MHI Copy 3 0 ElfTMENTP THE ARMY FIELD MANUAL t'T ITHE ARMORED .i[ANTRY COMPANY are!'AN BATTALION REFERENCE USE ONLY NOT TO BE TAKEN FROM/LIBRARY DEP/RTMENT OF THE ARMY> * MARCH 1951 f . a -- _ FM 7-17 C1 FIELD MANUAL THE ARMORED INFANTRY COMPANY AND BATTALION CIIANGES DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY No. 1 f WASHINmGTON 25, D. C., 12 September1952 FM 7-17, 23 March 1951, is changed as follows: 285.1 FORWARD AIR CONTROLLER (Added) a. A tactical air control party (TACP) consisting of a forward air controller (FAC), who normally is a combat experienced fighter pilot, his enlisted assist- ants and equipment, may operate with an armored infantry battalion. The primary mission of the TACP is to direct close air support strikes in the vicinity. of forward ground elements by visual methods. It is a highly mobile element having air- to-ground communication to vector aircraft to tar- gets, and point-to-point communications with the tactical air control center (TACC) or tactical air direction centers (TADC) and with the division air liaison officer (ALO). At times the forward air con-. troller may be airborne to facilitate control and direc- tion of air strikes. Under these conditions the con- troller is referred to as a tactical air coordinator (TAC). At other times the forward air controller may ride in a tank equipped with the necessary ground-to-air communication. A tank is provided in the T/O & E of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Combat Command for this purpose. b. Functions of TACP(s)- (1) To direct close offensive air support air- craft to targets in the vicinity of friendly AGO 848C-Sept. 2004 1 UICk SSItFtI positions and to direct visual reconnaissance of specified areas. (2) To receive information from reconnaissance or other aircraft for transmission to the bat- talion commander, the division ALO, and the appropriate TADC. (3) To report observed results of air strikes to the battalion commander, the division ALO, and the appropriate TADC. (4) To advise the battalion commander and his staff on matters pertaining to tactical air operations. (5) To assist in identifying the location of friendly front line units. 322. CLOSE AIR SUPPORT DURING THE ATTACK (Superseded) a. Close air support may be available to the armored infantry battalion commander for the exe- cution of either preplanned or immediate missions. Frequently air or ground alert aircraft are made available to the division or combat command in order that immediate missions may be accomplished with the minimum delay. Air strikes are controlled by 'the tactical air control party. The forward air con- troller remains with the command group until a target is designated; he then moves to a vantage point where he can direct the air strike on the desig- nated target. Close liaison is maintained between the forward air controller and artillery liaison officer to insure prompt exchange of information gained from both ground and air observation and to assist in marking of targets. Fighter planes normally support the attack by bombs, rockets, incendiary missiles, and by strafing. 2 AGO 848C b. Typical Targets To Be Selected. (1) Gun positions. (2) Vehicles, including armor. (3) Command posts. (4) Concentration of troops. (5) Strongly defended positions. (6) Pill boxes. (7) Defended road blocks. (8) Other targets artillery may not be able to engage effectively. 322.1 AIR REQUESTS (Added) a. Requests for close air support will include the following minimum information: (1) Location of target indicated by grid refer- ence or other means. (2) Description of target including sufficient detail to permit selection of appropriate armament. (3) Results desired; for example, destruction or neutralization. (4) Location of nearest friendly troops with re- spect to the target at the time of attack. (5) Attack time limits, to include time of attack. and latest time attack can be made and still accomplish desired results. (6) Tactical significance. (7) Special control information including target and front-line marking and forward air controller in position to control attack- ing aircraft. (8) Other pertinent information to be supplied by appropriate FSCC's, such as ordinates of ground fires in the area and restrictive fire plans. AGO 848C 3 6. Requests for reconnaissance air support will in- clude the following minimum information: (1) Area, routes ortargets to be covered. (2) Time the coverage is to be effected. (3) Type reconnaissance desired (visual or photo). (4) Significance of desired information. (Jus- tification for the request.) (5) Specific information desired. (6) Forward air controller in position to con- trol aircraft, if necessary. (7) In addition for photo reconnaissance- (a) Type photograph desired (vertical, oblique, mosaic, etc.). (b) Scale desired. (c) Distribution desired. (d) Number of prints desired. c. Normally, requests for air support originating at the battalion will be given a priority and transmitted to combat command. When the division has estab- lished, based on traffic load, a separate air request net, immediate requests may be transmitted from bat- talion direct to division. 