carriers and then fly on eastward to Japanese airfields in the Marianas, from which they would then
reattack. Simultaneously, substantial land-based naval air forces would attack the Fifth Fleet from Guam and Saipan, in the Marianas, reminiscent of our own attacks on the Japanese carriers from Midway Island.
This role in the ASSESS ph ase of the targeting process supports the staff in developing combat assessments and
reattack recommendations for the commander.
It incorporates false run, false run into a bite, search and
reattack, escort, and stand off.
A targeting cell checks targets against priorities and collateral effects and if needed confirms aircraft scheduling and arranges for
reattack of original targets by diverted aircraft.
They do very little, if any, in-depth analysis and make few recommendations beyond those based on a planned strike's not producing its direct effect on the target (i.e., a "
reattack recommendation").
In addition, Ark Royal's radar combined with its larger complement of fighters would have provided the task group with the ability to loiter in the central Mediterranean and effectively protect itself while waiting for a decision to
reattack. (67)
Joint doctrine divides CA into three elements: BDA, munitions effectiveness assessment (MEA), and
reattack recommendation (RR).
When forward firing attacks from fast CAS are made, the time between receiving the fire mission from the joint terminal air controllers (JTAC) and munitions on target can usually be measured in minutes, and
reattacks often require realigning for another run.
The
reattacks allowed more time for the defenders to shoot them down.