1. This document contains the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
The SOP will not go into detail on specific parts of the SOPs themselves, but rather take for granted that an air check in has been made, and all the prowords, procedures and general terminology etc. is understood. The SOPs are only short bullet point lists of how standard operations should be carried out. In practice there will be deviations.
For further in depth analysis and more information on the different procedures, refer to the Air Vehicles section.
2. This publication will be used to implement the academic portion of the Transition Helicopter curriculum.
3. Recommendations for changes shall be submitted to JCS-TFR.
SOP 1: CAsualty Evacuation
CASEVAC
Two pilot system: After receiving line 1, the pilot marks down the LZ and starts to fly towards the grid reference given. The co-pilot takes down all other information and will handle most radio communications throughout the procedure. When co-pilot is done receiving the information he briefs the pilot enroute to LZ.
One pilot system: Pilot takes down all necessary lines and makes necessary markings on the map before initiating.
1. At ETA 2 minutes to LZ the co-pilot calls ground element with ETA.
2. When approaching the LZ both pilot and co-pilot looks for the marking (if any) and calls it out. The crew chief (if applicable) aids in this task and stands ready with mounted guns from this point onward.
3. If smoke (example), co-pilot calls over the radio to the ground station “tally purple smoke”, which will be answered with “copy purple smoke. Cleared to land/wave off”.
4. The pilot flies while the co-pilot checks surrounding and landing area for obstructions, calls out enemies etc. The crew chief (if applicable) aids in this task.
5. On the last part of the final right before landing the copilot clears the right side (example) from 000 to 180 while the pilot clears the remaining 180 (in this case 180 to 000). Co-pilot will pay special attention to the tail and call out to the pilot “Clear right” when the aircraft is cleared to land from his POV, answered with “Left clear” from the pilot. Use the crew chief (if applicable) also for this task.
6. Upon touchdown, call ground element with “(callsign) on deck”.
7. Ground forces loads up casualties and calls either over radio or vocally to helicopter that “all pacs/pax in/all in cleared take off”, which in turn is answered with “(callsign) lifting”
8. The pilot takes off in best direction with regards to enemy/terrain etc.
END OF SOP 1: CASEVAC
SOP 2: Close Air Support
CAS Call For Fire
1. Pilot receives entire call for fire and makes sure everything is understood before continuing. Pilot will consult the map and either mark or mentally take note of the enemy and friendly positions. ASK IF NOT 100% CERTAIN.
2. Mark target and friendlies on map. (Optional: draw final attack heading on map to better see with GPS)
3. Communicate with JTAC regarding ordnance request, egress on target, and important targets of opportunity.
4. Final attack heading may have been requested, IF NOT: pilot chooses final attack heading that is least likely to affect friendlies and civilians (take into account AA capabilities of the enemy)
5. When inside 2 minutes of target: Pilot switches off MASTERSAFE and readies requested ordnance. Advise JTAC/ground element with Time to Target
6. Set up final attack heading so that when first engaging the target, distance to target will be approximately 800-500m, and speed approximately 60 kts/100 kmh.
AT MY COMMAND
Not active: • When tallying target (mark or visual), fire when ready
• When ordnance has been dispensed call “(callsign) out”
• Followed with BDA from JTAC and further instructions
Active: • When tallying target, (mark or visual) call “(callsign) Tally target”.
• Will be approved with “cleared hot” or declined using abort code.
• When ordnance has been dispensed, call “(callsign) out” • Followed with BDA from JFO and further instructions
BREAKING OFF Breaking off from the engagement should happen approximately 200m from target or 50m after passing the target once ordnance has released. The distance to target that has when disengaging will vary with many factors, but operating within anything less than 200m from the enemy is very risky.
Break off in the requested egress direction or where the helicopter will be least likely to encounter enemy fire. Take cover if available. MASTERSAFE on.
NOTE: Pay special attention to radio calls on final attack heading and while engaging. Comply with any orders/requests given from the ground element to wave off or cease fire.
END OF SOP 2: CAS
SOP 3: SLINGLOADING
WITHOUT LOADMASTER
1. Deploy cargo ropes, attach to load(s). Adjust rope length as needed.
2. Get in the aircraft, start up, take off into a low hover above the load(s)
3. Gain altitude until ropes are tight.
4. Slowly increase collective until load is free from ground
5. Perform a near vertical take off in the direction chosen, do not go for speed until the load if free from obstacles.
6. A good speed is normally 60-80 kts/110-150 kmh with underslung cargo. Adjust cargo rope length to 15 m (standard). If the aircraft starts behaving erratically, bleed airspeed slowly.
