What should be included in a pre-mission brief for a CAS run?

• A. A detailed post-mission debrief outline.
• B. Pilot name and home base only.
• C. Mission objective, ROE, target location/description, equipment and munitions, kill box/airspace plan, communication plan, contingency actions.
• D. Lunch menu and coffee quality.

Answer: (C)

A pre-mission brief for a CAS run must establish the plan, boundaries, and safety measures so air support can line up with the ground task and react to changing conditions. It should include the mission objective so everyone on the team understands what the air assets are trying to achieve. The rules of engagement spell out what use of force is permitted, preventing fratricide and civilian harm. The target location and description give a precise, commonly understood reference for accuracy and deconfliction. Specifying the equipment and munitions to be used ensures both sides know what assets are available and what effects to expect. The kill box or airspace plan defines where aircraft can fly and how airspace will be kept separate from other assets, reducing the risk of collisions or mis-targeting. The communication plan details who talks to whom, on what frequencies or nets, and how to request or report updates, so the team can adapt quickly. Contingency actions prepare for aborts, changes in weather, or evolving ground conditions, ensuring there’s a clear course of action if the situation shifts.

Other options don’t provide this full, coordinated plan: one focuses on after-action review rather than the planned mission execution, another offers only basic personnel data, and the last item is irrelevant to mission success.