How do combat pilots identify friendly vs enemy ground forces? Infantry seems like it would be almost impossible to discern.

Question

How do combat pilots identify friendly vs enemy ground forces? Infantry seems like it would be almost impossible to discern.

In: Other

Answer 1

I’m a former JTAC-I (Joint Terminal Attack Controller – Instructor) and AH-1W Cobra pilot. It basically comes down to the controller telling the pilot where the nearest friendly forces are relative to the target, giving the pilot appropriate restrictions in order to avoid accidentally targeting friendlies, and then monitoring the attack to ensure it goes according to plan. Only in certain instances, such as at night, will friendlies be deliberately marked. Most of the time we prefer to only mark the target that is being struck.