Operational Art of War 2 Hints: ------ Attack helicopters should be used in four cases: to screen or anchor exposed flanks, as airborne reconnaissance units, as escorts for transport helicopters, and to engage enemy armor from long range. Remember that from the 1970s and on, most western armies have been equipped with advanced night-fighting capabilities. As a result, western armies, in particular the United States and its NATO allies, are much better at conducting round-the-clock operations than eastern armies.