text: Chapter 5
  manuallyaboardtheaircraftjustbeforeextraction,eitherbyimprovisedtimer,orontheground
  bythefirstindividualtoreachtheequipment.
  (cid:122) Assault aircraft markings. A simple code symbol (using various designs, colors, and
  combinations of letters and numbers) can be painted on both sides of the fuselage of assault
  forceaircrafttoidentifythecontents.Thissymbolislargeenoughtobeseen,anditindicatesnot
  onlythetypeofequipmentcontainedintheaircraftbuttheunittowhichtheequipmentbelongs.
  FORCEASSEMBLY
  5-93. Commanders base the assembly of the airborne force on a simple, flexible plan that adapts to any
  likelysituation.Assaultforcesassemblespeedily,silently,andwithoutconfusion.
  DropZoneAssembly
  5-94. Whenmovingtoanassemblyareafirstasopposedtoanassaultobjective,tospeedassemblyonthe
  dropzone,forcesshould—
  (cid:122) Establish an assembly control point. Location of this point is dependent upon unit scheme of
  maneuver. A designatedassemblycontrolpointofficerincharge ornon-commissionedofficerin
  chargeaccountsforallparatroopersastheyreporttothecontrolpoint.Hethenconfirmsazimuth
  anddistancetotheassemblyarea,orifthesituationchangesgives a newazimuthanddistanceto
  analternateassemblyarea.
  (cid:122) Establishtheassemblyarea. Locate the forceassemblyarea in a coveredandconcealedposition
  off the drop zone. The first group to arrive in the unit assemblyarea should first establish local
  security, and then establish the predetermined assembly aid as soon as possible to assist in
  directingtherestoftheunittotheassemblyarea.
  (cid:122) Depart the assemblyarea. Move out rapidlyon assigned mission once enough combat power is
  established. Leave a small element in the assembly area to assemble and account for personnel
  thathave notarrivedforlaterlinkup.
  TroopBriefings
  5-95. Assault force personnel must understand individual actions during assembly. Personnel briefings
  includethefollowinginformation:
  (cid:122) Briefassaultforcepersonneland rebriefthemonthe assemblyplanfor theirunitandonthoseof
  otherunitsscheduledtosharethesamedropzone.
  (cid:122) Usevisualaidssuchasmaps, aerialphotos,terrainmodels,andsandtables.
  (cid:122) Warn personnel to resist guiding on what appears to be a prominent terrain feature on a map.
  Once theyare onthe ground, the terrainfeature probablycannotbe seen. Thisis especiallytrue
  ifpersonnellandonthe wrongdropzoneoronthe wrongpartof a dropzone.
  (cid:122) Usetheclockdirectionalsystem.Instructpersonneltoorientthemselvesandthegenerallocation
  oftheassemblyareabythedirectionofflight.
  Note.Regardlessoftheactualazimuth,thedirectionofflightis always12o’clock.
  FACTORSAFFECTINGASSEMBLY
  5-96. When preparing the assembly plan consider dispersion (such as the speed, altitude, and flight
  formation of airlift aircraft and their effect (along with wind) of personnel and equipment in landing. The
  resultantlandingpatternsignificantlyaffectsassembly, asdoesthe dropzone lengthandwidth,the training
  leveloftheairborneforcesandpilots,theenemysituation,andcrossloading.
  Dispersion
  5-97. Theextentofdispersionis the resultofthe airliftformation; type, speed, and altitudeofthe aircraft;
  number of serials;sequence ofdeliveryweather conditions; and aircrewproficiency. Dispersioncoversthe
  following: