text: Chapter 5
  KEYSTORAPIDASSEMBLY
  5-102. Rapid assembly results from well thought out and rehearsed cross loading to include heavy
  equipment drop loads, and a thorough, but simple plan that applies for all drop zones. Take the following
  actions:
  (cid:122) Usetheclocksystem (notmagneticazimuthsystem nornorth,south,east,west)fordirectionor
  routetotheassemblyarea.
  (cid:122) Useassemblyareasthatareeasy tofindwithoutcomplicatedassemblyaids,evenifdroppedon
  the wrongpartofthedropzoneoronanunplanned dropzone.
  (cid:122) Be prepared with both dayand night assembly aids, especiallyfor drops scheduled at dawn
  ordusk.
  (cid:122) Locateassemblyareasascloseaspossibletowherepersonnelland.
  (cid:122) To permit rapid assembly, never locate assembly areas at either end of the drop zone.
  (Paratroopersshould nothavetowalkfromoneendtotheother.)
  (cid:122) Usepersonnel,unit,andequipmentmarkingstospeedassembly.
  (cid:122) Brieftoallunitswhatmarkingthe same serialwilluse.
  (cid:122) Usesandtablesextensivelytobriefonandrehearseassemblyproceduresasoftenaspossible.
  ASSEMBLYAREAACTIVITIES
  5-103. Not only do forces assemble as quickly as they can, but they get out of the assembly area as
  quickly as possible. They remain in the assembly area only long enough to establish mission command,
  task organize for furtheroperations, and to determine the statusofassembly. Theymodifyplansasneeded
  tomeetchangesinthesituationandissueordersasappropriate.
  5-104. Subordinate units determine minimum forces necessary to depart assembly areas early in the
  planning process. As the unit assembles on the drop zone, it immediately moves to its assault objectives
  onceminimumforceisestablished.
  DepartureFromtheAssemblyArea
  5-105. Battalion assault forces proceed on their assigned mission when assembly is complete or on order
  of the ABN IBCT commander. Reorganization of an assault force is complete when all subordinate units
  are assembled and command and fire control communications channels are established. As a result of
  inaccuratelandings,enemyaction,orassemblydelays,assaultforcesmayhavetoattackbeforeassemblyis
  complete. The ABN IBCT commander or acting commander makes this decision. In the absence of other
  orders, the battalion commander decides when enough of his battalion assault force has assembled to
  accomplish the mission. The time or conditions for assault forces to move out on their assigned missions
  areordinarilyestablishedintheoperationplanbyhigherheadquarters.
  Reports
  5-106. Because of the dispersion of personnel and equipment in landing, the possibility of inaccurate
  landings,andthe potentiallossofaircraftduringthe air movement, commandersatalllevels mustlearnthe
  status of personnel and equipment in their units as soon as possible after landing. They need this
  information to determine combat power before executing the ground tactical plan. Reporting actions may
  include:
  (cid:122) All forces report their personnel and equipment status to the next higher unit at predetermined
  times or intervals until reorganization is complete. These status reports indicate the location of
  the unit; the number of personnel assembled and the number of known casualties; the number
  and type of crew-served weapons, vehicles, radios, and other recovered key equipment; and
  information available on missing personnel and equipment. Forces make abbreviated status
  reports from the drop zone as soon as they establish radio communications in accordance with
  standardoperatingprocedures.