AIR COVER
Air threat varies from armed helicopters to high-performance
aircraft.
Convoys face the greatest danger of an air attack while
moving along open roads. Convoys also face danger of an air attack
during halts where there is no overhead cover.
An air attack is a type of ambush. Therefore, many of the procedures
used during a ground ambush also apply to the air attack.
For
example, you must--
prescribe alarm signals (see Table 3-1).
prescribe actions for the convoy to take when under attack.
prescribe actions for the convoy to take in the absence of
orders.
make sure that defense procedures are rehearsed.
review the procedures with convoy personnel before the convoy
moves out.
Remember, enemy pilots will--
try to surprise the convoy.
fly at a low altitude. (If they attack from higher than 350
meters, small arms fire will not have much of a chance against
them; however, artillery fire support can be used against
them.)
fly at high speed, using high-G maneuvers and jerking
(erratic) movements to make artillery fire support and small
arms fire less effective.
You may use camouflage and concealment techniques to make it more
difficult for the enemy to spot the convoy. Not much can be done to
change the shape of a vehicle moving down the road; however, the type
of cargo being transported can be disguised or concealed by covering
it with a tarpaulin.
Bulk fuel transporters (tankers) are usually
priority targets.
By rigging tarps and bows over the cargo
compartment, you can conceal the cargo from the enemy pilot.
54
TR1009
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