What action occurs during the "engage" phase?

During the "engage" phase, receiving confirmation from the commanding officer (CO) or tactical action officer (TAO) is a critical step that ensures all necessary approvals and situational awareness are achieved before proceeding with any engagement. This confirmation acts as a crucial organizational control, confirming that the crew is aligned with the tactical strategy and intent of command, thus ensuring decisions are made at the appropriate level based on an accurate understanding of the situation.

In this phase, the focus is on ensuring engagement protocols are followed, and authorization is clearly established to prevent any miscommunication or errors that could lead to unintended consequences. Once this confirmation is received, other actions, such as threat assignments and systems readiness assessments, can proceed under proper authority, ensuring adherence to rules of engagement and the overall mission objectives.