text: Helicopter Landing Zones
  y Emplacing and briefing the GTA radio operator.
  y Clearing touchdown and slingload points.
  y Organizing personnel and loads for air movement.
  y Clearing or marking obstacles.
  y Preparing for night and day missions.
  y Continuing to improve the site.
  EXTRA PATHFINDERS
  4-36. These Soldiers operate the GTA radio and the pathfinder internal radio net (if established), position
  and operate navigation and assembly aids, and clear or mark obstacles. Four factors dictate the number of
  extra pathfinders employed:
  y The size of the landing site.
  y The expected density of air traffic.
  y The number and type of visual and electronic aids used.
  y The tactical situation.
  COMMANDER
  4-37. The commander can attach other Soldiers from supported units to the landing site party. The
  pathfinders brief and rehearse attached Soldiers. Only pathfinders reconnoiter actual landing areas, but
  attached personnel can—
  y Reconnoiter other areas.
  y Provide security.
  y Help pathfinders set up and operate the landing site.
  y Reconnoiter and mark assembly areas.
  y Operate assembly aids.
  SECTION III. LANDING SITE OPERATIONS
  Before they can start using a landing site, pathfinders need only pick its location and set up communications
  there. They continue marking and improving the site until it can support the ground tactical plan.
  COMMUNICATIONS
  4-38. As soon as they arrive at the landing site, pathfinders set up communications in the GTA net. If
  needed, they also set up the pathfinder internal net. They monitor these radio nets continuously, unless
  directed otherwise, until they complete operations at the site.
  4-39. Tactical situation permitting, pathfinders locate each helicopter landing site within ground
  communication range of the other sites and manned RPs. The range of available radios dictates whether
  facilities within the LZ can communicate with each other.
  4-40. The commander of the landing site for utility and cargo helicopters quickly reconnoiters the area to
  determine the exact direction of landing. He calculates an intercept heading from the RP if necessary. He
  selects the location of the landing point of the lead helicopter of each flight. Then he decides if the terrain
  or situation dictates any change to the planned landing formation. The site commander has pathfinders or
  other personnel compile landing instructions for transmittal to inbound helicopters. He also has them
  remove or mark obstacles in or around the site.