text: Chapter 3
  considerations.) Regardless of how long an organization takes to plan, brief, rehearse, and execute a
  mission, all air assault operations use the following reverse planning sequence:
  * Ground tactical plan.
  * Landing plan.
  * Air movement plan.
  * Loading plan.
  * Staging plan.
  3-126. The steps of the reverse planning sequence are developed collaboratively between the ground force
  and aviation force. The foundation of the operation is the ground tactical plan and is the plan from which
  all others are developed.
  3-127. The ground tactical plan is planned to accomplish the tactical mission, such as establish blocking
  positions, destroy an enemy force or seize key terrain. The scheme of maneuver the ground tactical force
  commander chooses to accomplish his or her mission drives the rest of the planning process to ensure the
  ground force arrives at the right place with the right combat power to achieve surprise and overwhelm the
  enemy force. The AATF is organized with sufficient combat power to seize initial objectives and protect
  LZs. The required combat power should be delivered to the objective area consistent with aircraft and PZ
  capacities to take advantage of surprise and shock effect.
  3-128. When planning loads, squad integrity should be maintained by chalk and platoon integrity by serial
  to reduce C2 and span of control challenges during the landing phase and initiation of the ground tactical
  plan. To perform its mission, an AATF must arrive intact at the LZ. The force must be tailored to provide
  en-route security and protection from the PZ, throughout the entire air route, and at the LZ.
  3-129. The AATF is organized with adequate sustainment to accomplish the mission or until designated
  follow-on or linkup forces arrive. Units that support the air assault operation normally are placed in DS to
  the AATF to ensure close coordination and continuous, dedicated support throughout an operation.
  3-130. Various elements perform specific tasks ensuring the successful execution of an air assault. Attack
  or reconnaissance units using MUM-T conduct reconnaissance, security, and attacks during all phases of
  the operation. Indirect and joint fires. provide fire support to set the conditions in the objective or to
  suppress enemy air defense en route and on the objective before, during, and after the air assault and
  continue to provide supporting fires once the ground tactical force is established on the ground. When
  planning assaults, the AATF commander controls the operation by using air corridors, air routes, primary
  and alternate LZs, engagement areas, attack by fire positions, screen lines, HAs, PLs, TRPs, ACMs, named
  areas of interest, and target areas of interest. To define the AO, the commander may also designate
  subordinate unit boundaries and objectives in the designated AO. These control measures allow for
  decentralized actions and small-unit initiative to the greatest extent possible.
  SECTION VII – AIR MOVEMENT
  3-131. An air movement is the air transport of units, personnel, supplies, and equipment including
  airdrops and air landings (JP 3-17) and is not synonymous with air assault. Air movement operations are a
  viable means of transport and distribution in support of offensive, defensive, stability, and DSCA. Loads
  can be configured internally or externally depending on mission variables, and type aircraft available to
  conduct the air movement operation.
  3-132. Air movement operations are conducted to reposition units, personnel, supplies, equipment, and
  other critical combat elements in support of current and/or future operations. Air movement operations
  allow the ground force commander to control the tempo of operations and meet the enemy force at the time
  and place of choice as he or she sets conditions. Utility and cargo helicopters supplement ground
  transportation to help sustain continuous offensive and defensive operations, and allow the supported
  commander to overcome difficult terrain and time constraints on operations.
  3-133. Assault and GS helicopter units perform air movement on a DS or GS basis. Though air assault
  operations and air movement are separate missions, the planning sequence used for air assault operations