What does situational awareness refer to in a tactical operation?

Situational awareness in a tactical operation refers to the understanding of the environment in which operations are taking place, as well as the identification of potential threats that may arise. This encompasses not just awareness of the physical environment—such as terrain, weather conditions, and the presence of obstacles—but also an understanding of the actions and behaviors of both friendly and adversarial forces.

Effective situational awareness allows a crew to make informed decisions, anticipate challenges, and respond rapidly to changing conditions, which is crucial in high-pressure scenarios. It involves ongoing assessment and integration of information from multiple sources to create a comprehensive picture of the operational landscape. This understanding helps teams maintain an advantage over potential threats and to execute their missions safely and effectively.

While effective communication, rules of engagement, and vessel operation are all important aspects of tactical operations, they are not synonymous with situational awareness. The essence of situational awareness lies in the holistic perception of one's operational context and the dynamic nature of that context as it evolves during the mission.