1-104 ARB and AASF#2 PA JST

BRIEFING OFFICER /
APPROVAL AUTHORITY
TRAINING
12 January 2015

References
AR 95-1, paragraph 2-14
NG Supplement 1 to AR 95-1,paragraph
2-14

AR 951

214 Mission Approval Process

Policies and Procedures
Commanders in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel or
Facility Commander and above, will develop and publish
policies and procedures for the mission approval process
for those units under their command.
Final Approval Authorities and Briefing Officers will be
designated by name and in writing.
Approval authorities and procedures established for
tactical and combat operations, such as strip alert
missions (QRF, MedEvac), may differ from those utilized
for garrison operations and will be considered when
developing policies.

Mission Approval Process

The mission approval process for aviation
operations is completed in three steps
that must be completed prior to mission
execution.

214 Mission approval process

Step 1 Initial Mission Approval
(1) Initial Mission Approval. The commander or their designated
representative determine the mission feasibility and either
accept or reject the mission for the command.
Initial approval may occur at different levels of command
depending on how the mission is generated. (Local Policies)
The commander or his representative determine the mission
feasibility considering some of the following factors:
alignment with the units mission essential task list
aircraft required and availability
availability of required special mission equipment
trained air crew availability
other training and mission impacts, tactical and threat
considerations, and so on.
This step is not a detailed hazard and risk analysis for specific
flight operations but rather an assessment by the command on
the units capability to accomplish the mission.

214 Mission Approval Process

Step 2 Mission planning and briefing
(2) Briefing officers. Commanders will select briefing officers
based on their experience, maturity, judgment, and ability to
effectively mitigate risk to the aircrew.
Commanders will limit the number of briefing officers to the
number required to meet operational requirements
Commanders will establish a training and certification
program to ensure standardization and understanding of the
mission approval and risk management process.
Briefing officers must be a qualified and current pilot in
command in the mission profile as determined and designated
by the commander.(30 Day Extension/RL2 or 3?)
Briefing officers are authorized to brief missions regardless of
the level of mitigated risk.
Self-briefing is not authorized unless approved by the first
officer in the grade of lieutenant colonel or above in the chain
of command. (?!?!?!?!?!?!?)

Step 2 Mission planning and briefing

Self Briefing
AR 95-1 - Self-briefing is not authorized unless approved by
the first officer in the grade of lieutenant colonel or above in
the chain of command.
NG Supplement 1 to AR 95-1 Briefing Officers and FMAAs
(Final Mission Approval Authority) should be two different
individuals. Although not recommended, circumstances may
require them to be the same individual. The individual must
then have the qualifications of both Briefing Officer and
FMAA.

Mission Profile

Briefing officers must be trained in the mission profile they will brief.
Mission Profiles are defined by BDE as follows:
INSTRUMENT FLIGHT
TERRAIN FLIGHT
EXTERNAL LOADS
PASSENGER TRANSPORT
GUNNERY
VFR CROSS COUNTRY
COUNTER DRUG OPS
NVS

Mission Profiles are not aircraft specific

Briefing officers not qualified in a mission profile will receive training

for that profile prior to briefing that mission profile

214 Mission Approval Process

Step 2 Mission planning and briefing

Mission briefing officers will, at a

minimum, review and assess the following
(9) key areas in the mission planning
process:

214 Mission Approval Process

Step 2 Mission planning and briefing

(a) The flight is in support of an operational unit mission and has been approved by the
commander or his designated representative (step one). Signed Flight Schedule (DA 5484)

(b) The crew understands the mission and possesses situational awareness of all tactical,
technical and administrative mission details. Review with crew

(c) Assigned flight crews have been allocated adequate pre-mission planning time and the
mission is adequately planned to include performance planning, notices to airmen, and
coordination with supported units. 1/3 2/3 Rule

(d) Assigned flight crews are qualified and current for the mission in accordance with this
regulation and the commanders flight crew qualification and selection program per paragraph 4
20, to include ALSE with current inspections, air crew reading file currency, and crew experience
appropriate for the mission. Crew Mix ensure appropriate experience, proficiency, etc

(e) Forecast weather conditions for the mission, including departure, enroute and arrival weather,
meet the requirements of this regulation and local directives. Consider unique JST weather

(f) Flight crews meet unit crew endurance requirements. Fighter Management

(g) Procedures in the commanders risk management program are completed and mitigated to
the lowest level possible. Use Composite Risk Management

(h) Required special mission equipment is operational. ALSE, NVGs, etc

(i) Review ground and/or strip alert mission analyses and risk reduction procedures. Link up, etc

Other Considerations
7 ADDITIONAL CRITICAL ELEMENTS

1) Mission statement.
Who, What, When, Where

2) Flight Modes.
Formation; Low Level; Contour; NOE; Admin Altitude.

3) Flight Route.
Direct; As Required; Specify (Peggy Sue, Stumpy,etc.)

4) Weather Minimums/Abort Criteria.

Set limits as necessary to give crew clear guidance for
wx/abort.

