Thoughts on the application of ground anti-hijacking decision-making and imminent aircraft deployment

[Abstract] The decision-making in ground anti-hijacking operations is highly risky and challenging. Facing complex and difficult on-site situations, commanders must make scientific decisions and respond calmly within a limited time. As an emergency decision-making tool to resolve crises, on-the-spot decision-making plays a crucial role in crisis management. Actively exploring the application methods of on-the-spot decision-making and striving to enhance the commanders' capability in this area provide strong intellectual support for winning ground anti-hijacking operations.

【Keywords】Ground Anti-Hijacking | On-the-Spot Decision Making | Emergency Command | Reflection

Improvisational decision-making refers to the decision-making method where, in the face of sudden emergencies and when existing plans cannot ensure the achievement of expected objectives, the commander comprehensively and objectively analyzes the battlefield situation, adjusts deployments in a timely manner based on past combat experiences, and creatively applies new tactics and strategies to effectively resolve crises. Ground anti-hijacking operations are characterized by high decision-making risks and significant difficulty. The scientific and rational application of improvisational decision-making provides commanders with a winning tool and strategic support to effectively resolve crises and successfully complete ground anti-hijacking combat missions.

1. Analysis of the Requirements for the Application of On-the-Spot Decision-Making in Ground-Based Anti-Hijacking Operations

The hijacking incident occurred suddenly, with strong destructive power, wide-ranging impact, and significant difficulty in handling. As an emergency decision-making tool used in urgent situations, on-the-spot decision-making provides strong strategic guidance for dealing with unexpected situations encountered in anti-hijacking operations. Analyzing the application needs of on-the-spot decision-making in ground anti-hijacking efforts, and then specifically addressing the institutional obstacles encountered during the application process, ensures proficiency and effectiveness in practical application.

Focusing on the practical needs of responding to hijacking incidents.

Hijacking incidents occur suddenly and are difficult to predict, with the location, timing, and scope of impact being unknown. Commanders find it challenging to gather sufficient valuable intelligence in a short period, making it difficult to make scientifically accurate decisions. Therefore, it is particularly urgent to research and explore rapid and efficient decision-making methods in complex and urgent situations. Analysis of past hijacking incidents shows that hijackers often have a high level of vigilance, using on-the-spot decision-making to break through the conventional practice of "acting according to plan," which is deceptive and confusing. This makes it difficult for hijackers to discern our true operational intentions, which is more conducive to shaping the battlefield situation and restraining the opponent's actions.

(2) The objective need to enrich and optimize decision-making methods.

Compared to conventional decision-making methods, on-the-spot decision-making is more applicable and targeted in responding to emergencies, playing an irreplaceable and crucial role in crisis decision-making. Handling ground hijacking incidents is urgent and complex, involving multiple forces, which can easily lead to multiple command nodes, difficulties in coordination, and independent actions. This can result in unclear responsibilities, undefined divisions of labor, and poor coordination, thereby affecting command decisions and the effectiveness of the response. Strengthening the research on the application of on-the-spot decision-making, optimizing and improving decision-making methods under emergency conditions, and continuously promoting the innovation and development of command decision-making around the operational adversary, operational environment, and operational design, can effectively enhance the practical capabilities of ground anti-hijacking operations.

(3) The Inevitable Need to Improve and Perfect the Emergency Mechanism

Improvised decision-making is a prepared decision-making activity, not a spontaneous or random decision by the commander. Therefore, it is essential to continuously improve and perfect the emergency mechanisms to provide a reliable and robust decision-making environment for the commander. Firstly, it is necessary to enhance and perfect the emergency response mechanism. This involves designing and optimizing the emergency response process comprehensively, from start to finish, by increasing investment in information monitoring equipment, improving the warning and alert systems, and utilizing big data technology for information classification and processing, thereby significantly enhancing situational awareness during operations. Secondly, it is crucial to improve and perfect the plan support mechanism. Efforts should be made to strengthen the revision and improvement of plans, continuously integrating the latest achievements in tactical innovation and technological equipment upgrades, effectively enhancing the capability to conduct anti-hijacking operations under intelligent conditions.

2. Key Points to Grasp in the Application of On-the-Spot Decision-Making for Ground-Based Anti-Hijacking

When commanders employ on-the-spot decision-making, they must focus on aspects such as timing, methods, and limits to ensure both scientific rigor and rationality, thereby reducing decision risks and providing strategic support and action basis for achieving operational objectives.

(1) Appropriately grasp the timing of ad hoc decision-making.

Hijackers usually employ strict disguises and precautions, leaving few opportunities and short timeframes for lapses in security. Therefore, it is crucial to judiciously utilize the timing of on-the-spot decision-making. Firstly, when existing plans are insufficient to achieve the desired objectives, commanders must adapt flexibly based on the on-site situation, adjusting strategies as necessary, and must not rigidly adhere to the script or engage in armchair strategizing. Secondly, when significant changes occur on the ground, commanders must assess the situation and quickly adjust their deployment according to the evolving circumstances, promptly altering combat strategies to seize the initiative and prevent passive situations. Thirdly, when the situation on the ground is unfavorable to us, commanders should objectively analyze the complex passive situation, calmly judge, and make timely decisions. They can employ tactics such as "feinting to the east and attacking in the west" to divert the hijackers' attention, seize favorable opportunities, and take decisive action.

