In which phase of a CAS mission is the situation assessed for risks to friendly forces before engaging the target?

The situation is assessed for risks to friendly forces during the Planning phase of a Close Air Support (CAS) mission for several reasons. During this phase, the Fire Support Team (FiST) and other involved units conduct a thorough analysis of the operational environment, which includes reviewing the location of friendly forces, potential threats, and possible collateral damage.

This assessment is crucial as it helps to ensure all necessary precautions are taken to minimize the risk to friendly troops during the engagement. The Planning phase involves determining the type of ordnance to be used, the method of attack, and establishing safe distances to avoid fratricide or unintended harm to allies. By identifying risks early in the process, the team can effectively communicate with air support assets, enabling a coordinated and safe engagement of the target.

Once the plan is established, subsequent phases, such as Attack Execution and Post-Engagement, focus on the direct implementation of the plan and assessment of the mission’s success but do not include the same detailed risk assessment for friendly forces that occurs during Planning.