text: Chapter 10
  10-49. For mutual protection and clarity on the appropriate target, the ground maneuver force does not
  mark the targetuntilrequestedbytheaviationelement.Thisinno wayrestricts the groundmaneuver force
  fromreturningfirefromthe enemy. However,thegroundmaneuver force should considerthattheaircrews
  may not be able to distinguish the correct target fromother fires if they mark the target with fire. Ground
  maneuver forcesshould have multiple meansof markingtheir positions. Ifthe targetis marked by fire, the
  aviation element requests the ground maneuver force to stop marking. The aviation element calls when
  clearoftheareaandreportsestimatedbattledamageassessment.
  10-50. The close combat attack cannot be conducted without positive identification of friendlyand enemy
  forces byboth the ground and aviation commander before attack aviation aircraft opens fire. The aviation
  element tailors its attackangles and weaponselections baseduponthe target and friendly unitproximityto
  thetarget.
  TARGETHANDOVER
  10-51. The rapid and accurate marking of a target is essential to a positive target handover. Aircraft
  conductingclose combatattacks normallyrelyon a highrate ofspeed and lowaltitude for survivabilityin
  the targetarea. Assuch, the aircrewgenerallyhasanextremelylimited amountof time to acquireboththe
  friendlyand enemy marks. It is essentialthatthe ground maneuver force hasthe marking ready and turned
  onwhenrequestedbytheaircrew.
  10-52. Attack reconnaissance aircrews use both thermal sights and NVGs to fly with and acquire targets.
  Afterinitiallyengagingthe target, the aircrew generallyapproachesfroma differentangle forsurvivability
  reasons if another attack is required. The observer makes adjustments using the eight cardinal directions
  and distance (meters) in relation to the last round’s impact and the actual target. At the conclusion of the
  close combat attack, the aircrew provides its best estimate of battle damage assessment to the unit in
  contact.
  BATTLEDAMAGEASSESSMENTANDREATTACK
  10-53. After the attackaircraftcomplete the requested close combat attack mission, the aircrewprovides a
  battledamageassessment tothe groundcommander.Basedonhisintent, theground maneuvercommander
  determinesif another attackis required toachieve hisdesiredend state.The closecombat attack operation
  can continue until the aircraft have expended all available munitions or fuel. However, if the air mission
  commander receives a request for another attack, he must carefully evaluate his ability to extend the
  operation.If notable,hecallsforrelief onstation byanotherattack teamifavailable.Itisunlikelythatthe
  originalteamhasenoughtimetorefuel,rearm,andreturntostation.
  CLEARANCEOFFIRES
  10-54. During an air assault with numerous aircraft in the vicinity of the landing zone, it is critical that
  proceduresareinplacetodeconflictairspacebetweenaircraft andindirectfires,considerationsinclude(cid:650)
  (cid:122) Ensure aircrews have the current and planned indirect fire positions (to include mortars)
  supportingtheairassaultbeforethemission.
  (cid:122) Plan for informal airspace coordination areas and check firing procedures and communications
  to ensure artillery and mortars firing from within the landing zone do not endanger subsequent
  serialslandingordeparting,closecombatattack,orcloseairsupport.
  (cid:122) Ensure at least one of the aviation team members monitors the fire support net for
  situationalawareness.
  (cid:122) Advisetheaviationelementifthelocationofindirectfireunitschangesfromthatplanned.
  (cid:122) Ensure all participating units are briefed daily on current airspace control order or air tasking
  orderchangesandupdatesthatmayaffectairmissionplanningandexecution.
  (cid:122) Ensureallunitsupdate firingunitlocations,firingpoint origins,and finalprotective firelinesas
  theychangeforinclusionincurrentairspacecontrolorder.
  10-55. The AATFC or ground commander can establish an informal airspace coordination area. For
  example,hecandesignatethatallindirectfiresbesouthofandallaviationstaynorthof a specified gridline