Which mission type is indicated by the code OCA?

The mission type indicated by the code OCA is Offensive Counterair. This operation involves actions taken to destroy or neutralize enemy air forces before they can take off or when they are in the air. The objective of OCA is to ensure air superiority by attacking enemy aircraft on the ground and disrupting their ability to conduct operations.

In the context of air operations, OCA missions are crucial for preemptively degrading the enemy's air capabilities. They typically involve strategies like fighter sweeps, where fighter aircraft are dispatched to locate and engage enemy aircraft or facilities, but the broader classification of OCA encompasses various offensive actions beyond just engaging other fighters.

While fighter sweeps are a component of air operations that support OCA, they don't exhaustively define what OCA involves. Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) is aimed at neutralizing surface-to-air threats rather than directly targeting enemy air forces. Escort missions primarily involve protecting friendly aircraft rather than offensive actions aimed at enemy forces. Thus, the correct identification of OCA as Offensive Counterair reflects its role in the overarching strategy of maintaining air dominance through proactive measures against enemy aerial threats.