Which allows indirect fires to occur in a target area while keeping aircraft reasonably safe from those surface fires?

• A. ACA
• B. FSCL
• C. Free Fire Area
• D. Kill Box

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is coordinating airspace to harmonize ground indirect fires with air operations. An Airspace Coordinating Measure designates how airspace will be managed in and around a target area to allow fires from ground forces while keeping aircraft safe. By setting up established airspace rules, timing, and altitude restrictions, indirect fires can be delivered into the target area without exposing aircraft to danger from surface fires. This makes it the best fit for letting artillery or mortars strike a target while ensuring aircraft have safe routes and deconflicted airspace.

Free Fire Areas would risk aircraft safety by allowing fires with little coordination. Kill Boxes focus on enabling aircrews to operate in a defined volume but don’t inherently provide the structured deconfliction between ground fires and aircraft. Fire Support Coordination Lines manage coordination boundaries, but they don’t specifically provide the integrated airspace safety and permissive environment that an ACA offers.