1
BY ORDER OF AIR FORCE TACTICS, TECHNIQUES,
THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE AND PROCEDURES 3-42.63
8 FEBRUARY 2012
Tactical Doctrine
SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES
AEROSPACE AND OPERATIONAL PHYSIOLOGY
ACCESSIBILITY: This publication is available on the e-Publishing web site at: http://www.e-
publishing.af.mil
RELEASABILITY: There are no restrictions on the release of this publication
OPR: AFSOC/SGX Certified by: AF/SG3
(Col James D. Collier)
Pages: 18
PURPOSE: The Air Force Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (AFTTP) 3-42 series of
publications is the primary reference for medical combat support capability. This document,
AFTTP 3-42.63, provides tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) for Special Operations Forces
(SOF) Aerospace and Operational Physiology. Ensure that all records created as a result of
processes prescribed in this publication are maintained in accordance with AFMAN 33-363,
Management of Records, and disposed of in accordance with the Air Force Records Disposition
Schedule (RDS) located at https://www.my.af.mil/afrims/afrims/afrims/rims.cfm. Refer
recommended changes and questions about this publication to the Office of Primary
Responsibility (OPR) using the AF IMT 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication. Route
AF IMT 847 through the appropriate chain of command and parent MAJCOM.
APPLICATION: This publication applies to active duty Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air
National Guard personnel on flying status, passengers in certain types of aircraft, and other
personnel who perform high altitude airdrop missions, emergency evacuation hyperbaric stretcher
(EEHS) operations, enhance human operational performance, provide critical aircrew training,
and support mishap prevention and investigation efforts. The doctrine in this document is
authoritative but not directive.
SCOPE: Special operations missions are conducted by specially organized, trained and equipped
military forces to achieve military, political, economic or psychological objectives by
unconventional means in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive areas. The primary mission of the
SOF Aerospace and Operational Physiology Team (AOPT) is to provide in-flight physiological
support IAW AFI 11-409, High Altitude Airdrop Mission Support Program, to aircrews
performing unpressurized airdrop operations at 20,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) and above,
employment and operation of the EEHS and performing human performance (HP) enhancement
and sustainment threat assessments and recommendations. These airdrops could be, but are not
limited to: DoD Special Operations High Altitude Low Opening (HALO)/High Altitude High
Opening (HAHO) personnel and equipment drops, Military Information Support Operations
(MISO-formally PsyOps), equipment testing and research operations, and humanitarian aid
operations.
