text: Chapter 10
  SECTION IV – EXECUTION
  10-61. An AATF is normally a highly tailored force specifically designed to hit hard and fast and is
  employed in situations that provide the task force a calculated advantage due to surprise, terrain, threat, or
  mobility.Thefollowingemploymentconsiderationsgoverntheexecutionoftheairassaultoperations.
  CONDUCT OF THE AIR ASSAULT
  10-62. The AATF normally should be assigned only missions that take advantage of its superior mobility
  and should not be employed in roles requiring deliberate operations over an extended period. The basic
  principlesthatapplytotheconductofairassaultoperationsinclude(cid:650)
  (cid:122) Airassaultforcesalwaysfightas a combinedarmsteam.
  (cid:122) Availabilityofcriticalaviationassetsis a majorfactorinanoperation.
  (cid:122) Airassaultplanningmustbecentralizedandprecise;executionmustbeaggressiveanddecentralized.
  (cid:122) Air assault operations may be conducted at night or during adverse weather, but require more
  planningandpreparationtimeinthosecases.
  (cid:122) Assault force tactical integrity must be maintained throughout an air assault. Squads are loaded
  intact on the same helicopter, with platoons located in the same serial ensures fighting unit
  integrityuponlanding.
  (cid:122) Fires must provide for suppressive fires along flight routes and near landing zones. Priority for
  firesmustbetothesuppressionofenemyairdefenses.
  (cid:122) Infantry operations are not fundamentally changed by integrating aviation units with Infantry;
  tempoanddistancearechangeddramatically.
  (cid:122) Anairassaultoperationmaybethedecisiveoperation;examplesinclude river crossings, seizure
  ofkeyterrain,raids,andsecurityareaactions.
  (cid:122) An AATF is employed most effectivelyin environments where limited lines of communication
  areavailabletotheenemy,wherehelacksairsuperiorityandeffectiveairdefensesystems.
  BUILDUP OF COMBAT POWER
  10-63. The availability of aviation assets is normally the major factor in determining AATF task
  organization.The AATF mustprovide a mission-specific balance of mobilityand combat power to include
  sustainment of combat power. Considerations for rapid massing and shifting of combat power during the
  conductofanairassaultinclude(cid:650)
  (cid:122) Delivery to the objective area as soon as possible, consistent with aircraft and pickup zone
  capacities,toprovidesurpriseandshockeffect.
  (cid:122) Arrival intact at the landing zone with assault force tailored to provide en route security and
  protectionfromthepickupzone,throughouttheentireflightroute,andatthelandingzone.
  (cid:122) Nonstandard command relationship, attached for movement, used extensively during air assault
  operations. Elements, to include field artillery, air defense artillery, intelligence, and engineer
  may be attached to maneuver elements for movement only, to facilitate mission command,
  maneuver,andsecurity.
  (cid:122) Task-organized with sufficient combat power to seize initial objectives and protect landing
  zones,and with sufficientsustainment forrapidtempountilfollow-onor linkup forces arrive, or
  untilthemissioniscompleted.