The various colors of chemical lights cannot be determined by pilots using night vision goggles. During daylight helicopter operations, obstacles may be difficult to detect or impossible to remove. Wires, holes, stumps, or rocks should be marked with red panels or other clearly identifiable means. During night operations, red chemical lights can be used to mark all obstacles that cannot be removed. The mortar leader must exercise light discipline and not activate more lights than are needed.
Excess lights can cause confusion.
They should be buried or covered securely once they are no longer needed. The mortar platoon must be able to rig and derig all of the common helicopter sling-load carrying devices. The sling sets are similar. Each sling set comes in its own aviator kit bag. Some loads may have more or less than four hookup points.