In the CAS Execution Template, which item is the first step?

• A. Routing / Safety of Flight
• B. CAS Aircraft Check-In
• C. Situation Update
• D. Game Plan

Answer: (A)

Routing / Safety of Flight is first because establishing a safe, deconflicted flight path is the foundation for everything that follows. Before you contact aircraft, check-in, or share the map and plan, you must ensure there are no routing conflicts, airspace restrictions, or threats along the ingress and egress routes. Securing a safe route protects the aircrew and ground teams from miscommunication leading to near misses or fratricide, and it sets the stage for accurately coordinating timing, targets, and actions.

Once routing and safety are confirmed, you proceed with CAS Aircraft Check-In to verify radio contact and position, altitude, and flight parameters; then you provide a Situation Update to communicate current conditions, threats, and friendly assets; finally you deliver the Game Plan to outline targets, timing, and procedures for the aircrew. But the critical first step is ensuring the flight path is safe and unambiguous.