What is marking with smoke and when would you use it?

• A. The ground or air team uses colored smoke to visually mark a target location, used when the target is not easily identifiable
• B. Smoke is used for camouflage
• C. Smoke is used to signal a retreat
• D. Smoke indicates bad weather

Answer: (A)

Marking with smoke is using colored smoke to create a visible marker on the ground or in the air. Ground or air teams deploy colored smoke to clearly designate a target location so aircraft or supporting units can find it, especially when the target isn’t easily identifiable from a distance or through concealment. This visual cue helps guide attack directions, designate a drop zone or extraction point, and reduce misidentification for precise fires. It’s not about camouflage, it’s not a retreat signal, and it doesn’t indicate weather. Remember to account for wind, so the smoke drifts toward the actual target area rather than away from it.