text: Landing Plan
  (cid:122) The speed at whichairplanes carryingparatroopers cross the drop zone affects the length ofthe
  landingpattern.Thegreaterthespeed,the greaterthedistancethatiscoveredbetweentheexitof
  eachparatrooper,thusincreasing thelengthofthelandingpattern.Planes cross the dropzoneas
  slowlyasissafelypossible,andparatroopersexitrapidlytoreducedispersion.
  (cid:122) Asparatroopersdescend,theydriftwiththeprevailingwind,butusuallynotatauniformratefor
  eachparatrooper.Theycanpassthroughstrataofvarying winddirectionandvelocitythatcauses
  somedispersionwithin the force.Duetothe windandhigher altitude,thereis a greatpossibility
  ofdispersion. Therefore,theaircraftcrossthe dropzone atminimumaltitudesthatareconsistent
  withthesafetyofaircraftandparatroopers.
  (cid:122) In parachute landings, the width of the landing pattern of paratroopers and equipment is the
  approximate width of the aircraft formation at the time of the drop. Therefore, keep the
  formation tight as possible to keep paratrooper and equipment together. If possible, place a
  company or battalion in the flight formation so that all planeloads of the force land in a small
  patternascloseaspracticabletotheassemblyarea.
  DropZoneVisibility
  5-98. Darkness, fog, haze, rain, brush, trees, and terrain affect drop zone visibility on the ground, and
  henceimpactonassembly. Darknesscomplicatesassembly—poorvisibilityanddifficultyinidentifyingor
  recognizing assembly areas, control posts, personnel, and equipment. Although it provide concealment,
  darknesscontributestoconfusion,tostragglers,andtothelossofequipment. Anassemblyduringdarkness
  takeslongerandrequiresmoreelaborateassemblyaidsandlargercontrolpoststhanadaylightassembly.
  StateofProficiency
  5-99. One of the most important factors that affect rapid assembly is proficiency. Assault forces must
  conductparachute assaultsand assemble astheywould in combat. For specific missions, previoustraining
  is built on and tailored through detailed briefings to include maps, photos, and terrain models. When
  possible, rehearsals using assembly methods planned for the assault are used. Thorough orientation,
  rigorous training, aggressive leadership, and individual initiative have the single greatest impact on an
  airborneassaultandassembly.
  Enemy
  5-100. Enemy action can have both a direct and indirect effect on assembly. Enemy action indirectly
  affects en route airlift capability to deliver the force to the correct drop zone. It directly affects friendly
  assembly once on the ground. Enemy opposition during or immediately after landing is a critical
  considerationaffectingassemblyduetotheunusualvulnerabilityofthe airborneforcebetweenlandingand
  the completion of assembly or seizure of assault objectives. While the commander should attempt to
  achieve an unopposed landing, every possible provision is made to deal with enemy resistance. This
  requires accurate intelligence, responsive fires, and effective OPSEC and military deception. When
  assembly is on the assault objective, individuals linkup as they move using appropriate movement
  techniquesinaccordancewiththeoperationplan.
  MULTIPLEPOINTSOFIMPACT
  5-101. Aslightlymorecomplicated but moreefficient method to facilitate rapid assemblyofparatroopers,
  container delivery systems, and heavy equipment drop loads is the use of multiple points of impact. The
  theory and methods of cross loading apply as much to this method of delivery as to any other. When the
  USAFdropsparatroopersalongasingletrack(line offlight) downthecenter ofthedropzonetheyuse just
  one personnel and one heavy equipment drop impact point. When conducting multiple points of impact,
  USAFaircraftflymultipletracks acrossthedropzoneanduse multipleimpactpointsonthedrop zone.By
  efficientcross loading, selectingassemblyareas,andcarefullyselecting personnel andequipmentpointsof
  impact,personnel,units, andequipmentcanbedeliveredcloser to assemblyareasthanthe single-track, one
  personnel and one heavy equipment drop point of impact method. (Refer to FM 3-21.38 for more
  information.)