text: Overview
  establish a lodgment to allow for the introduction of follow-on forces. Besides serving as a forcible entry
  assault force, such forces can conduct follow-on operations fromthe lodgment. The following paragraphs
  discuss the application of vertical envelopment as conducted by airborne or air assault forces to achieve
  operationalobjectives.
  TACTICALMANEUVER
  1-114. Vertical envelopment is a tactical maneuver in which troops that are air-dropped, air-landed, or
  inserted viaair assault, attack the rearand flanksofa force,ineffect cuttingoffor encirclingthe force(JP
  3-18). Commandersconductverticalenvelopment to occupy advantageous ground to shape the operational
  area and accelerate the momentum of the engagement. An enemy may or may not be in a position to
  oppose the maneuver. While the commander should attempt to achieve an unopposed landing when
  conductingverticalenvelopment,theassaultforcemustprepareforthepresenceofopposition.
  1-115. Vertical envelopment, airborne and air assault operations, allows a tactical commander to do the
  following:
  (cid:122) Threatenenemyechelonsupportareas, causingtheenemyto divertcombatelementsto protect
  vitalbasesorinstallationsandholdkeyterrain.
  (cid:122) Overcomedistancesquickly,overflybarriers,andbypassenemydefenses.
  (cid:122) Extendtheareaoverwhichthecommandercanexertinfluence.
  (cid:122) Disperse reserve forces widely for survivability reasons while maintaining their capability for
  effectiveandrapidresponse.
  (cid:122) Exploitcombatpowerbyincreasingtacticalmobility.
  COMMONFACTORS
  1-116. Planning results in establishing positions that support completing the assigned mission. Factors
  that are common to vertical envelopments include reverse planning process, condition setting, and the
  impactofmeteorologicalconditions(weatherandlightdata).
  ReversePlanningProcess
  1-117. Airborne and air assault commanders begin planning operations with a visualization of the ground
  tactical plan and work through a reverse-planning sequence. Planning factors common to airborne and air
  assaultoperationsareasfollows:
  (cid:122) Ground tactical plan. A ground tactical plan is the basis for planning throughout the planning
  process. Itisthe firstplan completed and itaddresses the destruction ofenemy forcesthatpose
  animmediate threatto thelodgment area. However, eachplanaffectsthe others, and changesin
  oneplancanrequireadjustmentsintheothers.
  Note. For example, the amount of lift available determines the feasibilityof the ground tactical
  plan. If there are not enough lift systems to put all the required forces in place at the required
  time, the commander adjusts the ground tactical plan as well as the other plans. Therefore,
  vertical envelopment planning requires the unit staff obtain vital planning data, such as the
  availabilityoflift systemsandthetechnicalandtacticalcapabilitiesofthosesystems,asearlyas
  possible.
  (cid:122) Landingplan.
  (cid:122) Movementplan.
  (cid:122) Loadingandstagingplans.(Airassault.)
  (cid:122) Marshallingplan.(Airborne.)
  (cid:122) Additionalplanningfactorsinclude—
  Inanalyzingtheplanthecommanderandstaffconsiderlodgmentterrainandinfrastructure,
  (cid:132)
  withaemphasisontheabilitytosupportfollow-onoperationsandforces.
  Intelligence regardingtheenemyandterraincharacteristicsoftheobjectiveareaisvitalto
  (cid:132)
  thisplanningprocess.(RefertoADRP2-0andFM2-0formoreinformation.)