Other Considerations (cont)

7 ADDITIONAL CRITICAL ELEMENTS -- Cont.
5) Refuel/Rearm Location.
As Required; Specify.
6) Mission Restrictions.
None; Specify (Crew Endurance, Type Formation,
Deviations, etc.)
7) Safety Considerations.
List as necessary (Wires, Winds, Turbulence, Air
Traffic, etc.)

SPECIAL EMPHASIS ITEMS

IIMC PLAN FOR MARGINAL WEATHER
Recovery Airfield/Approach Plate
Formation Breakup

HIGH VISIBILITY/VIP MISSIONS

Pre-plan & Brief the day prior (if desired).
Hold key elements, like wx, until within
launch window.
No takeoff until pre-mission procedures are
complete.

RISK MANAGEMENT
PROCESS
**EXAMPLE**

IDENTIFY HAZARDS (In Terms of METT-T).

WIRES AT LZ

ASSESS HAZARDS (Type, Size, Location, etc.).

WIRES, 100FT TALL, LOCATED ON NORTH AND EAST SIDES

DEVELOP CONTROLS & MAKE RISK DECISION

APPROACH FROM SOUTH, DEPART TO WEST,
OR VICE-VERSA DEPENDING ON CURRENT CONDITIONS.

IMPLEMENT CONTROLS
MAKE LZ SKETCH AND MARK MAPS, USE NVS AND NVG.

SUPERVISE & EVALUATE

BRIEF CREWS.
FLY TRAIL
TRANSMIT FURTHER INSTRUCTI0NS BY RADIO IF REQUIRED.

Mission Briefing Checklist

DA Form 5484-R
MISSION SCHEDULE/BRIEF

For use of the form, see AR 95-1; the proponent agency is DCSOPS
DA TE*

A C#*

PC*

PI*

CREWMEMBERS*

FLIGHT*
COND

MISSION*

ETD /*
ETE

INITIALS
PC

RA V *

MS*

REMARKS

BRIEFER

LEGEND
1. DAY
2. NIGHT
3. ND

FLIGHT CONDITION
4. IMC/SIM IMC
5. MULTI A/C
6. TERRAIN FLT

DA FORM 5484-R, FEB 96

MS
MISSION STATUS
CX-CANCELED
MC-MSN COMPLETE
NC-NOT COMPLETE AS BRIEFED; SEE REMARKS
PREV IOUS EDITIONS A RE OBSOLETE

* MANDATORY FOR ALL FLIGHTS

USAPPC V1.00

The Mission Briefing Officer signs the DA Form 5484 with the Residual Risk Value

214 Mission Approval Process

Briefing officers will utilize DA Form 5484.
Copies of the DA Form 5484 will be
retained in unit files with the
corresponding RAW for at least 30 days.

214 Mission Approval Process

Step 3 Final Mission Approval
(3) Final mission approval authority. The chain of command determines if the

level of risk is acceptable for the mission.

The chain of command accepts this risk and is the final approval authority on
all missions.
Commanders in the grade of lieutenant colonel and above will designate final
mission approval authorities in writing and the level of risk mission (low,
moderate, high, extremely high) they are authorized to approve.
Commanders will select final mission approval authorities from the chain of
command based on their maturity, experience, and judgment and will establish
a training and certification program to ensure standardization and
understanding of the mission approval and risk management process.
At a minimum, battalion commanders and above are the final mission approval
authority for moderate-risk missions, brigade commanders or above for highrisk missions, and the first general officer in the chain of command for
extremely high-risk missions.
Approval authorities are based upon levels of command authority and not
rank.
For units lacking these positions, MACOM commanders may adjust them
within these guidelines.

National Guard AASF Chain of Command

National Guard AASF chain of command accepts the risk and is
the final approval authority for missions under their supervision.
The SAAO will designate final mission approval authorities in
writing and the level of risk mission (low, moderate, high,
extremely high) they are authorized to approve.
Supervisory Instructor Pilot, Standardization Officer,
Maintenance Officer, Safety Officer, and the AFTP Supervisor of
Flying ,while performing those duties, are the final mission
approval for Low risk missions.
AASF Commander for Moderate risk missions.
SAAO or above for High risk missions.
The first General Officer in the chain of command for extremely
high risk missions.

Final Mission Approval

Final approval authorities may give verbal, or
electronic approval if necessary with stipulated
limitations.
The briefing officer and final approval authority
may be the same individual when that person
has the appropriate qualification and it is not
practical to obtain separate authorizations; e.g.
during night AFTPs.
Signs the Risk Assessment Worksheet

Risk Assessment Worksheet

Final Approval Authority signs the Risk Assessment Worksheet

REVIEW - Mission Approval Process

WHAT

WHO

HOW

STEP 1

SAAO
Initial Mission
AASF Cdr
Approval
Other

Memo
Flight Schedule
OPORD

STEP 2

Mission
Planning &
Briefing

Briefing
Officer

DA Form 5484
SAAO Form 8

STEP 3

Final Mission
Approval

Chain of
Command

SAAO Form 8

Training and Certification

Upon completion of this training, officers
will sign the appropriate roster indicating
that they understand and will comply with
the enclosed contents.
Selected Officers will be designated in
writing prior to performing assigned duties.
Officers will review annually the contents
of this program and sign the roster.

QUESTIONS???