LESSON
SMALL ARMS DEFENSE AGAINST AIR ATTACK
Critical Tasks: 01-0401.20-0001; 441-091-1101; 441-091-1102
OVERVIEW
In this lesson you will learn the basic procedures and techniques for small arms defense against air
attack.
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE
ACTION:
You will identify threat situations, state passive air defense measures,
identify procedures for applying active air defense measures to include
aiming points and firing positions.
CONDITIONS:
Use only this lesson material to complete the examination.
STANDARDS:
To demonstrate competency of this task, you must attain a grade of 75
percent or more on the subcourse examination to receive credit for this
subcourse.
REFERENCES:
The material contained in this lesson was derived from the following
publications: FM 5-20, FM 5-103, FM 44-8 and FM 3 01.80.
INTRODUCTION
In past wars, United States forces have fought on the battlefield with little concern about being
attacked from the air. Troops and convoys were only occasionally bombed and strafed by hostile
aircraft. Our forces enjoyed the luxury of practically unchallenged air superiority.
However, days of total air superiority by friendly forces are over. Our potential enemies now may
have as many or more aircraft than we do. The sophistication of these aircraft has greatly
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increased during the last ten years. Aircraft such as the Mi-24 Hind D/E, and the Su-25 Frogfoot
re being produced in large numbers.
Our potential enemies will gain air superiority over sectors of the battlefield for certain periods.
When this happens, any unit in the division could be subjected to an air attack. Our enemies
consider their air forces an extension of their field artillery. Their ground attack aircraft and attack
helicopters operate as a part of the combat force and have the mission of supporting the attack by
destroying the opposing force's maneuver units, lines of communications, command and control
facilities, and logistical support means.
In the past, ground commanders have concentrated their attention toward winning the land battle
and left the job of controlling the air to the Air Force and Air Defense Artillery. This is no longer
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