Section 5. Military Operations

6-5-1. MILITARY TRAINING ACTIVITY

a. Military Training Routes (MTR).

1. Unless otherwise covered in a letter of agreement, the tie-in AFSS/FSS/ARTCC/BASOPS for an MTR-scheduling activity shall transmit an unnumbered NADIN message. Use the assigned group code KAWPYFYX and for Alaska, use KFSSYFAK KAWPYFYX. Transmit as a single message whenever possible.

EXAMPLE-
AISR
FF ADDRESSES
DTG KDCAYFYX
IR104 1400-1440 60 AND BELOW
IR104 021530-021625 60 AND BELOW

M1FC
ORIGIN:FOD PRECEDENCE:FF TIME: ACK:N
ADDR: ADDRESSES
TEXT: IR505 1400-1600 60 AND BELOW

2. Multiple activities should be combined chronologically by use time(s) and transmitted (not more than 24 hours in advance) as a single message using only the format shown in the example below.

EXAMPLE-
AISR
FF ADDRESSES
DTG KDCAYFYX
VR066 1330-1440 100 AND BELOW
IR104 1400-1440 60 AND BELOW
IR104 1545-1630 50 AND BELOW
VR066 1600-1655 30 AND BELOW

M1FC
ORIGN:FOD PRECEDENCE:FF TIME: ACK:N
ADDR: ADDRESSES
TEXT: IR505 1440-1640 60 AND BELOW
IR507 1700-1800 60 AND BELOW

NOTE-
Slow-speed, low-altitude training routes are not to be transmitted, briefed on, or posted. The contraction VLAR is not an approved contraction.

b. Military Operations Area (MOA).

1. Transmit MOA messages only when the use times are other than what has already been published or otherwise covered in a letter of agreement. The controlling agency (usually an ARTCC) shall transmit an unnumbered NADIN message. Use the assigned group code KAWPYFYX and for Alaska, use KFSSYFAK KAWPYFYX. Use only approved MOA names as depicted in FAAO 7400.8 (DO NOT USE ABBREVIATIONS).

EXAMPLE-
AISR
FF ADDRESSES
DTG KZKCZRZX
BISON MOA 1345-1550 ALT 025B180

2. Activity schedules should be combined and listed chronologically by use time(s) and transmitted (not more than 24 hours in advance) as a single NADIN message using only the format shown in the following example:

EXAMPLE-
AISR
FF ADDRESSES
DTG KZKCZRZX
BISON MOA 1345-1550 ALT 025B180
BISON MOA 1600-1645 ALT 060B180
HILLTOP MOA 1600-1715 ALT 100B180
HOWARD MOA 1600-0200 ALT 090B180
REDHILLS MOA 1700-1800 ALT 080B100

c. A VR operation may be filed as a composite flight, IFR-VFR-IFR. Unless the BASOPS has the capability to do so, the tie-in AFSS/FSS shall transmit the IFR proposals in separate messages to the appropriate ARTCCs in accordance with paras 6-3-1, 6-3-2, 6-3-3, and 6-3-4.

d. Information received from either the AFSS/FSS/ARTCC/military scheduling activity or controlling agency that modifies an MTR and MOA schedule shall be transmitted by an unnumbered message via Service B as defined in subparas 6-5-1a and b.

e. Special Use Airspace (SUA).

1. M1FC. Properly formatted IRs, VRs, and MOAs are automatically placed on the list and the 0 queue. Messages are deleted from the list by automatic cancellation. The list is displayed by use of the following keywords: VM MO (ALL MOAs), or VM (MOA NAME) MO, IR, VM (STATE IDENT; i.e., VA) MO or VM IR, VM VR (ALL IRs or VRs), or VM 1756 VR (route specific). The route must be a four-digit character. Three-digit routes must be preceded by a zero.

2. OASIS. Properly formatted IRs, VRs and MOAs are automatically stored and are displayed using the Briefing functions. Messages are deleted by automatic cancellation.

