text: Chapter 2
  INFANTRYBRIGADECOMBATTEAM
  2-4. As the assault requires an ABN IBCT, the BCT commander leads the assault force and the parent
  Army headquarters (normally a division but could be a corps headquarters) provides the ABNTFC. This
  ensures that the commander fighting the ground tactical plan can give his full attention to the fight in the
  airhead and not be consumed with managing en route follow-on forces and support. Although the size and
  compositionofthe ABNAFvariesaccordingto the mission,theABNAF istypicallyanABNIBCT thatis
  scalableandtailoredwithadditionalcapabilitiesandforcesasdeterminedbytheABNTFC.
  INFANTRYBATTALION
  2-5. For control, the airborne Infantry battalion usually is reinforced for the airborne assault and is
  organized into a task force. This is especially true if battalions land in widely separated drop zones or
  landing zones. A battalion task force usuallycomprises an airborne Infantrybattalion with reinforcements
  based onthe IBCT commander’s estimate for the airborne assault. Follow-on echelon— those additional
  forces moved into the objective area after the assault echelon. Follow-on echelon reinforcements may
  include more Infantry, Armored, Stryker, cavalry, antitank, engineer, dedicated artillery, and other units or
  detachments neededtoexpandthe lodgment. AsintheIBCT,attachmentstothe taskforcefortheairborne
  assault are made early in the planning phase. They can be withdrawn as soon as the ground situation
  stabilizes.
  INFANTRYRIFLEUNITS
  2-6. Airborne Infantry rifle companies and platoons can be reinforced for the airborne assault according
  to the usual considerations governing a ground attack. Attachments are made before the move to, or on
  arrivalin,themarshallingbase.
  CAVALRY SQUADRON
  2-7. The cavalry squadron of the airborne IBCT, assigned to perform reconnaissance and security
  missions within the assault phase, usually is reinforced for the airborne assault into a task force. After the
  ABNAF makes the initial assault landing into the objective area and consolidates the initial airhead, the
  commander organizes the airhead line, confirms reconnaissance and securityplans, and task-organizes the
  cavalrysquadronforoperationsinthesecurityarea.
  ECHELON EMPLOYMENT
  2-8. After the task organizationof units or Soldiers for the airborne assault or landing is announced, units
  organize into assault, follow-on, and rear echelons. The airborne IBCT as the ABNAF, employs organic
  forcesandotherattachedunitsassigned forthe missionover threeechelons:theassaultechelon,thefollow-
  on echelon, and the rear echelon. Elements of the higher headquarters ABNAF are employed throughout
  thethreeechelonsasdirectedbytheABNAFC.
  ASSAULTECHELON
  2-9. The assault echelon (airborne assault) referred to as the Alpha Echelon, is the initial entry force. It is
  part oftheABNAFthatconductstheparachuteassault onanunsecured dropzonetoseizethelodgment or
  initial assaultobjectives. The airborne assault echelon is composed of those forces required to conductthe
  parachute assault to seize assault objectivesand establish the initial airhead, and ifappropriate, prepare an
  airfield to receive follow-on echelons. This echelon is deployed with sufficient supplies to sustain
  operations for 72 hours. It includes the assault command post of the ABNTF headquarters providing joint
  interoperability.
  FOLLOW-ONECHELON
  2-10. The follow-on echelon comprises two elements. Referred to as the Bravo Echelon and the Charlie
  Echelon,theseelementsaretheairlandportionoftheABNAF.