text: Chapter 4
  Figure 4-3. Boundaries
  METHODOFATTACK
  4-37. Therearethreebasicmethodsofattackinganobjective.Theyare:
  (cid:122) Jumping or landing on top of the objective. This method works best for attacking a small
  objective that is specially fortified against ground attack. However, an airborne landing into an
  areastronglydefendedagainstairattackrequiressurprisetosucceed.
  (cid:122) Jumping or landing near the objective. This method works best for the capture of a lightly
  defended objective that must be seized intactsuchas a bridge. Ifthe enemy has strongdefenses
  againstairattack,onlysurprisecanenabletheunittoachievesuccesswithfewcasualties.
  (cid:122) Jumping or landing at a distance from the objective. This method is the least often used of the
  methods available. Airborne forces use this method for large complex objectives that must be
  seized bydeliberate attack. The drop zone is selected to emphasize securityand preservationof
  theforce.Theplanisbasedon METT-TCconsiderationsandshouldsurprisetheenemy.
  METHODOFLANDING
  4-38. Therearetwobasiclandingmethods. Theyareasfollows:
  (cid:122) Multiple drop zones. The use of multiple drop zones creates a number of small airheads in the
  objective area. This method supports the principle of mass by placing the maximum number of
  paratroopersinthe objective area inthe minimumamountoftime. Additionally,the commander
  cancapitalizeontheprincipleofsurprise becausethemaineffortis noteasilydeterminedbythe
  enemy.Thismethodnormallyisusedbydivision-sizeelementsandlarger.
  (cid:122) Single drop zone. IBCT and smaller-size airborne forces often establish an airhead by
  conducting the airborne assault onto a single drop zone. This method allows the assaulting unit
  toassemblequicklyandmasscombatpoweragainsttheenemy.