NOTE-
The above procedures do not preclude a specialist from exercising his/her own judgment in providing further assistance when there is the slightest doubt about the adequacy of data being furnished to alert a pilot to the existence of an MTR or MOA.

6-5-2. AERIAL REFUELING TRACKS

Upon notification from the ARTCC or a scheduling facility that a published refueling track will be activated and all or part of the activity will take place outside of restricted/warning areas or Class A airspace, the tie-in AFSS/FSS shall issue a NOTAM for the aerial refueling track.

6-5-3. SPECIAL MILITARY FLIGHTS

a. Advise the ARTCC of flight notification messages, progress reports, changes en route, and related messages concerning Presidential or Vice Presidential flights.

b. Alaska. In addition to the above, give advance notice to all RCCs along the route of flight. Telephone SARCC (907) 752-0227 or (907) 752-0128. Initiate communications search procedures if arrival is not received within 15 minutes after ETA and immediately notify ANRCC (Alaskan NORAD Region Control Center).

6-5-4. MILITARY FOREIGN FLIGHTS

Generally, all military foreign flights are required to clear through specified military bases. Pilots normally will not file flight plans directly with an AFSS/FSS unless BASOPS is not available. BASOPS with no Service B access will forward an ICAO-type flight plan message via their tie-in AFSS/FSS for relay through the AFTN. BASOPS should specify all addressees, both ATC and operational, in accordance with ICAO standards and military regulations.

6-5-5. USAF/USN UNDERGRADUATE PILOTS

To identify aircraft piloted by solo USAF/USN undergraduate student pilots (who may occasionally request revised clearances because they normally are restricted to flight in VFR conditions), the aircraft identification in the flight plan shall include the letter Z as a suffix. Do not use this suffix in ground-to-air communication.

NOTE-
USAF solo students who have passed an instrument certification check may penetrate cloud layers in climb or descent only. Requests for revised clearances to avoid clouds in level flight can still be expected. This does not change the requirement to use the letter Z as a suffix to the aircraft identification.

6-5-6. MESSAGE HANDLING

Accept and forward messages from any military authority that concern aircraft movement, national defense, safety of flight, or emergencies. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

a. Flight Advisory Messages.

1. The tie-in AFSS/FSS originating the advisory or receiving it from the originating BASOPS shall determine the AFSS/FSS nearest the aircraft's estimated position for VFR flights, or the appropriate ARTCC for IFR flights. Transmit a numbered message only to the facility identified. Include in the text, FLT ADVY, aircraft identification and type, and route of flight in that order. The last item shall be the identifier of the originating BASOPS or AFSS/FSS.

EXAMPLE-
AISR
FF KZIDZRZX
DTG KCOUYFYX
COU005 ZID
FLT ADVY A12345 T38 GVW J80 DAY
DAY WX BLO LNDG MIN. SUG PROCD CVG.
ADZ INTENTIONS DLVR 1625
GVW BASOPS

M1FC
ORIGIN:COU PRECEDENCE:FF TIME: ACK:Y
ADDR: KZIDZRZX
TEXT: A12345 FLT ADVY T38 GVW J80 DAY
DAY WX BLO LNDG MIN. SUG PROCD CVG.
ADZ INTENTIONS DLVR 1625 GVW BASOPS

2. Inform the originator if unable to deliver the flight advisory within 15 minutes. File the message.

b. Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) Alerts. Transmit a numbered message via Service B to tie-in stations serving the addressees. If acknowledgements are not received within 1 hour, deliver via telephone.

c. REACH and SAM Flight Messages. Forward to the airlift command post specified by the pilot if message contains request PASS TO AMC ACP.

d. UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT (UFO)/ UNEXPLAINED PHENOMENA REPORTS.

1. Persons observing UFOs/Unexplained Phenomena should contact an UFO/Unexplained Phenomena Reporting Data Collection Center, such as the National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS), the National UFO Reporting Center, etc.

2. If concern is expressed that life or property might be endangered, also refer the individual to the local police department.