NOTE: Speed should never exceed 80kts/150kmh.
7. Arriving at LZ, the approach should be made with the load in mind, so higher and steeper than normal. Continually bleed airspeed during the approach, until load is hovering above the target LZ.
8. Slowly lower collective until load touches ground. Confirm either visually or over radio.
9. (Alternatively lengthen caro rope length until load touches ground if LZ is too confined)
10. Release cargo and confirm cargo free before taking off (visual and/or radio)
WITH LOADMASTER
Hover directly over load. Release cargo ropes and adjust length as needed.
Load master grabs ropes and attaches to cargo.
Confirm visually or via radio that Cargo is hooked.
For take off, follow same procedures as in “Taking off without load master”
END OF SOP 3: SLING LOADING
SOP 4: TROOP TRANSPORTATION
1. Radio check with chalk leader
2. On final approach, call “30 seconds, red light” to drop zone to the troops that being transported. Chalk is quiet from this point on.
NOTE: Use spiral approach to check the LZ before inserting chalk if there is not escort
3. Choose drop-off method prior to depositing troops (preferably 10 seconds before arriving at LZ)
4. (If fastroping) Come into a hover over the drop zone 10-15m
5. Call “Green light/go go”, when chalk is cleared to disembark
6. Commander repeats green light
7. Commander calls “1”, number 1 deposits, “2”, number 2 deposits etc. When the commander is about to deposit, he calls “last one”.
8. Confirm, visually and over radio, that chalk is on ground
9. Depart area
END OF SOP 4: TROOP TRANSPORTATION
SOP 5: FORMATION FLYING
NORMAL FORMATION FLYING (Applicable to Fixed Wing)
TAKEOFF
1. Flight lead calls “1 dusting”, followed by “1 clear” when 2 is cleared to lift. 2 calls “2 dusting” and “2 clear” when 3 is cleared to lift, etc.
2. When all helicopters are in the air, Flight Lead calls the speed he will set until all aircraft are saddled.
3. When 2 is saddled, he calls “2 saddled”, followed by “3 saddled” etc.
4. When all aircraft are saddled, Flight Lead calls speed he is going for.
5. All aircraft increase speed, to the speed called by Flight Lead, at the same time.
6. Flight lead calls type of formation
CRUISE
1. Flight forms up in formation
2. Flight Lead will maintain the speed and altitude set by himself
3. When Flight Lead wants to change airspeed/heading/altitude, he will call it out over the radio a few seconds before he initiates so everyone is synchronized
4. Following aircraft in the formation will keep a distance of approximately 50-100m (standard) to the preceding aircraft unless another value has been called by Flight Lead
LANDING
1. Flight Lead calls “1 turning final” when turning to the final approach heading of the LZ
When approximately 1 kilometer out
2. Flight lead calls “bleeding”/”bleeding for balance”
3. All aircraft start airspeed bleed down to 130kmh
When approximately 350-400m out
4. Flight lead calls “bleeding” again
5. All aircraft start airspeed bleed down to 60kmh
When approximately 100m out
6. Flight Lead calls Flaring
7. All aircraft bleed down to a hover while descending for landing.
8. Flight lead calls “1 on deck” when on ground, followed by “2 on deck” etc.
COMBAT FORMATION FLYING
1. For Combat Flying, Flight Lead will normally established communications with ground elements to receive CAS and CASEVAC requests.
2. It is the responsibility of the Flight Lead to make sure that all the aircraft in the formation have copied them down and that they understand them.
CAS
3. Flight Lead will normally engage first
4. He will call over radio to the other aircraft that he is breaking formation to engage target with: “1 breaking to engage target”
5. The remaining aircraft in the formation will continue flying in formation, until;
6. After about 10 seconds the second aircraft breaks formation to engage the target, then 10 seconds until 3 engages, etc, calling “2 breaking to engage” etc.
7. When Flight lead has disengaged from target, he calls “1 out”, and returns to an AP or pre planned point. He will announce direction of egress. Once at that point, establish orbit and wait for his flight. Following aircraft in the formation will do the same in the same order.
NOTE: Final attack heading and egress will not be the same for all aircraft in the flight.
ESCORT Without:Follow the same procedure as in “Normal formation flying”. Be aware of enemy fire from the ground.
With:The escort will normally be at the head of the formation.
1.5 KM OUT
1. The CASEVAC/Extraction/Insertion aircraft will bleed to balanced state (130 kmh) and enter orbit (if necessary) to keep distance to LZ.
2. The escort aircraft will keep his airspeed and continue to LZ and enter orbit to check for hostile activity in the area.
