermits.(RefertoFM 3-52formoreinformation.)
  CLOSE AIR SUPPORT
  10-56. Close air support is air action by fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft against hostile targets that are in
  close proximityto friendlyforcesand thatrequire detailed integrationofeachair mission withthe fire and
  movement of those forces. Like close combat attack, close air support can be conducted at any place and
  time friendlyforces are inclose proximityto enemy forces based onavailability. All leaders in the AATF
  should understand how to employ close air support to destroy, disrupt, suppress, fix, harass, neutralize, or
  delay enemy forces. Nomination of close air support targets is the responsibility of the commander, air
  liaisonofficer, and S-3 ateachlevel. The AATF mayreceive close air support fromUSAF, USN, USMC,
  ormultinationalforce.(RefertoJP 3-09.3formoreinformation.)
  CAPABILITIESANDEMPLOYMENT
  10-57. In some cases, USAF aircraft are available to provide close air support. Requests for these aircraft
  are processed through the TACP colocated with the BCT main command post. The TACP is organized as
  an air execution cell capable of requesting and executing Type 2 or 3 terminal attack control of close air
  support missions. The manning of the cell depends on the situation but, at a minimum, includes an air
  liaison officer and a JTAC. To make a recommendation to the commander regarding the use of close air
  support aircraft, the leader on the ground should be familiar with the characteristics of the aircraft
  predominantlyusedinthecloseairsupportrole.(RefertoATP 3-09.32formoreinformation.)
  BRIEFINGFORMAT
  10-58. Twotypesofcloseairsupport requestsarelistedasfollows:
  (cid:122) Preplannedrequeststhat maybefilled with eitherscheduledoron-callair missions.Those close
  air support requirements foreseen early enough to be included in the first air tasking order
  distributionaresubmittedas preplannedair support requestsfor close airsupport.Onlythoseair
  supportrequestssubmittedinsufficienttimetobeincludedinthejointairtaskingcycleplanning
  phasesandsupportedontheairtaskingorderareconsideredpreplannedrequests.
  (cid:122) Immediate requests that mostly are filled by diverting preplanned missions or with on-call
  missions. Immediate requests arise from situations that develop outside the air tasking order
  planningcycle.
  10-59. The air liaison officer and JTAC personnel in the TACP are the primary means for requesting and
  controlling close air support. However, forces may have joint fires observer certified personnel who can
  request, adjust, and control surface-to-surface fires, provide targeting information in support of Type 2
  and 3 close air support terminal attack controls, and perform autonomous terminal guidance operations.
  (RefertoATP 3-09.32formoreinformation.)
  UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
  10-60. Unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations provide surveillance capabilities to enhance the
  AATFC’s situational awareness as he plans, coordinates, and executes the air assault. The commander can
  employ UAS from his organic elements or he can request to have direct access to real-time feeds from
  additional UAS support from his higher headquarters. They are particularly effective when employed
  together withground and attackreconnaissance elementsas a teamduring shapingoperationsin whichthe
  commanderis trying to create theconditionsforsuccessfulairassault execution.(Referto chapter 4 ofthis
  publicationforUASdiscussion.)