Joint Air Attack Team Tactics (JAATT) was a doctrine,[1][2][3] taught by the US militaryTactical Air Command "in acombined arms team concept of operations" throughTRADOC. The tactic was founded on both theA-10 and theOH-58 aircraft. "Using nap-of-the-earth flying techniques, helicopters can use even small terrain features for concealment. The helicopter-borneForward Air Controller (FAC) has better survivability than hisfixed-wing FAC counterpart, near the forward edge of the battle area."[4]
Simulated OH-58C Kiowa helicopter and simulated fuel blivets during a deception operation on 10 November 1990 carried out by theXVIII Airborne Corps Deception Cell. This simulatedforward arming and refueling point (FARP) at TL 139512 in the Eastern Province ofSaudi Arabia was approximately 45 kilometers northwest ofAn Nuariya.
The idea was to "locate, engage and destroy tanks and other armoured vehicles" and was taught from November 1978.[8][9][10][11]
TheRapid Deployment Force (RDF) worked together with TAC through the joint Air-Land Force Applications Agency atLangley Air Force Base, on a variety of projects. The two services continued development and training of JAATT, a team concept that had proved effective in providing Air Force A-10 aircraft and Army attack helicopters a much higher degree of survivability than when each operated independently. The Applications Agency prepared a draft joint counter-air and air defense interim operational concept, and representatives of the two services agreed to a joint operational concept forsuppressing enemy air defense.[5]
The British Army would seem to have adopted these tactics,[12] especially in conjunction with the American base atRAF Bentwaters.[13] The husband of US SenatorKelly Ayotte was a key instructor of this doctrine while he served from 1990 with theMassachusetts Air National Guard.[14]
^"Army Aviation"(PDF). HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY. July 2015.
^Kistler, CPT Charles E. III; Tway, MAJ Duane C. (17 October 1979)."The FAC and The Future ("FAC IT")".Air Land Bulletin.1979. Air Land Sea Space Application (ALSSA) Center.
