PART B - TERRAIN ANALYSIS
Terrain analysis in support of air defense, counterair, and other air-associated
operations is significantly different from terrain analysis for ground operations.
The analyst is dealing with a medium that extends several thousand meters above
ground level (AGL), and with forces whose mobility is limited only by their ability
to operate within this medium. The nature of airspace does not eliminate the need
for terrain analysis because aircraft and air defense elements will still attempt
to use the terrain to their own best advantage. In fact, it is probably accurate
to say that third dimension analysis (airspace) relies as much on terrain analysis
as does the ground IPB effort.
Standard military topographic maps are not normally considered suitable for other
than the most basic airspace analysis. Standard 1:50,000 scale topographic maps
are most useful when analyzing the ability of an aircraft to approach, acquire, and
engage a target. This analysis produces an aircraft's approach to target.
Detailed analysis of air avenues of approach (from air base to target vicinity), or
of enemy air corridors should be conducted using standard 1:250,000 scale Joint
Operations Graphic (JOG) specifically designed for this purpose. These are
available in JOG-A (Air), JOG-R (Radar), and JOG-G (Ground) production series. Of
these, JOG-R is considered to be the most accurate, and is the preferred graphic
for airspace analysis. JOG-A is the preferred graphic when the JOG-R is
unavailable. JOG-G is not sufficiently accurate for airspace analysis and should
be used only when JOG-R, JOG-A, or air traffic control (ATC) charts cannot be
procured.
Due to the production limitations of the defense mapping agency (DMA), JOG-series
graphics for all potential operating areas are not available. Units which are
required to operate in areas where JOG maps are unavailable should obtain
nonstandard 1:200,000 scale air traffic control (ATC) charts for airspace analysis
through aviation or DMA channels. Under no circumstances should nonstandard air
navigation charts be used for airspace analysis.
As with ground IPB, the intelligence staff receives support from the engineer
terrain team during airspace analysis. However, this support must be augmented by
personnel from other functional areas with an understanding of the air threat, air
defense systems and operations, and CAS techniques. This additional support is
provided by the air defense officer, the aviation officer, the division or corps G3
air officer, the Division Airspace Management Element (DAME) and Corps Airspace
Management Element (CAME), air cavalry troop commander, and the USAF FAC. Each of
these individuals is required to view the terrain regarding its potential effects
on the respective functional area and can, therefore, contribute to the terrain
analysis process through application of their specific
knowledge.
7-5
IT 0462
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