Air monitoring mission

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An air surveillance operation or patrol with combat missions (English combat air patrol , CAP) is a defensive operation of combat aircraft .

It is flown in a spacious rectangular pattern and a predetermined route in order to effectively defend a certain area from enemy air forces. This mission provides neither the discovery and destruction of ground targets nor a significant deviation from the planned routes to intercept enemy aircraft. The advantages of using the CAP lie in the possibility of identifying and intercepting opposing air forces well in advance of their actual targets. This is of particular importance if enemy forces are expected to be equipped with long-range missiles ( e.g. cruise missiles ) that can be fired many kilometers from the target.

Depending on the specific objective, there are differently designated forms of CAP operations. For example, RESCAP missions ( Rescue Combat Air Patrol ) aim to cover a rescue mission from enemy intervention, while FORCAP missions ( Forward Combat Air Patrol ) aim to secure the airspace over enemy territory until bombers arrive.

literature

  • Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. JCS Publication 1-02.