A. Bandit Communications Check: Prior to each air mobile operation a communications check is made by each aircraft on all three company frequencies. The purpose of this check is to insure that all aircraft have functional radios and also lets the platoon commander know that each aircraft is ready for takeoff. The check is started by the platoon commander as follows: (Bandits this is Bandit 36, communications check VHF). Each aircraft commander in numerical order according to his position in the formation calls his number. The same check is made on UHF and FM.

B. Landing Procedure When Escorting Slicks: When going into a landing zone following a flight of slicks, unless specific instructions are given, Bandit will land as follows: The armed ships on the inside of the landing turn will make one 360 degree standard orbit. The armed ships on the outside of the landing turn will trail the slicks directly in to land. the inside ships, after the 360 degree orbit will follow the other side in to land. (See figure 9).

C. Flashing Bright Position Lights: These will be on at night anytime the aircraft is on the ground and the main rotor blade is untied. This aids in preventing someone from walking into or driving a vehicle into a loose or moving rotor blade.

D. Rotating Beacons: These will always be on when Bandits are airborne. this makes identification of each other much easier.

E. Numbering of Aircraft in the Bandit Platoon: aircraft are numbered according to the section they are assigned. Aircraft in the 1st Section are numbered 1 - 3 - 5 - 7. Aircraft in the 2nd Section are numbered 2 - 4 - 6 - 8. Numbers are placed on the tail boom on the platoon color background.

F. Call Signs of Personnel in the Platoon: The Platoon commander is Bandit 36. The 1st Section Leader is Bandit 31. The 2nd Section Leader is Bandit 32. Members of the first section are given odd number in the thirty series (33 - 35 - 37 - 39). Members of the second section are given even numbers in the thirty series (30 - 34 - 36 - 38).

G. Aircraft Starting Procedure: All elements will start immediately after the platoon or flight commander.

H. Picking up slicks as they depart the landing zone: The armed ship on each side that is in position will assume the lead position on each side, regardless of his previous position. this allows for minimum ground time for the slicks in the landing zone, ie. they may depart at any time after discharging their cargo and the armed ships will be in position to cover them. (See Figure 11).

I. Initiative of Wingman in Marking and Identifying Targets: On recon missions, especially over jungle terrain, it is a very difficult to relocate a target one it is by-passed. To aid in keeping a target or other feature located when a wingman spots something, he calls that he has spotted something and is breaking left or right to maintain visual contact with it. In this case the fire team leader breaks the same direction and becomes the wingman while it is checked out.

J. Arming Procedures: rockets are not armed from within the cockpit until they are going to be used. The XM-5 (40MM) system is armed prior to take off and the power switch is left off until it is going to be used. The XM-16 system is armed as soon after take off as possible outside of populated or friendly areas. Guns are flexed to make sure the hydraulic system is working. then the system is put in the safe position and left until needed.

K. Dearming Procedures: All rocket and XM-5 switches are off and all circuit breakers are pulled prior to coming into a secure landing area. the XM-16 system is dearmed at the same time by placing the arming switch in the armed position an pulling the XM-16 circuit breakers. This insures that the gun chargers are closed in each. On touch down the crew chief and gunner visually clear each gun and remove the barrels.

L. Rocket Jettison Procedures: To electrically jettison rocket pods the two jettison power circuit breakers which are the two farthest to the right in the back row in the overhead panel must be pushed in. They both should be pushed in prior to every take off. When it is necessary to jettison both pods the co-pilot flips the jettison toggle switch located on the pedestal. If this fails there is a manual release that the crew chief and gunner must pull. It is located just outside each cargo door above the rocket pods.

M. Marking Smoke: for purpose of marking the general location that fire is received, the crew chief and gunner will always have a smoke grenade in their hand when the aircraft is at 1500 feet absolute altitude or below. When fire is received he marks immediately.

N. Clearing Aircraft Prior to Take Off: the crew chief and gunner will clear and call to the pilot before each take off.

O. Crew Member Monitor Radios: Crew Chief and gunners will monitor all primary radio frequencies.

Q. Orbit Position of Slot Aircraft: During Airmobile operations were there is an uneven (Slot) number of armed ships, the slot ship will go to the left side to orbit while slicks are on the ground, unless flight leader directs otherwise.

R. Normal Body Processes: Farts by any member of the crew must be called and "Rogered" by other members of the crew.