text: Plans, Organization, Conduct, and Threat
  parachutes do. Some terrain does not allow helicopter landings. In these cases, trained Soldiers rappel or
  fast rope from helicopters while the helicopters hover over the unsuitable landing areas. Personnel can
  insert or withdraw by ladders suspended from hovering helicopters, or extract using special patrol
  insertion-extraction system (SPIES) techniques. Helicopters can also—
  y Rapidly shift or evacuate pathfinders.
  y Carry nonparachutists to support pathfinders.
  y Deliver when rain or low ceilings prohibit parachuting.
  y Rapidly change insertion locations.
  PARACHUTE DELIVERY
  2-19. Parachute delivery by fixed-wing aircraft normally affords greater range and speed of movement
  than landing by helicopter. In a short-distance operation, helicopters can serve as the jump aircraft.
  2-20. Depending on wind conditions, pathfinders should compute their desired parachute RPs before
  arriving over the DZ. For accuracy and security, the pathfinders jump at the lowest practical altitude.
  Aircraft SOPs prescribe jump altitudes and personnel procedures. Such procedures vary in accordance with
  (IAW) peacetime and wartime restrictions.
  2-21. As highly trained parachutists, pathfinders can insert into unimproved and marginal DZs. They
  know how to control the canopy of a maneuverable parachute, and they know how to make emergency
  landings. They also know how to parachute into rough-terrain DZs. These skills give them some flexibility
  in planning parachute delivery.
  CAUTION
  During preparation for the operation, pathfinders carefully arrange and
  pad all essential items of operational equipment into appropriate
  containers. Carrying this equipment with them when they insert
  ensures they have it as soon as they land.
  2-22. The best time to insert by parachute is during nonilluminated, nonsupported night operations that
  emphasize secrecy.
  2-23. Because fixed-wing aircraft need large, secure, obstacle-free landing areas, they seldom deliver
  pathfinders.
  WATER AND LAND DELIVERY
  2-24. Delivering pathfinders by watercraft offers security only up to the point of debarkation from the
  craft. The pathfinders still must move from the landing point (debarkation) to their final destination. To do
  this, they infiltrate by land.
  OVERLAND MOVEMENT
  2-25. Because it limits small elements to short movements, infiltrating by land is the worst way to insert
  pathfinders.
  2-26. A well-organized, stable, close-knit enemy defense in depth can prohibit land infiltration. When
  time allows, the pathfinders can increase infiltration security by combining overland infiltration with
  parachute or airland infiltration.
  2-27. Pathfinders infiltrate overland when the following conditions exist: