text: Army Aviation Sustainment
  BASING
  4-44. Aviation can operate from austere field locations and can disperse its assets for protection purposes.
  When operating from a centralized location, aviation requires a large area in order to perform maintenance
  and park/move large numbers of aircraft. Establishing and maintaining airfields enables the positioning of
  aviation assets within the range of ground forces. This task becomes critical when airfields are host to a
  variety of allied military, nongovernmental organizations, and commercial air activities.
  4-45. Potential airfields must be properly analyzed in order to determine dimension and possible conflicts
  between UAS and manned military and civilian aviation. Commanders and staffs must also ensure potential
  airfields meet takeoff and landing requirements; this is especially true for UAS, since unmanned aircraft
  may face limitations based on runway surfaces, dimensions, or other factors. A letter of agreement may be
  necessary in order to establish operational procedures, and requirements for placement of ground
  equipment. This agreement is made by both the UAS unit and air traffic control (ATC) unit for
  standardization and airfield operational safety.
  4-46. An airfield management element in the CAB operations section coordinates essential airfield services
  necessary to support assigned flight crews and aircraft. These services include weather support, firefighting
  capabilities, airfield lighting, hazardous material/cargo handling, petroleum, oil and lubricant services, and
  navigational aids.
  Expeditionary Capability
  4-47. The TAOG and AOB are organized and equipped to facilitate early entry contingencies and the
  establishment of expeditionary airfields in support of Army Aviation operations. These organizations
  provide expeditionary airfield management and C2 at theater-level airfields, forward operating bases, and
  other areas designated by the theater aviation commander.
  4-48. The AOB organization and its related ATC assets are deployed at locations requiring the operational
  management of airfield activities or at locations without an organic ATS element. The AOB may conduct
  transition operations with a GSAB ATS company during an advancing movement or in stability operations.
  Intermediate Staging Base
  4-49. The intermediate staging base (ISB) is a tailorable, temporary location used for staging forces,
  sustainment, and/or extraction into and out of an operational area. If tasked to operate the ISB, the Army
  should have a primary role in the selection process. The ISB is located inside the theater but outside the AO
  and combat zone. In cases where the joint force must secure a lodgment to project the force, an ISB may be
  critical to success.
  4-50. The TAOG with one or more attached AOBs may be required to establish an ISB airfield for staging
  forces. The ISB airfield may be the initial reception and staging facility for Army Aviation movement into
  the AO. The ISB airfield should include sufficient Army C2, maneuver, sustainment and joint support to
  enable force projection into the combat zone.
  4-51. The longevity of the ISB varies according to circumstances. The airfield may function as a secure
  facility for split-based operations during the following capacities or operations:
  * Logistics management for support area functions.
  * Restricted forward deployment to only those forces necessary to execute the mission (reduces
  logistical footprint).
  * As the lodgment expands and tactical situation permits, the JFC can establish a theater staging
  base within the AO, which may require the redeployment of the TAOG or the deployment of an
  additional AOB as part of the process.
  * In addition to the ISB, the TAOG is capable of establishing ATC support at forward operating
  bases and key helicopter LZs.