(2) Scientifically Grasp the Application Methods of On-the-Spot Decision Making

Firstly, utilize the "situational awareness" mindset to seize advantageous opportunities. "Situational awareness" involves assessing the overall battlefield situation, calmly observing, and objectively analyzing and comprehensively judging the scenario. When favorable opportunities arise, commanders must make prompt and decisive decisions. Commanders should have a thorough understanding of the on-site situation, make scientific decisions based on the current battlefield posture, and handle situations efficiently. Secondly, skillfully employ the "strategic planning" mindset to shape the battlefield posture. "Strategic planning" refers to altering the balance of advantages and disadvantages between the enemy and ourselves through meticulous planning and layout, reversing passive situations, and ensuring that the battlefield posture always favors our actions. During operations, commanders should flexibly apply tactical methods based on the on-site situation, actively create favorable opportunities, and make timely decisions as needed. Thirdly, flexibly use the "momentum riding" mindset to adapt to changing circumstances. In action, commanders should grasp the battlefield trends, ride the momentum, guide the situation accordingly, and swiftly adopt action strategies based on the favorable battlefield posture.

(3) Accurately grasp the limits of applying on-the-spot decision-making.

The first point is to avoid over-reliance on impromptu decision-making. Impromptu decisions are emergency strategies taken in urgent situations. Ground anti-hijacking operations involve high decision-making risks and have a wide range of impacts. Actions must follow the characteristics and rules of anti-hijacking combat to ensure that any decision is well-founded and based on evidence, always ensuring accurate judgment and scientific decision-making. The second point is to make "impromptu" decisions rather than "random" decisions. Any decision should be the result of careful consideration and comprehensive analysis by the commander. In ground anti-hijacking operations, the cabin space is confined and narrow, the aircraft structure is complex and unique, hostages and hijackers are mixed and difficult to distinguish, and the psychological and emotional state of hijackers can fluctuate and change over time. The evolution of the on-site situation is difficult to predict. When commanders implement impromptu decisions, they must fully anticipate and consider the development and changes of the situation, ensuring comprehensive consideration and efficient decision-making.

III. Recommendations for On-the-Spot Decision-Making in Ground-Based Anti-Hijacking Operations

The key to applying situational decision-making lies in the commander's ability to perceive and judge the battlefield situation, as well as the capacity to adjust strategies promptly in response to the ever-changing battlefield conditions. Commanders should focus on cultivating and enhancing their comprehensive abilities, ensuring that their decision-making truly transitions from "experience-based decisions" to "optimal decisions."

(1) Focus on the construction of command information, and strive to enhance situational awareness.

In anti-hijacking operations, timely, accurate, and comprehensive intelligence information is the prerequisite and guarantee for commanders to make decisions. The "information capability" constrains the generation of "decision-making capability," thereby affecting the formation of "victory capability." During operations, commanders should flexibly use information-based reconnaissance methods to comprehensively and thoroughly obtain on-site intelligence based on preliminary intelligence provided by superiors and neighboring units. Firstly, broaden the channels for intelligence acquisition and improve the joint intelligence sharing mechanism. Strengthen intelligence information exchange and cooperation with surrounding airports, civil aviation units, etc., to timely grasp early warning information, and organize comprehensive analysis of intelligence clues at appropriate times, continuously enhancing wartime early warning and perception capabilities. Secondly, optimize and improve the combat command system, and strengthen data support and guarantee capabilities. Build a powerful command information network, effectively leverage the significant advantages of new technologies such as artificial intelligence in screening, classifying, and analyzing combat data, and promote the leap in computing power through algorithm optimization, continuously improving the processing efficiency of command information.

（二）紧扣战法训法创新，准确把握制胜规律

反劫机战斗各个阶段和时节敌情变化快、突发情况多，只有料敌于先，灵活运用战法手段，捕捉有利战机，敢于临机决断，才能有效应对复杂多变的现场态势，确保处置行动稳妥高效。聚焦智能化无人化作战的新样式，不断加强新质新域作战力量建设，研究探索反劫机作战制胜规律，以战训法创新发展不断推动反劫机作战力量优化升级。一要丰富完善反劫机战法库，加快智能化无人化作战装备研发运用，根据不同作战场景创新设计战法打法，结合地面反劫机联演联训进行检验和论证，提高战法运用的科学性。二是坚持反劫机训法创新，围绕任务牵引不断推动反劫机中队《军事训练大纲》滚动更新，优化训练结构，创新训练方法，运用增强现实作战头盔辅助特战队员熟悉各机型舱门的作战环境，减少突击行动时的盲动陌生。

(3) Utilize technological means to empower and scientifically assess decision-making risks.

Ground anti-hijacking operations involve high-level decision-making, multiple participating forces, and significant operational risks, which impose higher standards and requirements on commanders' decision-making. Commanders should utilize on-the-spot decision-making to comprehensively grasp and reduce decision risks. By leveraging technology, it is possible to predict and assess decision risks, thereby effectively lowering decision risks and minimizing decision errors. The application of big data technology can process and integrate vast amounts of real combat cases and data, significantly reducing manual processing time, and providing commanders with quick access to critical information, comprehensive situation analysis, and efficient decision-making support and basis. Each stage of ground anti-hijacking combat presents different risks, and if commanders delay or hesitate in their decision-making, they may easily miss critical opportunities. With the support of artificial intelligence technology, using military models to simulate key action stages and analyze and predict the possible outcomes of decisions can maximize the reduction of decision errors, avoid decision risks, and ensure the successful completion of combat missions.

（四）围绕培养模式优化，建强指挥人才队伍

The first is to explore new models of innovative joint training. Focusing on the innovative development of new domains and capabilities in ground anti-hijacking operations, we actively explore joint education and training models. We organize specialized seminars on ground anti-hijacking, inviting experts and scholars from airports, civil aviation, and air marshals to provide on-site instruction. This enhances learning exchanges and technical cooperation in areas such as the development of anti-hijacking equipment technology and the design of operational scenarios.