322.2 TARGET IDENTIFICATION (Added) a. Close air support targets located between the bomb line and friendly troops must be properly iden- tified to the striking aircraft prior to attack. The forward air controller normally accomplishes the tar- get identification and control for these strikes. He must coordinate with, advise, and receive assistance from ground elements when required. He should 4 AGO 848C work closely with the artillery liaison officer. A for- ward air controller may identify a target for aircraft through any one or a combination of the methods indicated in (1) through (10) below- (1) Reference to grids or coordinates on large scale maps or photographic mosaics. (2) Reference to nearby landmarks or terrain features readily discernible to the pilot. (3) Use of colored panels to establish refer- ence points for navigational aid. (4) Mark targets with smoke shells from artil- lery, mortars, grenades, recoilless rifles, etc.; colored smoke is preferable. (5). Use of searchlights or illuminating shells; i. e., artillery, mortar, naval, etc., to illumi- nate specified target areas at night or as reference points. (6) Verbal description of the target by the for- ward air controller to the aircraft. (7) Adjustment of simulated air attacks for pilot orientation. (8) Radio communication from friendly unit to Army light aircraft, who can in turn lead attacking aircraft to the target. (9) Use of electronic equipment (radio homing devices, beacons, etc.). (10) Use of any one or a combination of the above methods to orient a tactical air co- ordinator who, in turn, leads attacking air- craft to the target. b. It is normal for the battalion to establish a standing operating procedure on employment of close air support based on the standing operating pro- cedure or policies of the next higher headquarters. AGO 848C0S 322.3 MARKING FORWARD TROOP LOCATIONS (Added) a. Close air support strikes require a simple, yet exacting, system of marking of forward troop loca- tions at the time of the air attack. Forward troop locations may be marked or identified for aircraft through any one or a combination of the methods indicated in (1) through (6) below. (1) Reference to grids or coordinates on large scale maps or photographic mosaics. (2) Reference to nearby landmarks or terrain feature readily descernible to the pilot. (3) Displaying colored panels to portray loca- tions of forward troops with relation to target. (4) Establishment of reference points with colored panels or smoke shells. Colored smoke is preferable. (5) Verbal description of forward troop loca- tions or reference points by the forward air controller to the aircraft. (6) Use of electronic equipment (radio homing devices, beacons, etc.). b. It is normal for the battalion to establish a standing operating procedure on marking of forward' troop locations based on the standing operating pro- cedure or policies of the next higher headquarters. 376.1 CLOSE AIR SUPPORT (Added) Normally a tactical air control party (TACP) operates with each armored infantry battalion com- mander. The forward air controller (FAC) who commands this party acts as an advisor to the bat- a AGO 848C talion commander on air support matters. On large scale defensive operations, the availability of close air support aircraft is frequently greatly reduced since the number of such aircraft required for air superiority and interdiction tasks is greatly in- creased. [AG 322 (12 Aug 52)] BY ORDER OF TlE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY: OFFlCIAL: J. LAWTON COLLINS WM . E. ERGIN Chief of Staff, Major General, USA United States Arlmy The Adjutant General DISTRInUTION: Active Armny: Tech Svc (1); Tech Sve Bd (2); AFF (40) AA Conmd (2); OS Maj Comd (5); Base Comad (5); MDW (5) ; Log Comd (5); A (20); CHQ (5); Div (5); Brig (2); Regt 7, 17 (5); Bn 7, 17 (5); FT (2); USMA (10) ; Sch (5) ;PMS & T 7, 17 (2); Mil Dist (3); Mil Mis (1); Arma (1); T/O & E's: 7-l7N (3); 7-15N (2); 7-26N (5); 7-27N (5); 17-20N (3); 17-27N (3). yG: Same as Active Army. ORC: Same as Active Army. For explanation of distribution formula, see SR 310-90-1. AGO 848C 7 U. 5. GOtERNMRNTPR[NT:NS OFrIce S, WARNING NOTICES Authority for release of this document to a foreign government must be secured from the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, Department of the Army. When this document is released to a foreign govern- ment, it is released subject to the faollowing conditions: This information is furnished with the understanding that it will not be released to another nation without specific approval of the United States of America, De- partment of the Army; that it will not be used for other than military purposes; that individual or corporation rights originating in the information whether patented or not will be respected; and that the information will be afforded substantially the same degree of security as afforded by the United States of America, Department of the Army.