text: Chapter 3
  PREDEPLOYMENT PLANNING AND PREPARATION
  3-17. Units must plan for and prepare internal deployment standard operating procedures (SOPs) and
  continually update and rehearse them. These SOPs should include actions that are common to all
  deployments, to include airland, parachute assault planning, preparation, execution, and assessment. They
  mayinclude:
  (cid:122) Conductrapid,shortnoticedeployment.
  (cid:122) Emergencydeploymentreadinessexercise(commonlyknownasEDRE).
  (cid:122) Preparepersonnelforoverseasdeployment. (RefertoFM 3-35formoreinformation.)
  (cid:122) Updateandreviewallvehicleloadplans.
  (cid:122) Validateandupdatemovementplanswithnexthigherheadquarters.
  (cid:122) Updateaccessandrecallrosters.
  (cid:122) Reviewfamilyreadinessgrouprostersandreardetachmentresponsibilities.
  (cid:122) Ensure special team personnel are identified and trained (movement, chemical, biological,
  radiological,andnuclear,outload,ammunitionhandling).
  X- HOUR/N-HOUR SEQUENCES FOR DEPLOYMENT
  3-18. The X-hour/N-hour sequences for deployment are developed and followed to ensure all reports,
  actions, and outload processes are accomplished at the proper time during marshalling. They aid in
  developing air and deployment schedules and are flexible to allowfor modifications based on the mission
  andtheunitcommander’sconceptoftheoperation.
  3-19. X-hour is the unspecified time that commences unit notification for planning and deployment
  preparation in support of potential contingency operations that do not involve rapid, short notice
  deployment.X-hoursequenceis an extended sequenceofeventsinitiatedby X-hour thatallowaunit
  tofocusonplanningfor a potentialcontingencyoperation,toincludepreparationfordeployment.
  3-20. N-hour is the time a unit is notified to assemble its personnel and begin the deployment
  sequence. The N-hour sequence starts the reverse planning necessary after notification to have the
  first assault aircraft en route to the objective area for commencement of the parachute assault in
  accordancewiththeorderforexecution.
  3-21. In anticipation of an order for execution; the ABNAF staff and its key leaders begin preparing or
  updating an operations plan. The length of X-hour planning varies based on the contingency planning or
  crisis action planning situation and the specific operations plan. It normally ceases with either the
  designation of N-hour, or if political or military events warrant, no further action. Deployment planning
  sequencesfallintooneofthreescenarios:
  (cid:122) Unconstrained X-hoursequence.Usedprimarilyfordeliberateplanningorcrisis-actionplanning
  thatisnotunder a timeconstraint.
  (cid:122) Constrained X-hoursequence.Usedforcrisisactionplanning.
  (cid:122) N-hoursequence.Maybeproceededbyan X-hoursequence.
  OPTIMIZE AVAILABLE PLANNING TIME
  3-22. Effective execution requires issuing timely plans and orders to subordinates. Timely plans are those
  issued soon enough to allow subordinates time to plan, issue their orders, and prepare for operations. In
  time-constrained environments, products contain just enough information for the commander to make a
  reasoned decision and subordinates to assess the situation quickly and plan, prepare, and execute the
  necessaryactions. Regardless ofwhether timeforplanningisconstrained ornot,tooptimizeavailabletime
  and ensure the best possible synchronization, commanders encourage collaborative and parallel planning
  betweentheirheadquartersandhigherandlowerheadquarters.
  COLLABORATIVEANDPARALLELPLANNING
  3-23. Both collaborative and parallel planning help optimize available planning time. Collaborative
  planningisseveralechelonsdevelopingplansandorderstogether.Commanders,subordinatecommanders,