ESCORT IN ORBIT
3. In case of any hostile activity: engage if requested/necessary
4. Clear CASEVAC/Extraction/Insertion helicopter when area is clear. Stay in orbit, keep a look out for hostile activity and keep eyes on the other A/C
CASEVAC / EXTRACTION / INSERTION 1. Fly to LZ when cleared in by escort
2. When on ground, call to ground element with “(callsign) on deck, cleared to disembark/embark)
3. When loaded/all pax out, ground element will call either vocally or over the radio “all in/all out cleared for take off”
4. Take off
Note: Listen to escort with regards to choice of ingress/egress directions, reform formation
NOTE: LANDING: If lead waves off during the landing, the whole flight waves off. TAKE OFF: If a helicopter is full/”all in” is called;. That helicopter takes off and does not wait for the lead to call take off.
END OF SOP 5: FORMATION FLYING
SOP 6: Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance
1. Talk to the ground element about what type of mission they are conducting (stealth in particular will require higher altitudes and wider orbits)
2. Standard procedure is altitude 500-1000m, and 1000-2000m radius in the orbit
3. Make traffic call to aircraft operating in the area and state intentions, and what the pilot will be doing (altitude, direction)
RESPONSIBILITIES Pilot:Flies the aircraft and takes into account the best direction/altitude for the copilot/camera operator
Copilot:Handles communications and calls in to ground element with anything of interest.
1. If anything is spotted, call it in to ground element with grid reference, description, anything that might be of interest. 2. Keep eyes on target and report deviations
NOTE: Do not clutter the frequency with too many updates. 1 update per orbit is usually sufficient unless changes occur/more frequent updates have been requested.
SENDING PROFILES OF INTEREST (POI)
1. Type of structure, number of stories, size, enemy threat level and description
2. Surroundings (Roads, landmarks, rivers etc.)
NOTE: Keep it simple don't over complicate.
END OF SOP 6: ISR
SOP 7: DOWNED AIRCRAFT
MAYDAY SITUATION
1. If time permits, the helicopter/airplane that is experiencing the emergency, will establish THOR (Tactical Helicopter Operational Rescue).
2. If successful emergency landing, establish safe distance from the downed aircraft, try to establish radio contact with the respective location/grid reference.
3. Attach IR strobe.
NOTE: Restrict the use of IR equipment if hostiles with IR/NV capabilities are present in the AO.
4. Advise aircraft in the area of enemy position and ingress route for pickup.
5. Choose a suitable landing area for the evacuation helicopter while waiting.
NOTE: Be careful with the use of smoke/flares since there is enemy is in the area
ACTIVE AIRSPACE 1. Call it in to ground element on that a helicopter/airplane has crashed/been shot down.
2. Investigate; Establish orbit and check surrounding area for friendlies and enemies and the current situation of the relevant airframe while trying to establish radio contact with downed aircraft on THOR.
3. Call ground element and state the current situation and intentions.
AIRCRAFT INTACT
1. Confirm that it is safe to land (for helicopters) in the area (enemies/terrain etc.)
2. Search aircraft.
3. Extract pilot/survivors from downed aircraft.
4. Destroy aircraft through most optimal means (explosives/other air assets etc.).
5. Extract with survivors, radio with status update.
AIRCRAFT DESTROYED
1. Confirm that it is safe to land (for helicopters) in the area (enemies/terrain etc.)
2. Search aircraft.
3. Extract pilot/survivors from downed aircraft.
4. Extract with survivors, radio with status update.
END OF SOP 7: DOWNED AIRCRAFT
SOP 8: AA / GROUND FIRE AVOIDANCE
AA THREAD
1. Stay low at all times, 20 m or lower.
2. Navigate around positions of known AA.
3. Avoid flying over high peaks, aim to stay in valleys or similar cover to break line of sight.
4. SPs and AP’s should be moved in case they are in an area where the enemy has known or suspected AA capabilities.
When getting locked:
1. If the aircraft gets locked, pop chaffs or other countermeasures, and dive low.
2. If the aircraft can not go any lower, take cover if possible to break line of sight.
3. Perform evasive maneuvers.
4. When time permits call out all information on the threat via radio.
GROUND FIRE
1. If being engaged by the enemy with small arms, .50 cal, etc. avoid flying straight towards or away from that enemy as that will leave the aircraft most vulnerable to receive hits
2. Take cover if available.
3. Increasing distance or breaking line of sight to the enemy is the number one priority.
4. If receiving hits, break off and fly at a more less perpendicular angle to the attacking enemy.
5. Erratic speed, altitude and heading changes will make the aircraft a harder target to hit (jinking) while increasing the distance.