In planning final attack headings, you should avoid flying attacking aircraft over friendlies when possible.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not specified
• D. Depends

Answer: (A)

The key idea is reducing risk to friendlies by choosing attack routes that keep aircraft out of the path above them during the final attack. Flying over friendly forces can lead to fratricide if munitions mis-release, timing errors, or target misidentification occur, and it also complicates coordination with ground units and airspace deconfliction. Therefore, whenever feasible, you plan the final attack heading so the attack angle and flight path avoid passing over friendlies, keeping the aircraft on a approach that minimizes risk to those on the ground. If circumstances force a path over friendlies, you rely on tighter coordination, stricter control measures, and specified release criteria to manage the risk.