text: Chapter 5
  requests from the joint airborne force commander involving both reconnaissance and fire
  missionsareprocessedthroughnormaljointoperationscenterchannels.
  (cid:122) Assault. Requirements during the assault phase are the same for all airborne operations. During
  the dropping or air landing and assemblyof assault elements, aircraft that are on air alertstatus
  overdropzonesorlandingzonesdefendagainsthostilesurfaceoraerialreactiontotheassault.
  (cid:122) Consolidation and exploitation. Air control network facilities in excess of tactical air control
  parties and airborne platforms are meager until the air landing of more supplies and
  reinforcements during this phase. In an operation, that does not involve an immediate linkup
  after seizureof objectives;the air landingofreinforcingor supportingelementsprovides for the
  rapid expansion and improvement of tactical air control networks to meet the needs of
  anticipatedemergencies.
  Aircraft providing support subsequent to the assault phase are based within the objective
  (cid:132)
  area, outside the objective area, or both. In view of the logistics demands of aircraft, air
  supportisbased withinthe objective area onlywhenitcannotbeeffectivelyprovided from
  outside. Limitations in the effective radius of aircraft are the determining factors. An
  airstriporsufficientlyadaptableterrainisoneofthesefactorsinselectinganobjectivearea.
  A singlecommanderinthe objectiveareahascommandoverbothground andairelements.
  (cid:132)
  However,anofficerchargedwithbroaderresponsibilities whoseheadquartersisoutside the
  objectiveareacanretainsuchcommand.
  IntegrationtoSupportGroundOperations
  5-81. Adequate air support of an airborne operation requires some integration of airborne forces and air
  activityinsupportofgroundoperations.
  (cid:122) The air operations plan is based on the overall USAF mission and the amount of available
  strategic,tactical,and airlifteffort.Theeffectofforecasted weather enrouteandintheproposed
  areaofoperationmustbeconsidered.
  (cid:122) Offensive and defensive air operations must be continuouslyplanned in support of an objective
  area. Immediate air support must be continuouslyavailable (onair alert) in spite ofan apparent
  absenceoftargets.
  AirTraffic Control
  5-82. Airtrafficcontrolinthe airhead isinitiallyanUSAFcombatcontrolteamresponsibility. Augmented
  combat control teams can be replaced byArmy air traffic control units at a later time. Air traffic services
  provided to airborne forces come fromcontingencycorps assets. Liaison, beacon, and tower teams are the
  mostfrequentlyemployedelements.Actionsareasfollows:
  (cid:122) During alert, marshalling, and deployment, a liaison team is sent to the headquarters that is
  planning the operation; it serves as a part of the section and provides advice on airspace
  management, especially in the airhead. The main concern in planning is the handoff between
  combat control teams and air traffic control parties. Combat control teams control the airhead
  withtheadviceandassistancefromairtrafficcontrolpersonneluntilfollow-onairtrafficcontrol
  elementsarrive.
  (cid:122) Beacon and tower teams deploy with the aviation or ABNAF main command post attached to
  the S-3 section. These teams provide initial air traffic control in the airhead. The beacon team
  provides terminal guidance for Army aircraft from their intermediate staging base into the
  airfield. The tower team augments the combat control team party. The amount of control given
  upbycombatcontrolteamstoairtrafficcontrolteamsdependsonthesizeoftheairflow.
  (cid:122) Operational control of air traffic control assets usually passes to the senior aviation unit
  commander once he is established in the airhead. Forward arming and refueling point and
  aviation assembly area operations include air traffic control elements and services, as specified
  bythesenioraviationunitcommander.