text: Landing Plan
  METHOD OF DELIVERY
  5-13. Thispartofthe landingplanaddresseshowthe force withits needed supplies andequipmentarrives
  intheobjectivearea.Theassault echeloncomes inbyparachute.The ABNAFCcanuse a numberofother
  meanstointroduceadditionalpersonnel,equipment,andsuppliesintotheobjectivearea.
  PERSONNELAIRDROP
  5-14. The airborne force delivers assault personnel by parachute drop. This method allows quick, nearly
  simultaneous delivery of the force. Planners choose terrain with minimal obstacles that allows the assault
  force to land on or close to objectives. In some cases and with special equipment, it can deliver personnel
  into rough terrain. Specialteams can use high-altitude high-opening(HAHO) or high-altitude low-opening
  (HALO) parachute techniques. These methods allow for early delivery without compromising the
  objective’slocation.
  EQUIPMENT/SUPPLYAIRDROP
  5-15. Airborne forces canairdrop supplies and equipment directlyto ground forces behind enemy linesor
  inotherunreachableareas.However,thereareadvantagesanddisadvantages.
  (cid:122) Advantagesareasfollows:
  Prerigging and storing emergency items for contingencies considerably reduces shipping
  (cid:132)
  andhandlingtimeandincreasesresponsiveness.
  Since the delivery aircraft does not land, there is no need for forward airfields, landing
  (cid:132)
  zonesormaterialhandlingequipmentforoffloading.
  Thisreducesflighttimeandexposuretohostilefireandincreasesaircraft survivabilityand
  (cid:132)
  availability.
  Groundforcescandispersemoresincetheyarenottiedtoanairfieldorstrip.
  (cid:132)
  (cid:122) Disadvantagesareasfollows:
  Airdropsrequirespeciallytrainedriggerpersonnelandappropriate aircraft.
  (cid:132)
  Badweatherorhighwindscandelaytheairdroporscatterthedroppedcargo.
  (cid:132)
  Ground fire threatens vulnerable aircraft making their final approach, especially if
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  mountainsorhighhillscanalizetheaircraft.
  Since the aircraft do not land, no opportunity for ground refueling exists. Planned aerial
  (cid:132)
  refueling canextend aircraft range and should be considered on long flight legs to increase
  objectivearealoitertimeandmissionflexibility.
  Bulkyairdroprigsforequipmentpreventtheaircraftfromcarryingas muchcargoaswhen
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  configuredforairland.
  Thepossibilityoflossordamagetoequipmentduringtheairdropalwaysexists.
  (cid:132)
  Groundforcesmustsecurethedropzonetopreventitemsfromfallingintoenemyhands.
  (cid:132)
  Recoveryofairdroppedequipmentisslowandmanpowerintensive.
  (cid:132)
  TypesofDelivery
  5-16. All means of delivery are exploited to maximize combat power in the lodgment. Free drop, high-
  velocityairdrop,low-velocityairdrop,andjointprecisionairdrop,aredifferenttypesofairdropdelivery.
  FreeDrop
  5-17. Less than 600 feet above ground level (AGL), free drop requires no parachute or retarding device.
  The airdrop crewcan use energy-dissipating materiel around the load to lessen the shock when it hits the
  ground at a rate of 130 to 150 feet a second. Fortification or barrier material, clothing in bales, and other
  suchitemscanbefreedropped.