Air defense warning conditions (ADW)

Air defence warning conditions (ADW) are used to posture units based on the assessed threat of aerial attack. They provide a scalable readiness framework aligned to current air threats.

ADW Levels:

• ADW Red: Hostile aircraft or missile attack is imminent or in progress.
• ADW Yellow: Hostile aircraft or missile attack is probable.
• ADW White: Hostile aircraft or missile attack is improbable.

Subordinate leaders may increase the ADW level within their assigned area if local conditions warrant it. However, they may not reduce it below the general ADW established by higher command.

For example, if a platoon establishes ADW Yellow for the AO and a squad observes a hostile UAV loitering, the squad leader may elevate to ADW Red. Once the threat is mitigated, the squad may return to ADW Yellow, but may not reduce to ADW White unless the higher-level ADW changes.