text: Chapter 2
  notmorethan a companyat BCT levelor a platoonatbattalionlevel. However, their smallsize isdictated
  by tactical considerations and assigned missions. Commanders should organize, task, and position the
  reserve,ensuringthat—
  (cid:122) Thesizeofthereserveiscompatiblewithlikelymissions.
  (cid:122) Thereservecomesfromtheunitwiththefewestprioritytasks.
  (cid:122) Thereserveisnotassignedassaultobjectivesoranareaoftheairheadtodefend.
  (cid:122) Thereserveispositionedinanareathatallowsforquickemployment.
  (cid:122) Thereserveismobile.(Thiscanbeachievedusingorganicvehicles(suchas,weaponscompany,
  forwardsupportcompany,orifaugmentedwithArmoredorStrykerforces.)
  (cid:122) Thereserveislocatedinanassemblyarea,bothinitialandsubsequentassemblyareas,or a battle
  position,sothatitdoesnotinterferewithunitsassignedassaultobjectives.
  (cid:122) Thereserveisnearlinesofcommunicationin a coveredandconcealedlocationtoprovideease
  ofmovement,toreinforce,ortoblock.
  (cid:122) Thereserveislocatedwithinthe areaofoneunit,ifpossible.
  (cid:122) Thereserve’slocationallowsfordispersionoftheforce.
  SECTION II – AIRBORNE ASSAULT FORCE CONSIDERATIONS
  2-15. The ABNAF can be part of a larger unit, or it can be comprised solely of the initial assault force,
  preparingthe wayfor deployment of a follow-on force.Thissectiondiscusses assault force considerations
  forformationandsupport.
  ASSAULT FORCE FORMATION
  2-16. The ABNAF is formed early in the planning stage by a directing or establishing headquarters that
  allocates units and defines authorityand responsibilitybydesignating command and support relationships.
  Predesignatedandwell-understoodcommandandsupportrelationshipsinclude(cid:650)
  (cid:122) A task organization that provides a mission-specific balance of maneuver, combat power, and
  endurancetoseizeandprotecttheairheadorlodgment.
  (cid:122) Unit tactical integrity that is maintained when developing load plans and cross loading key
  leadership, crew-served weapons and equipment followed by all other personnel to ensure unit
  integrityuponinsertionintothedropzoneandassemble.
  (cid:122) A sustainmentcapabilitytosupport a rapidtempountilfollow-onorlinkup forcesarrive,or until
  themissioniscompleted.
  JOINT AND ARMY CONTROL TEAMS
  2-17. Terminal guidance aids and control measures are used on the ground in the objective area to assist
  and guide incoming airlift aircraft to the designated drop zones or landing zones. Combat control teams
  comprised of USAF personnel are organized, trained, and equipped to provide aircraft terminal guidance.
  Armyteams from the long-range surveillance company(LRSC), a divisional or corps asset, are organized,
  trained, and equipped to deploy into the objective area and conduct reconnaissance and surveillance tasks
  beforethedeploymentoftheairborneforce.
  COMBATCONTROLTEAM
  2-18. The combat control team is a small task-organized team of USAF parachute and combat diver
  qualified personnel. The combat control team’s mission is to establish assault zones (drop zones and
  landingzones) inaustereandnon-permissive environments. The missionincludesinitiallyplacingenroute
  and terminal navigational aids; controlling air traffic; providing communications; and removing obstacles
  and unexploded ordnance with demolitions. Combat control teams provide command and control,
  reconnaissance and surveillance, and limited weather observations. (Refer to JP 3-17 for more
  information.)