text: Preface
  Army Field Manual (FM) 3-99, Airborne and Air Assault Operations, establishes doctrine to govern the
  activitiesandperformanceofArmyforcesinforcibleentry(specificallyairborneand airassaultoperations)and
  provides the doctrinal basis for vertical envelopment and follow-on operations. This publication provides
  leaders with descriptive guidance on how Army forces conduct vertical envelopment within the simultaneous
  combinationofoffense,defense,andstability.These doctrinalprinciplesareintended tobeusedas a guideand
  arenottobeconsideredprescriptive.
  FM 3-99encompassestacticsforArmyairborneandairassaultoperations anddescribeshowcommandersplan,
  prepare, and conduct airborne and air assault operations by means of joint combined arms operations. This
  publicationsupersedesFM90-26,AirborneOperationsandArmyTactics,Techniques,andProcedures 3-18.12,
  AirAssaultOperations.
  To comprehend the doctrine contained in this publication, readers must first understand the principles of war,
  the natureof unified land operations, and the linksbetween the operationaland tacticallevelsof war described
  in JointPublication(JP) 3-0,ArmyDoctrine Publication(ADP) 3-0,and ArmyDoctrine ReferencePublication
  (ADRP) 3-0. The reader must understand the fundamentals ofthe operationsprocess found in ADP and ADRP
  5-0 associated with the conduct of offensive and defensive tasks contained in FM 3-90-1 and reconnaissance,
  security, and tactical enabling tasks contained in FM 3-90-2. In addition the reader must also fully understand
  the principles of mission command as described in ADP 6-0 and ADRP 6-0 and command and staff
  organizationandoperationsfoundinFM 6-0.
  The principal audience for FM 3-99 is the commanders, staff, officers, and noncommissioned officers (NCOs)
  of the brigade, battalions, and companies within the brigade combat team. The audience also includes the
  United StatesArmyTraining andDoctrine Commandinstitutionsand components, and the United States Army
  SpecialOperationsCommand.Itservesasanauthoritativereferenceforpersonneldevelopingdoctrine,materiel
  and force structure, institutionaland unittraining, and standard operatingprocedures(SOPs) for airborne or air
  assaultoperations.
  Commanders, staffs, and subordinatesensure their decisions and actionscomply withapplicable United States,
  international, and, in some cases, host-nation laws and regulations. Commanders at all levels ensure their
  Soldiersoperateinaccordancewiththelawofwarandtherulesofengagement.(RefertoFM27-10.)
  FM 3-99 uses joint terms where applicable. Selected joint and Army terms and definitions appear in both the
  glossary and text. Terms for which FM 3-99 is the proponent publication (the authority) are marked with an
  asterisk(*)inthe glossary.Termsanddefinitionsfor whichFM 3-99is the proponent publicationare boldfaced
  in the text and the term is italicized. For other definitions shown in the text, the term is italicized and the
  numberoftheproponentpublicationfollowsthedefinition.
  This publication applies to the Active Army, the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United
  States,andtheUnitedStatesArmyReserveunlessotherwisestated.
  The proponent for FM 3-99 is the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). The preparing
  agency is the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE). Send comments and
  recommendations by— mail or e-mail—using or following the format of DA Form 2028, (Recommended
  ChangestoPublicationsandBlankForms). Pointofcontactinformationisasfollows:
  E-mail: usarmy.benning.mcoe.mbx.doctrine@mail.mil
  Phone: COM706-545-7114orDSN835-7114
  Mail: Commanding General, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Directorate of Training and Doctrine, Doctrine
  andCollectiveTrainingDivision,ATTN:ATZK-TDD,FortBenning,GA31905-5410
  Unlessotherwisestated,wheneverthemasculinegenderisused,bothmenandwomenareimplied.