text: Chapter 10
  (cid:122) Cover.
  (cid:122) Concealment.
  (cid:122) Goodlinesofcommunicationandlogistics.
  (cid:122) Easeoflinkupwithotherforceswhenappropriate.
  KeyTerrain
  10-27. Keyterrain is mission-dependent; however, in air assault operations key terrain is not limited to
  thatwhichinfluencesthegroundtacticalplan.Itmustbeanalyzedintermsofthefollowingactions:
  (cid:122) Pickupzonesorlandingzones.
  (cid:122) Flightroutes.
  (cid:122) Attackweaponsteamandscoutweaponsteambattlepositions.
  (cid:122) Occupationbyenemyairdefenseartilleryassets.
  (cid:122) Potentialforwardarmingandresupplypoints.
  (cid:122) Groundattackpositions.
  Obstacles
  10-28. Obstacles are any natural or man-made obstruction designed or employed to disrupt, fix, turn, or
  block the movement of an opposing force, and to impose additional losses in personnel, time, and
  equipment on the opposing force (JP 3-15). While most obstacles can be bypassed by air assault forces,
  obstaclesthataffectthegroundtacticalplan mustbeconsidered.
  CoverandConcealment
  10-29. Cover is protection from the effects of fires (ADRP 1-02). Concealment is the protection from
  observation or surveillance (ADRP 1-02). Cover and concealment considerations which affect the ground
  tacticalplaninclude(cid:650)
  (cid:122) Terrainmaskingfornap-of-the-earthflightroutesandinsertions.
  (cid:122) Coverforattackweaponsteamandscoutweaponsteampositions.
  (cid:122) LandingzonesthatofferInfantrycoverandconcealmentfollowinginsertion.
  Weather
  10-30. Weather and visibilityinformationisanalyzedfor trends.(Seefigure 10-2.)Ifthe operationbegins
  in marginal weather, the commander must consider the possibility that it deteriorates below acceptable
  limits during the operation. This may result in interrupting helicopter support and requiring changes in
  plannedoperations.Considerationsinclude(cid:650)
  (cid:122) Fog,lowclouds,heavyrain,andotherfactorsthatlimitvisibilityforaviators.
  (cid:122) Illuminationandmoonangleduringaviationoperationswithnightvisiongoggles.
  (cid:122) Ice and sleet, and freezing rain that degrades aerodynamic efficiency, and impact the ground
  tacticalplan.
  (cid:122) High temperatures or density altitudes that degrade aircraft engine performance and lift
  capability.
  (cid:122) Darkness,normallyanadvantagetowell-trainedaviatorsandSoldiers.
  (cid:122) Highwinds(large-gustspreads).
  (cid:122) Weatherconditionsthatcreatehazardsonpickupzonesandlandingzones,suchasblowingdust,
  sand,orsnow.