text: Chapter 9
  Air Assault Planning
  Planning for air assault operations mirrors the military decisionmaking process
  (MDMP). It incorporates parallel and collaborative planning actions necessary to
  provide the additional time and detailed planning required for successful execution of
  the air assault mission. Standardizing operations between units conducting the air
  assaultsignificantlyenhancestheabilityoftheunittoaccomplishthemission.
  SECTION I – ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  9-1. Air assault planning is as detailed as time permits and should include completion of written orders
  and plans. Within time constraints, the air assault task force commander (AATFC) carefully evaluates
  capabilities andlimitationsof thetotalforceanddevelops aplan thatensuresa high probabilityofsuccess.
  Theplanningtime shouldabidebytheone-third/two-thirdsruletoensuresubordinateshaveenoughtime to
  planandrehearse.
  HIGHER HEADQUARTERS
  9-2. The headquarters above the element forming the air assault task force (AATF) directs the formation
  ofthe AATF.This headquartersallocatesunits, defines authority,and assignsresponsibilitybydesignating
  command and support relationships. The staff of this headquarters is responsible for developing the task
  organizationof the AATFand conducting the necessarystepsofthe MDMP. Adivision-levelcommander
  orhisequivalentistheapprovingauthorityfortheformationof anAATFlargerthanacompany.
  BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM
  9-3. The brigade combat team (BCT) is the core of the air assault and the BCT commander is normally
  the AATFC for a battalion air assault. The AATFC for a company air assault is normally the battalion
  commander of the company conducting the assault. The primary role of the AATFC and his staff is to
  developthegroundtacticalplanbyprovidinghisstaffandthesupportingaviation unitstaffwith keytasks,
  intentandaviationstaffguidanceconcerningtheweightoftheattackreconnaissancecoverageandthelevel
  ofacceptableriskforthesupportingaviationunits.
  SUPPORTING AVIATION UNITS
  9-4. Normally, supporting aviation units are operational control to the AATFC. Occasionally, an aviation
  taskforcemaybecreatedtosupportanAATF.However,the combataviationbrigadecommandertypically
  anticipatesthe needsofthe AATFCandprovidesthe necessary aviationunitstosupport the missionofthe
  AATF. As the supporting unit, the combat aviation brigade commander directs aviation units within his
  commandorrequestsaugmentationfromhishigherheadquarterstomeettheneedsoftheAATFC.
  SECTION II – REVERSE PLANNING SEQUENCE
  9-5. Air assault planning is based on careful analysis of the mission variables of METT-TC and detailed
  reverseplanning.Fivebasicplanscomprisethereverseplanningsequence.(Seefigure9-1,page9-2.)They
  are(cid:650)
  (cid:122) Groundtacticalplan.
  (cid:122) Landingplan.
  (cid:122) Airmovementplan.
  (cid:122) Loadingplan.