Platoon TACPs

Standard Operating Procedures

Karmakut Liberation

Last date update: 7/31/2023

SECTION 1: Purpose of TACPs

1. Designated under callsign 1-8.

• TACPs are in charge of airspace, terminal control, artillery fire missions, and intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance. 
• TACPs work as a four-person team (x-8, x-8 Alpha, x-8 Bravo, x-8 Charlie) in direct support of PL and subordinate squads.

SECTION 2: Operations

• Platoon TACPs must monitor Long Range 080.000 and Short Range 160.000 at all times.
  • Other elements may use TAD net 080.000 to contact TACP to relay information or give intel for fire mission.
• Additional Short Range internal frequency for TACP if needed 180.000.
• TACPs will coordinate call for fire missions on Net 081.000.
• TACPs are not a direct combat unit and must prioritize asset control over combat involvement.
• X-8s have the capability of forward observing (JFO), air traffic control, and close air support (JTAC).
•  Close air support (CAS) duties include:
  • Designating battle positions and reference points
  • Assigning aircraft to engagement zones
  • Maintaining and communicating status of airspace
  • Providing grid reference and laser designation to deploy munitions.
• While x-8s maintains tactical control over the airspace in the AO, it is still the responsibility of pilots to ensure the safety of their airframe.
• X-8s must be familiar with all rules of engagement for Air and Artillery assets, and Platoon Phantom units they interact with.

SECTION 3: Platoon TACPs- Controlling Support Elements

• Internal Control:
  • Platoon x-8s follow priority missions designated by Assassin 6-6 and Assassin 1-6.
  • Assassin 6-6 and Assassin 1-6 may override priority and ROE. (Assassin 6-6 overrules all)
  • X-8s and all Support Elements must monitor TAD net 080.000. Assets will then be tasked to TAD net 081.000, for the duration of that mission.
• Air Traffic Control:
  • X-8s are responsible for evaluating possible safe landing zones (LZ) in response to environment and hostile threat concerns and provide LZ briefs for inbound rotary assets.
  • LZ briefs should include:
    • Ingress/egress direction
    • Obstructions/terrain  
    • Direction of threats (if any) and distance
  • X-8s will monitor the status of Air units to ensure the safety of the assets, promoting communication and awareness of hostile threats.
  • All aircraft must remain within the map boundaries. Further guidance can be found here. 
• X-8s will task CAS assets considering the following guidelines:
  • CAS assets may be assigned various battle positions to operate from as reference points:
    • Hold Point (HP) - A safe location outside of engagement range for all CAS assets to loiter at prior to target assignment.
    • Battle Point (BP) - A location for standoff assets to engage from distance within weapons range.
    • Ingress Point (IP) - A designated entry point for a linear gun or rocket attack runs for strike assets.
  • While we do not enforce the use of full 9 Line reports, calls for CAS must include the following information at a minimum:
    • Location of target (Grid reference, map markers)
    • Target type (be as specific as possible)
    • Munitions type
    • Distances to nearest friendlies or civilian targets
    • Readback for Confirmation
  • Lasers/Sparkles:
    • Secondary aircraft lasing ("buddy laze") must be coordinated through the x-8.
      • Laser code change request must be conducted by the TACP in order to ensure a successful "spot lase" within the terminal cycle.
      • TACPs must ensure a proper laser environment for terminal aircraft and can deny "buddy lasing" if it compromises aircraft. 
• X-8s will task artillery support and must provide at a minimum:
  •  Target location
  • Target description
  • Munition 
  • Type of fire and control 
• TACP operating as FAC-A:
  • Can perform TACP duties in an aircraft.
    • Can only be done with a Chevy pilot and a Chevy asset.
      • Chevy has to utilize the 0-2A Skymaster.
    • Only 1 TACP can be acting as a FAC-A at a time.

SECTION 4: Platoon TACPs

Disclaimer:

• Demon can transport infantry but must be tasked by x-8.
  • Transport only
• Platoon TACP roles are permission-based and must be applied for.
• Platoon TACP are not administrators and must follow the Server Rules and Standard Operating Procedures, failure to do so may result in loss of perms and/or further administrative actions.
• 2 strikes equals a loss of Platoon Leadership Elements permissions. {you may later reapply again for reinstating of permissions at the review of Community Staff}
• Admin Team may remove your permissions at any time if they feel you are not performing well enough as a leader.
• Platoon TACP roles bridge together several important elements of the Company. If you do not feel capable in the roles, seek out guidance from other permission holders in the Server and Discord, and utilize the Training Server to practice with the equipment available. Several community resources are available in: Resources
• Platoon TACPs (x-8) can operate without PL.
• CAS can only be coordinated when a TACP is present.
• Terminal clearance must be given for every engagement and aircraft must ensure they are engaging targets that have been cleared by TACPs.
• Platoon TACPs (x-8) will need to understand support element SOPs  (Rotary and fixed wing CAS/logistics, Banshee, Phantom, Savage, Ogre, Butcher). Failing to implement assets within respective SOPs will result in administrative actions against the asset AND the PL. 

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