What is a reason to contact the Commanding Officer (CO) during operations?

Contacting the Commanding Officer during operations is critical for maintaining safety and effective command. Each of the scenarios presented highlights significant reasons to alert the CO.

When communication systems fail, the inability to establish communications poses risks, as maintaining contact with the CO is essential for coordinating actions and sharing critical information. This scenario indicates a breakdown in the command and control structure.

Unexpected weather changes can dramatically affect operational conditions and safety. Such changes may require a shift in mission parameters, necessitating the CO's awareness and potential decision-making regarding alterations in plans or courses of action.

Accidents or personnel injuries are serious incidents that require immediate escalation to the CO for proper response coordination, potential medical evacuation, or reassessment of mission objectives and resources.

In summary, all these situations—communication failure, unexpected weather changes, and incidents resulting in injury—represent circumstances that warrant contacting the CO for guidance, support, and to ensure that the operational integrity is maintained.