text: Air Movement Plan
  (cid:122) Type-load method. In a force air movement, a number of the aircraft loads contain the same
  itemsofequipmentand numbersofpersonnel.Identicaltypeloadssimplifytheplanningprocess
  and make the tasks of manifesting and rehearsing much easier. Used for calculating individual
  aircraftliftrequirements,the type-load methodisthemostcommonand widelyacceptedmethod
  of unit air movement planning. It requires consideration of load configuration and condition on
  arrival at a desired destination, rapid off-loading, aircraft limitations, security requirements en
  route, and the anticipated operational requirements. Use the more detailed type-load method in
  planningforcemovements.
  SECTION III – LOAD PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
  6-8. When preparing the air movement plan, the S-3 Air considers tactical integrity, cross loading, self-
  sufficiencyofeachload,andchance ofexecutingtheair landoption.TheS-3airkeepsunitsintactas much
  aspossible. Forairborne operations,this can meanplacing forceslargerthansquadsonseparateaircraftso
  theyexittheir respectiveaircraftover the same portionof thedrop zone.Thisfacilitatesrapid assembly by
  placingunitsclosetotheirassemblyareasonlanding.
  TACTICAL INTEGRITY
  6-9. Maintainingtacticalintegrityincludesthefollowingguidance:
  (cid:122) The S-3 Air must understand and develop the tactical cross load based on the ground
  tacticalplan.
  (cid:122) Keyleaderorstaffgroupsarecrossloadedandpositionedwithintheassaultechelontobestcontrol
  groundmaneuverandprovideredundancyofmissioncommandfortheairborneoperation.
  (cid:122) Fire support teams and their radiotelephone operators should be on the same aircraft with the
  commandertheysupport;theyshouldjumptolandnexttohim.
  (cid:122) Platoon leaders (and platoon sergeants on different aircraft) should have their forward observers,
  radiotelephoneoperators,atleastonemachineguncrew,andoneJavelingunneronthesameaircraft.
  (cid:122) Each aircraft has at least one unit non-commissioned officer or commissioned officer for each
  unitwithpersonnelonboard.EachaircrafthasArmyleadershippresent.
  (cid:122) To ensure tactical integrity, distribute the company commander, unit first sergeant, and
  executiveofficerindifferentaircrafts.
  CROSS LOADING
  6-10. Cross loading distributes leaders, key weapons, and key equipment between the aircraft of the
  formation to avoid total loss of mission commandor force effectiveness if an aircraft is lost. Give careful
  attentiontocrossloadingduringrapidassembly.
  6-11. Separatekeypersonnelincaseanaircraftabortsorfailstoreachthedropzone.Thispreventstheloss
  ofmorethanonekeyofficerorNCOofaunit.Properlyplannedcrossloadingaccomplishesthefollowing:
  (cid:122) Personnelfromthesameunitlandtogetherinthesamepartofthedropzoneforfasterassembly.
  (cid:122) Equipmentor vehicleoperatorsandweaponsystemcrewslandinthesamepartofthedropzone
  astheirheavy-dropequipmentsotheycangettoit,derigit,andputitintooperationquickly.
  (cid:122) Ifoneormoreaircraftaborteitheronthegroundorenroutetothe dropzone,somekey leaders
  andequipmentstillaredelivered.
  6-12. When planning airborne force cross loading, remember—the fewer key people on the same aircraft,
  thebetter.Ifpossible,separatethefollowingpersonnel:
  (cid:122) TheABNIBCTcommanderfromhisexecutiveofficerandbattalioncommanders.
  (cid:122) Thebattalioncommanderandhiscompanycommanders.
  (cid:122) Thebrigadeexecutiveofficer,andthebrigadeS-3.
  (cid:122) Thebattalionexecutiveofficer,andS-3fromthesamebattalion.
  (cid:122) TheprimaryABNIBCTandbattalionstaffofficersandtheirassistants.
  (cid:122) Thecompanycommander,executiveofficer,andfirstsergeantfromthesamecompany.