text: Ground Tactical Plan
  publication for more information.) The most important factor of successful close combat attack is positive
  and directcommunication betweenaviationand ground forces. Asstated earlier, close combat attack does
  not requirea joint terminalattackcontroller (JTAC)unlike closeair supportmissions.However, utilizing a
  jointfiresobservercanminimizethe riskoffratricide and expeditetheclearance offiresprocedures. (Refer
  toFM3-04.126andATP3-09.32formoreinformation.)
  4-48. Any element in contact uses the CCA 5-Line attack brief to initiate the close combat attack. The
  CCA 5-Line attack brief allows the ground maneuver forces to communicate and reconfirmto the aircraft
  the exact location of friendly and enemy forces. The ground commander owning the terrain clears fires
  during the close combat attack by giving aircrews the situational awareness of the location of friendly
  elements.The ground commander deconflictsthe airspace betweenindirectfires, close air support, and the
  closecombatattackaircraft.
  4-49. Afterreceivingtherequestfor closecombatattack,theaircrewinforms the groundunitleaderof the
  battle position, attack or, support by fire position (or series of positions) the team is occupying, and the
  location from which the attack aircraft engages the enemy with direct fire. The size of this position varies
  depending on the number of aircraft using the position, the size of the engagement area, and the type of
  terrain. The position must be close enough to the requesting unit to facilitate efficient target handover.
  Aircraft leaders normally offset the position from the flank of the friendly ground position. This helps to
  ensure that rotor wash, ammunition-casing expenditure, and the general signature of the aircraft do not
  interfere withoperations on the ground. The offset position allows the aircraft to engage the enemy on his
  flanksratherthanitsfront.Itreducestheriskoffratricidealongthehelicoptergun-targetline.
  TARGETHANDOVER
  4-50. The rapid and accurate marking of a target is essential to a positive target handover. Aircraft
  conductingclosecombatattacksdevelop anattackplanthat isMETT-TC dependentand meetsthe ground
  commander’s task and purpose. The aircrewgenerally has an extremelylimited amount of time to acquire
  boththe friendly and enemylocations. Itisessentialthatthe ground unit hasthe marking readyand turned
  on when requested bythe aircrew. Attack reconnaissance aircrews use both thermal sight and night vision
  goggles (NVGs) to fly with and acquire targets. After initially engaging the target, the aircrew generally
  approaches from a different angle for survivability 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
  estimateofbattledamageassessmenttotheunitincontact.
  BATTLEDAMAGEASSESSMENTANDREATTACK
  4-51. After the attack aircraft complete the requested close combat attack mission, the aircrewprovides a
  battledamageassessment tothe groundcommander.Basedonhisintent, theground maneuvercommander
  determinesif another attackis required toachieve hisdesired end state.The close combat attackoperation
  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,hecalls forrelief onstation byanotherattack teamifavailable.It isunlikely thatthe
  originalteamhasenoughtimetorefuel,rearm,andreturntostation.
  CLEARANCEOFFIRES
  4-52. During an airborne assault with numerous aircraft in the vicinity of the drop zone, it is critical to
  deconflict airspace between aircraft and established indirect fires once air-land or follow-on forces arrive,
  toincludethefollowing:
  (cid:122) Ensure aircrews have the current and planned indirect fire positions (to include mortars)
  supportingthegroundtacticalplan.
  (cid:122) Plan for informal airspace coordination areas and check firing procedures and communications
  to ensure artillery and mortars firing from within the drop zone do not endanger subsequent
  serialslandingordeparting,closecombatattack,orcloseairsupport.