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The number (which may consist of one, two,
or three digits) indicates the design number of the
type of aircraft. The designator A-7 shows an
aircraft to be the seventh attack design. If a
particular design is modified, another letter (A,
B, C, etc.) follows the design number; this letter
identifies the number of the modification. For
example, the second A in A-6A tells us that the
original design of this attack plane has been
modified one time.
When the original mission of an aircraft
changes, a mission-modification letter precedes
the basic mission symbol. These are as follows:
A —Attack
C —Cargo/transport
D —Director (for
control of drones)
E —Special electronic
installation
H —Search and rescue
K —Tanker
L —Cold weather
M—Missile carrier
Q –Drone
R —Reconnaissance
S —Antisubmarine
T —Trainer
U —Utility
V —Staff
W —Weather
Thus, if the A-4 is modified to be used as a
training aircraft, its alphanumeric identification
becomes TA-4.
Other letters that frequently appear before a
basic mission symbol or mission-modification
letter are “special-use” symbols that indicate the
special status of an aircraft. Currently, six special-
use symbols are used:
G—Permanently grounded (for ground
training)
J —Special test, temporary (when tests are
complete, the craft will be restored to its
original design)
N—Special test, permanent
X—Experimental stage of development
Y—Prototype (for design testing)
Z —Early stages of planning or development
STRIKING FORCE
A strike is an attack that is intended to inflict
damage to, seize, or destroy an objective. A
striking force is a force composed of appropriate
units needed to conduct strike, attack, or assault
operations.
Because of their mobility and versatile power,
naval striking forces are ideal instruments for
enforcing national military policy and settling
outbreaks of hostilities. In peacetime, the
existence of a naval striking force may serve as
a stabilizing influence to inhibit the outbreak of
hostilities.
If hostilities should occur in spite of attempts
to settle international disputes by other means,
the naval striking force is available immediately.
It will take prompt and decisive action to
accomplish national objectives.
Mobility is one of the greatest assets of naval
striking forces. It makes surprise attacks possible
from any point on the periphery of an enemy land
area bounded by navigable waters. The versatility
of a striking force permits the use of a wide variety
of weapons systems from either distant or close
ranges.
AIR STRIKES
An air strike is an attempt by a group of
aircraft to inflict damage on an enemy target.
Before an air strike is made against targets
ashore, the strike planners will formulate and
consider a plan of attack. First they meet in the
carrier intelligence center (CVIC) to view all of
the information the air intelligence officer makes
available to them. They use the latest technology
available in the planning of their missions. One
system they use is the tactical air mission planning
system (TAMPS). It automatically performs most
of the more tedious planning steps strike planners
previously did manually.
Once the plan is complete, all pilots who will
take part in the actual strike attend a detailed
briefing. The briefing covers all known informa-
tion that might contribute to the success of the
mission. It includes enemy strength; location or
probable location of the enemy; recovery of
“safe” areas; weather conditions; location of
friendly forces; and, if possible, target priorities.
The method of delivering the attacks and the
weapons selected depends on several elements.
They include the construction of the target,
whether the tactical situation calls for a day or
night attack, and the weather conditions at the
target.
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