Why this matters
Helicopters are the fastest way for an enemy squad to reinforce a fight or run gun passes on your position. A FOB or Control Zone position with no air defense is an open invitation for exactly that.
Steps
- Recognize the threat early. This is a Recon job as much as anything — call enemy aircraft the moment they're spotted, before they're already on top of your position.
- Build anti-air at your FOB once air pressure is confirmed or expected. Confirmed structures include the Talon anti-air launcher and CIWS (Close-In Weapon System), both buildable at a FOB's construction radius.
- Position AA with sky coverage, not buried in terrain that blocks its own field of fire. An AA emplacement needs clear sightlines to actually track and engage aircraft.
- Layer it with infantry anti-air options where available, rather than relying on a single static emplacement as your only air defense.
- Don't neglect ammo resupply. Like other FOB structures, AA emplacements draw on the FOB's Ammo Supplies stock — keep it stocked the same way you would a mortar position.
Common mistakes
- Waiting until a helicopter is already attacking to start building air defense.
- Placing AA where terrain blocks its own field of view.
- Letting a FOB's ammo supply run dry, leaving AA structures unable to actually fire.
- Relying on a single AA point instead of combining it with Recon callouts and infantry anti-air fire.
See also: Building and Supplying a FOB, Role Guide: Pilot (for the other side of this fight), Countering Armor and Aircraft.