text: Chapter 8
  (cid:122) Reducedgroundmobilityonceinserted(particularlySBCTandABCTforces).
  (cid:122) Availability of suitable landing zones and pickup zones due to mountainous, urban, jungle, or
  othercomplexterrain.
  (cid:122) Availabilityofairroutes(forexample,airroutesnearinternationalborders).
  (cid:122) Availabilityofchemical,biological,radiological,andnuclearprotectionanddecontaminationcapability.
  (cid:122) Battlefieldobscurationthatlimitshelicopterflight.
  (cid:122) Highfuelandammunitionconsumptionrates.
  (cid:122) Availabilityoforganicfires,sustainmentassets,andprotection.
  VULNERABILITIES
  8-19. An AATF uses helicopters to move to and close with the enemy. Initial assault elements should be
  light and mobile. They often are separated from weapon systems, equipment, and materiel that provide
  protectionandsurvivabilityonthebattlefield.AnAATFisparticularlyvulnerableto(cid:650)
  (cid:122) Enemyattackbyaircraftandairdefenseweaponsystemsduringthemovementphase.
  (cid:122) Enemy attack by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons because of limited
  protectionanddecontaminationcapability.
  (cid:122) Enemyattackbyground,air,orartilleryduringtheloadingandlandingphases.
  (cid:122) Enemyairstrikesduetolimitedavailabilityofairdefenseweaponsystems.
  (cid:122) Enemy electronic attack to include jamming of communications and navigation systems, and
  disruptingaircraftsurvivabilityequipment.
  (cid:122) Enemy small-arms fire that presents a large threat to helicopters during the air movement and
  landingphases.
  SECTION V – AIRSPACE CONTROL
  8-20. Airspacecontrolrequires both a control authorityand a controlsystem. Airspace control is a process
  used to increase operational effectivenessbypromotingthe safe,efficient,and flexibleuse ofairspace with
  minimum restraint upon airspace users. Planning must include coordinating, integrating, and regulating
  airspacetoincreaseoperationaleffectiveness.Properplanningcauseseffectiveairspacecontrolandreduces
  theriskoffratricide,enhancesairdefense,andpermitsflexibility.
  CONCURRENT EMPLOYMENT
  8-21. Airspace controlisapplyingairspace controlto coordinateairspace users forconcurrent employment
  in assigned missions. Effective airspace control enables all warfighting functions to work efficiently while
  synchronizing air operations to support the commander’s intent. Successful airspace control is dependent
  on the ability to perform the functions of identification, coordination, integration, and regulation of airspace
  users.
  8-22. Properly managed airspace increases combat effectiveness. Ensuring the safe, efficient and flexible
  use of airspace, minimizes restraint placed on airspace users. It includes coordinating, integrating, and
  regulating airspace to increase operational effectiveness. Effective airspace control reduces the risk of
  fratricide,enhancesairdefense,andpermitsflexibility.
  8-23. Airspacecontroldoesnotdenoteownership of a blockofairspaceorcommandover activities within
  that airspace. Rather, it refers to users of the airspace. All air missions are subject to the airspace control
  order published by the airspace control authority, which provides direction to deconflict, coordinate, and
  integratetheuseofairspacewithintheoperationalarea.
  8-24. Joint forces use airspace to conduct air operations, deliver fires, employ air defense measures, and
  conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. At times, these missions may be time
  sensitiveandavoidtheabilitytoconductdetailedcoordinationwiththe land force.Itisimperativethatland
  forces provide their higher headquarters with all airspace coordinating measures to provide visibility to
  otherjointusersandpreventfratricide.