text: Chapter 4
  Figure 4-1. Assault objectives
  4-22. This selection does not necessarily include those objectives that the force must seize to secure the
  airhead line. An appropriate assault objective is one, which the force must control early in the assault to
  accomplish the mission, or it must control to enhance the security of the airborne unit during the
  establishmentoftheairhead.
  4-23. Objectives should allow for the accomplishment of mission-essential tasks while meeting the
  commander’s intent. They can include key terrain within the airhead or terrain required for linkup. For
  example, the commander has directed the airborne force to secure a bridge for later use by linkup forces.
  The force must secure this bridge before the enemy can destroy or damage it; therefore, the commander
  designatesthebridgeasanassaultobjective.
  4-24. The airborne unit is vulnerable from the time of the airborne assault until follow-on forces can be
  delivered to the airhead. A mobile enemy unit attacking the airhead during these early moments can
  completely disrupt the operation. Therefore, the commander selects assault objectives terrain that
  dominatesplaceswherehigh-speedenemyavenuesofapproachentertheairhead.
  4-25. Enemypositions that boththreaten the mission and are located within the airhead canbe selected as
  assaultobjectives.However,commanderswouldnotclassifymobileforcesasassaultobjectives.
  4-26. Assault objectives must be seized immediately to establish the airhead and to provide security for
  follow-onforcescomingintotheairhead.
  4-27. Other considerations influence the development and final selection of assault objectives.
  Subordinatecommandersdecidethesize,type,ordispositionoftheforcetogain/maintaincontrol.
  (cid:122) Divisionselectsbrigadeassaultobjectives.
  (cid:122) Brigadeselectsbattalionassaultobjectives.
  (cid:122) Battalionselectscompanyassaultobjectives.
  Senior commanders choose as few assault objectives as possible since subordinate
  (cid:132)
  commanders must select additional objectives to establish a cohesive defense of their
  assignedareasoftheairhead.
  Assault objectives are ranked in order. A unit SOP may predesignate a numbering system
  (cid:132)
  forsubordinateobjectives.Forexample,all firstbrigadeobjectivesbeginwith a “Q,” orfor
  OPSEC purposes, they maybe randomly numbered or lettered. Priorities are chosen based
  onthe mostlikelythreatorontheneedsofthefriendlyforce.