One of the major keys to a successful operation is planning and preparation. This course will teach you some fundamentals of mission planning which you will be able to apply in your role as LCDR and a qualified division lead within the VFA-45 Spartans. A good understanding of the mission planning process will make you better prepared to develop flight plans, flight briefs and debriefs, and for leading flights in combat operations.
| Term |
Definition |
| RFI |
Request for Information |
| RFF |
Request for Force/Fires |
| ISR |
Intelligence/Surveillance/Reconnaissance |
| AOR |
Area of Responsibility |
| ROC |
Rehearsal/Review of Concepts |
- In planning, we work a “Target Back” scheme. This means you start with defining the objective of the overall mission, and work backward from the objective to determine what is needed, where it is needed, when it is needed, and how it is handled, in order to win.
- Typically, you will receive an Air Tasking Order (ATO) the day of or day prior to the weekly mission. If you are a LCDR, you can expect to potentially be a flight lead. As such, you should take the time initially to read over the ATO and understand it thoroughly, and ask pertinent questions of the mission maker if required.
- During and immediately after the intel drop, ASK QUESTIONS! Let the mission maker decide what information they want to give and keep, rather than possibly forgetting to tell you something.
- If you think you need additional capabilities as BLUFOR, ask for it!
- Know exactly what your objective is, and know exactly what constitutes success at achieving that objective.
- A general rule of thumb is to half twice the minimum ordnance you think you need. That is in numbers, not size. For example, if your minimum kill requirement is 4 GBU-12s, then bring 8.
- The “How Goes It” is a quick progress check meeting. This is our first opportunity after we assigned tasks to have everyone come back together and see how the current plan is doing. You can schedule these to occur whenever you want.
- With whatever time you have left in the mission planning session, try to come up with one or two important “what if” scenarios. What if a package is wiped out? What if the primary strike leader is shot down?
- Sit down with everyone and just walk through the mission chronologically. Talk through what is supposed to happen at what time. Practice contracts and comms. Talk through a contingency plan or two. Go from the beginning all the way to the end.