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Chapter Twenty-five
SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR CIC IN CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT

A. INTRODUCTION.

B. OPERATIONS PLANS.

C. THE ACI OFFICER.

D. INFORMATION FROM AIR OPERATIONS.

E. AEROLOGY.

F. LOOKOUTS.

G. COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT.

H. PICKET DESTROYERS.

I PILOT HOUSE.

J. VISUAL CONTROLLER.

K. PATROLS AND STRIKES.

L. AIR CONTROL CHANNEL.

M. RADIO INTELLIGENCE.

N. RADAR INFORMATION.

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Figure 190.

Chapter 25
SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR CIC IN CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT

A. INTRODUCTION

Sources of information within CIC include radars, operation plans, USF publications, dispatches, the ACI officer, air operations, aerology, lookouts, visual controller, radio intelligence, communications, and others. CIC both receives information from and passes information to these sources.

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Figure 191.

B. OPERATIONS PLAN

The operations plan is a directive issued by the OTC which specifies the details necessary for the execution of an operation. The plan is divided in several sections, the following of which are of concern to the CIC Watch Officer:

  1. Cruising Instructions outlines the various cruising dispositions and formations to be used under specific conditions, lists geographical reference points, submarine sanctuaries, and the safety lanes in the area of the operation.

  2. General Operating Instructions list special instructions for miscellaneous operations such as hunter/killer missions, VF (N) procedure and aircraft emergency doctrine.

  3. Air Plan schedules times of landing and launching, the type of patrols to be flown and the number of aircraft prescribed for each patrol. A strike schedule with bomb loadings for each mission is included.

  4. The Communications Plan states the conditions of radio and radar silence, the various frequencies to be employed and the designated use of each, authenticators, and both radio and radar guard assignments.

  5. Search and Rescue provisions will describe measures to be employed, submarine lifeguards, rescue frequencies, reference points, and all general instructions.

  6. Radar and Air Control Instructions include force and group CIC assignments, designated duties and air control doctrine, plus special instructions for the tactical use of radars, deployment of CAP, "scramble" plans, etc.

  7. Intelligence Summary gives statistical data concerning the area in which operations will take place, the enemy's strength in men, aircraft, and equipment and the type of resistance the force may expect to meet.

  8. Battle Plan details the maneuvers the task force commander will employ in the event of enemy attack and the procedure to be used in emergency maneuvers or in the case of damaged ship casualties.

  9. Training Exercises are also listed in the operation plan and include descriptions of the various intercept and tracking drills the task force will perform where conditions permit such practice.


Figure 192.

C. THE ACI (AIR COMBAT INFORMATION) OFFICER

The ACI officer supplies geographical data pertinent to the operation, maps, and charts covering the area. ACI is also a source for intelligence regarding enemy strength, tactics, aircraft performance, pattern of enemy and friendly searches, daily movement of friendly ships within the general area, submarine movements, sanctuaries, and other information. ACI may likewise be consulted for current evaluation of all strike results.


Figure 193.

D. INFORMATION FROM AIR OPERATIONS

Air operations furnishes CIC with accurate daily flight schedules listing arming plans, pilot calls and plane numbers, and tactical data sheets. Air operations should also have up to the minute knowledge of deck conditions,

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aircraft and pilot availability, condition of aircraft readiness and all "Point OBOE" data, also side numbers of planes taking off and landing provided from primary or secondary fly.


Figure 194.

E. AEROLOGY

Aerology provides daily weather forecasts, direction and velocity of winds aloft, barometric pressure, and other pertinent information.


Figure 195.

F. LOOKOUTS

Aircraft recognition is an important function of the lookouts. Other lookout reports are changes within the formation, spotting of decks, position of CAP, and reports on returning strikes and any water landings.


Figure 196.

G. COMMUNICATION DIVISION

The communications department should keep CIC informed of what is taking place in the over-all picture by supplying CIC with copies of pertinent despatches including all operational despatches. These despatches, are received either visually or by radio. Communications is also responsible for supplying CIC with the daily shackle code, authenticators and recognition signals, and reporting any important information overhead on frequencies that CIC does not monitor.


Figure 197.

H. PICKET DESTROYERS

Picket destroyers are playing an increasingly important role in providing information to CIC and in controlling aircraft themselves. They are able to give information on returning strikes, enemy activity, weather, and combat engagements of CAP under their control. (See TJSF4 for employment of radar pickets).


Figure 196.

I. PILOT HOUSE

The pilot house supplies the night orders, captain's intentions, maneuvers, and any important command changes affecting the plan in operation. The charthouse can be called upon for periodic check on DRT.


Figure 199.

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J. VISUAL CONTROLLER

Visual controller may in addition to intercept duties be very useful for aircraft recognition and for reporting information concerning condition of other carrier decks.


Figure 200.

K. PATROLS AND STRIKES

Patrols and strike leaders can supply weather facts, rescue information, target information, air emergency aid, contact reports, status of returning strikes, time of departure and ETA (estimated time of arrival).


Figure 201.

L. COMBAT INFORMATION NETS

Combat information nets provide radar information from other ships and are the means by which all CIC officers may exchange information regarding task group operations. It is important that CIC's working together have a reliable method of interchanging pertinent information.


Figure 202.

M. RADIO INTELLIGENCE

Radio intelligence may supply information concerning the enemy's strength, location, and movements.


Figure 203.

N. RADAR INFORMATION

Finally CIC obtains information from the radars which is naturally so vital to the effective control of aircraft.

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