text: Army Aviation Operations
  * Attack operations. OCA attack operations include offensive action by any part of the joint force
  in support of the OCA mission against targets which contribute to the enemy’s air and missile
  capabilities.
  * SEAD. Activity that neutralizes, destroys, or degrades surface-based enemy air defense systems
  by destructive and/or disruptive means.
  * Fighter escort. Fighter escort provides dedicated protection sorties by air-to-air capable fighters
  in support of other operations.
  * Fighter sweep. Fighter sweep is an offensive mission by fighter aircraft to seek out and destroy
  enemy aircraft or targets of opportunity in a designated area.
  3-209. DCA is all defensive measures within the theater designed to neutralize or destroy enemy forces
  attempting to penetrate or attack through friendly airspace. DCA encompasses direct (active and passive)
  defensive actions taken to destroy, nullify, or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air and missile threats
  against friendly forces and assets. The goal of DCA operations, in concert with OCA operations, is to
  provide an area from which forces can operate while protected from air and missile threats. DCA
  operations must be integrated and synchronized with OCA operations and all other joint force operations.
  The area air defense commander, if established by the JFC, is responsible for DCA planning and
  operations.
  PRE-MISSION PLANNING
  3-210. Critical to any operation is prior planning; this is no different when considering operations in
  contested airspace. Pre-mission planning considerations include—
  * Commanders ensure their crews plan for aerial threats regardless of their assigned missions.
  * Providing security for aircraft conducting deep operations.
  * Attacking targets from maximum standoff ranges whenever possible.
  * Incorporating terrain and weather into planned maneuver.
  OPERATIONS
  3-211. Several air combat maneuvering concepts have proven to be successful in the air combat
  environment. Although these principles originated from FW experiences, they have specific application to
  helicopter operations as well.
  3-212. Seeing the enemy first is the key to survival in an air combat environment. In addition to visual
  observation, any tool available should be used to "see" the threat. Some of these tools might include the
  airborne warning and control system or the forward area air defense system, UAS, or AH-64D/E Longbow
  radar.
  LOOKOUT AND OBSERVATION
  3-213. During the conduct of operations, aircrews must be vigilant in their lookout for enemy aerial
  threats. A successful engagement depends on effective lookout procedures. The timely receipt of an attack
  warning and prompt, accurate communication of the attack to other aircrew members is critical. Friendly
  forces must be able to recognize the threat based on more than the physical characteristics of their aircraft.
  They must be familiar with threat tactics and be able to recognize the threat's intent quickly. The mission
  briefing should address the required actions if friendly aircraft see the threat first. The mission may require
  friendly forces to bypass the threat or engage it immediately. If the threat is bypassed, friendly forces
  should forward essential elements of information to the next higher headquarters.
  3-214. Individual aircrew members should maintain specific lookout sectors from the cockpits of their
  aircraft. Each aircraft in the formation should also maintain lookout sectors that the commander assigns. As
  much as aircraft cockpit design permits, the sectors of observation should equal 360 degrees around the
  aircraft and formation.