text: _________________________________________________________________________________Chapter 9
  ENGAGEMENT PROCEDURES
  9-138. On a priority basis, the OPFOR engages aircraft posing the greatest
  threat. The preferred technique is to fire at an already engaged target rather
  than switching from target to target. This priority continues unless a later-
  acquired target seriously threatens air defense units.
  9-139. The OPFOR prefers to engage a hostile aircraft prematurely and
  waste some ammunition rather than allowing the aircraft to expend its ord-
  nance. The OPFOR fires on aircraft as long as they remain within range.
  9-140. Air observers and weapon crews outside the attacked area maintain
  observation and readiness to fire. This precludes enemy success through
  simultaneous air attacks from several directions.
  OFFENSE
  9-141. Operations from the air have ceased to be auxiliary and have become
  a critical component of combined arms combat. Thus, air defense is a
  vital part of the combined arms operation. The OPFOR can successfully
  execute operational offensive actions only if it can negate enemy air
  power. Conversely, failure to provide effective air defense against enemy air
  power can result in operational and tactical failures. Therefore, the OPFOR
  has an extensive air defense system to protect attacking maneuver units. Air
  defense weapons can fully support dynamic offensive combat.
  DEPLOYMENT
  9-142. In an offense, the exact location of air defense weapons depends on the
  following factors:
  • The assessment of the air threat.
  • The mission of the supported unit.
  • The commander’s chosen organization of forces.
  • The tempo of operations.
  • The terrain.
  • Fields of fire and observation.
  9-143. The shape of the air defense deployment can change as supported
  units maneuver. The most common methods follow:
  • Where the air threat is low, the commander assigns the complete air
  defense unit lines of deployment to occupy in succession.
  • When the air threat is continuous, air defense units may move forward
  in bounds into successive firing positions, maintaining continuous
  coverage of supported units.
  • In a highly mobile, fragmented operation, the OPFOR might integrate
  air defense into combat formations and occupy temporary firing positions
  on less likely approaches or in gaps between the coverage of the main
  air defenses.
  SAM units at the operational and tactical levels deploy where they can provide
  area coverage for as much as possible of the supported maneuver unit’s AOR.