21st Century U.S. Military Documents: Joint Shipboard Helicopter and Tiltrotor Aircraft Operations (Joint Publication 3-04) - Embarkation, Safety, Ordnance, Electromagnetic Effects

This publication provides doctrine for planning, coordinating, and conducting joint shipboard helicopter and tiltrotor aircraft operations from United States air-capable ships.

CHAPTER I * INTRODUCTION TO JOINT SHIPBOARD HELICOPTER AND TILTROTOR AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS * Purpose * General * CHAPTER II * PLANNING * Joint Force Commander Considerations * Compatibility Analysis * General Planning Considerations * Pre-Deployment Training and Certification * Embarkation Planning * Debarkation Planning * Safety * Ordnance * Electromagnetic Environmental Effects * CHAPTER III * OPERATIONS * Pre-Operations * Shipboard Command Authorities * Flight and Hangar Deck Operations * CHAPTER IV * SUSTAINMENT * General * Maintenance Considerations * Other Logistics and Personnel Service Considerations

This publication provides general guidance for integrating any Service helicopter or tiltrotor aircraft onboard air-capable ships, amphibious assault ships, and aircraft carriers for operations from the sea.
Unlike some joint operations where the Services are assigned operational areas and interact with each other on the margins (via communications channels or across boundary lines), joint shipboard helicopter and tiltrotor operations require continuous interaction, coordination, and teamwork to accomplish the simplest of tasks. Poor interaction and coordination can result in personnel injury and equipment damage. If not quickly identified and mitigated, Service differences in terminology, training, equipment, and standing operating procedures will be magnified and may develop into significant challenges.
Planning
Joint Force Commander Considerations
When embarking other Service helicopters/tiltrotor aircraft on Navy ships, there are three major ship mission trade-offs to consider: displacement of naval aircraft; removal of the ship from its place in the amphibious ready group or carrier strike group; and degradation of ship and/or embarked unit mission capabilities resulting from emission control (EMCON)/hazards of electromagnetic radiation to ordnance (HERO) requirements, wind limitations, and/or geographic location requirements. Joint force commander (JFC) considerations also include the impact of embarking other Service helicopters or tiltrotor aircraft on a small air-capable ship (ACS) (such as a cruiser or destroyer) or on an aircraft carrier or amphibious assault ship.