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(3) To report operational information between commanders and from subordinate to higher
formations.
(4) To notify organizations of impending and actual operations of units engaged in maritime
warfare.
b. Method of Use. MTMS messages are to be used as shown in Table 1-12. Detailed instructions
and the message structures are found in APP 4.
c. Ships Should Receive All Relevant MTMS Messages Before Joining a Force.
Cooperating aircraft should receive the relevant MTMS messages at such a time that the information is
available at the preflight briefing. Sections that are not required or applicable should be omitted. Whenever
possible it is advisable to issue standing MTMS messages covering the total period of operation. Changes
are then only necessary for individual items which change.
1322 RAINFORMS — PURPOSE AND TYPES
a. Purpose. The RAINFORM System consists of standardized message forms and is used for the
following:
(1) To convey operational instructions or intentions from commanders to subordinates.
(2) To pass operational information to tactical commanders at sea.
(3) To report operational information and intelligence between commanders and from subordinates
to higher authorities.
(4) To notify air defense organizations of impending and actual movements of aircraft engaged in
maritime operations.
b. Types. The following types of RAINFORM are used in the reporting system:
FORM GREEN — Task assignments for aircraft operations; notification of planned aircraft movements to appropriate air defense organizations and naval forces.
FORM BROWN — Movement report of own aircraft sorties; notification to air defense authorities.
FORM BROWN DEVIATION — Report of any deviation from FORM BROWN.
FORM RED (INTREP) — Relay of enemy contact reports issued by controlling authority of task
unit, group, or force commander at sea.
FORM GOLD — Reporting method used to input contacts and enemy contact reports into automatic data processing systems that are not configured to handle FORM RED.
FORM PURPLE — Immediate report of aircraft sortie results (or other task operation results).
FORM BLACK — Periodic summary of enemy activity.
FORM WHITE — Report of own (friendly and neutral) forces.
FORM TAN — Aircraft availability and airfield state.
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Table 1-12. MTMS Messages – Use
TYPE OF
INFORMATION
ADDRESSEES
OPGEN
General Policy and
detailed instructions
for retained responsibility
All TF/TG units, cooperating TF/TG commanders,
appropriate shore authorities
OTC
As Required
OPTASK AAW
Detailed AAW instructions
All TF/TG units, appropriate shore-based
authorities, cooperating
force commanders and
units, including adjacent
TF/TG commanders
OTC/AAWC/
SOC/CRC
As Required
OPTASK ASW
Detailed ASW instructions
All units in force, cooperating force commanders
and units
OTC/ASWC
As Required
OPTASK ASUW
Detailed ASUW instructions
All units in force, cooperating force commanders
and units
OTC/ASUWC
As Required
OPTASK AIR
Detailed tasking and
instructions for organic aircraft
All units in force, cooperating force commanders
and units, including shore
authorities if required
OTC/HEC/
AREC/Air
Coordinator
If required by
2000Z daily
OPTASK EW
Detailed tasking and
EW instructions
All units in force and participating shore-based
commands or units
OTC/EWC
As Required
OPTASK COMMS
Promulgation of
Comm Plan and related instructions
All units in force, cooperating force commanders
and units
OTC/delegated
commander
As Required
OPTASK LINK
Detailed tasking and
instructions for link
operations
All units in force, cooperating force commanders
and units
OTC/delegated
authority or appropriate shore
command or
designated unit
Presailing and
As Required
OPTASK AMPHIB
Promulgate essential
instructions and information to conduct
amphibious operations
Amphibious task force,
landing force, and support
forces
CCATF/CATF
As Required
no later than
72 hours preceding
amphibious operations
MESSAGE
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Table 1-12. MTMS Messages – Use (Cont.)
MESSAGE
TYPE OF
INFORMATION
ADDRESSEES
ORIGINATOR
OCCASION
OPTASK MINE
WARFARE
Detailed instructions
for lead-through
minelaying and MCM
operations
OTC covering forces,
OTC naval forces, convoy
commodore, units in
TF/TG/convoy as appropriate
OTC of MCM
or minelaying
force
As Required
OPTASK RAS
Promulgate replenishment program
All units involved
OTC/delegated
authority
As Required
OPSTAT UNIT
Promulgate operational and
administrative information
OTC/appropriate commanders
Unit
Presailing, on
joining, and as
changes occur
OPSTAT RAS
REQ
Signal RAS requirements
Supplying ships or OTC
Units
As Required
OPSTAT CARGO
Signal remaining
cargo
OTC/URG commander
Supply Ships
On completion
of RAS
OPSTAT DAMAGE
Signal information regarding damage
sustained
OTC/appropriate authorities
Unit or appropriate
commander
As Required
(NC) (NMM)
Waterspace Allocation and Status
Promulgate
waterspace allocation
and status information required for
coordination and
deconfliction of
friendly ASW and
submarine operations
Area/subarea commanders
(surface/air), OTC, ASWC,
SOCA, convoy commodore, and maritime air units
as appropriate
SUBOPAUTH
At least every
24 hours and
as required.
Serialized
amendments
to this daily
message can
be issued;
however, each
amendment
must list all
previous
amendments.
A new “daily”
message
should be issued any time
that potential
for confusion
exists.
(NC) (NMM) Support Submarine
Force Summary
Tailored tactical and
coordinating information for SUBOPAUTH
and support
submarines
SUBOPAUTH, support
submarines, others (as required
OTC/SOCA
Daily or as Required
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c. Message Formats. RAINFORM message formats, with examples, are in APP 4.
1323 TACTICAL DATA LINK SYSTEMS
Tactical data links can be used by the OTC to make real-time amendments to tactical instructions,
command and control arrangements, and threat warning levels. These systems have an inherent capability
for exercising tactical coordination using contact reporting messages, weapons and platform status
messages, and command messages. Amplifying information can be found in ADatP 11 and ADatP 16.
1324 — 1329 SPARE
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