text: Organization and Employment
  (cid:122) The Bravo Echelon is the reinforcing forces in the airhead. When needed, the Bravo
  Echelon enters the objective area as soon as practical by air or surface movement, or a
  combination of the two. It is manned and equipped for combat power augmentation and
  lodgmentexpansion. Itincludesadditionalvehiclesand equipment fromthe ABNAF, plus more
  forcestoincludesupportingpersonnel.Theexistenceofoneofthefollowingconditionsrequires
  anABNAFtohave a follow-onechelon:
  Shortageofaircraft.
  (cid:132)
  Aircraftthatcannotlandheavyitemsofequipment.
  (cid:132)
  Anyenemysituation,terrain,or weatherthatmakesitimpossibletolandcertainSoldiers or
  (cid:132)
  equipmentintheassaultechelon.
  (cid:122) The Charlie Echelon includes the remainder of the ABNAF and the airborne task force
  (ABNTF) required for operations after the establishment of the airhead and securing or
  expanding the lodgment. The Charlie Echelon gives the ABNAF the capability to conduct
  sustained combat operations within the limitations of the IBCT and provides additional combat
  powerandequipmentfortheABNTF. Dependingonthe missionand subsequent operations, the
  Charlie Echelon maybe either a reinforcing force or the first elements of what will become the
  follow-onforce.
  Note. Airborne Infantryunits canbe committed to anairborne assault withthe full complement
  of the follow-onechelonaspartoftheassaultingforce;however, ifleaving a follow-on echelon
  that mustbe broughtforward by meansother thanair, it is oftendesirable or necessaryto leave
  certainpersonnelandequipmentbehind.
  REARECHELON
  2-11. The rear echelon is the echelon containing those elements of the force that are not required in
  theobjectivearea.Therearechelonisnormallysmallfor a brigadeorbattalionandincludespersonnelleft
  at its rear base to perform administrative and service support functions. A higher headquarters usually
  controlsthe rearechelonfor allunits. Therearecheloncanremainattheremotemarshallingbase whenthe
  unit is to be relieved at an early date; or it can rejoin the unit when the IBCT remains committed to
  sustained combat for a prolonged or indefinite period. In addition, if the airborne force continues in the
  groundcombatroleafterlinkup,therearechelonmaybebroughtforward.
  DESIGNATIONOFRESERVE
  2-12. The employment of the reserve element follows the normal employment of a reserve unit in a
  groundoperation. Thelocationoccupied bythe echelon reservedependsonthe mostlikelymissionfor the
  reserve on commitment. With the reserve element at the departure airfield, the reserve commander must
  continue planning for possible future commitment of his forces as far as maps, photos, and information of
  thesituationpermit.
  TheBattalion as theReserve
  2-13. The reserve can be held in the departure area ready to be committed by air when and where the
  situation dictates. This usually happens in large-scale airborne operations when suitable airfields in the
  airheadarenotavailable.However,itmaycausedelaysincommitment—
  (cid:122) Ifsignalcommunicationsfail.
  (cid:122) Iftheairmovementislong.
  (cid:122) Ifflyingweatherisunfavorable.
  (cid:122) Iftimeisaddedforcoordinationofaircover.
  BrigadeandBattalionReserves
  2-14. These reservesmaybeusedtoentertheairheadaspart of theassaultechelon.Theyprovidedepth to
  the airhead by blocking penetrations, reinforcing committed units, and counterattacking. They consist of