text: Chapter 5
  Figure 5-2. Parallel on-line drop zones
  5-31. Alternate drop zones or landing zones. Commanders must select alternate drop zones or landing
  zonestocompensateforchangesthatmayoccur.
  5-32. Number of drop zones or landing zones. The number of drop zones to be used by the assault
  parachuteechelon ofanABNIBCTdependsonthenumber,size, andrelativepositionofsuitablesites;the
  ABN IBCT plan of maneuver; and the expected enemy situation. The maneuver battalions of an ABN
  IBCT can land successivelyon the same drop zone, on separate battalion drop zones, oron adjacent areas
  within a single large ABN IBCT drop zone. Advantages and disadvantages of each drop zone is address
  below:
  (cid:122) Single BCT drop zone. The use of a single ABN IBCT drop zone on which battalions land
  successivelyhasthefollowingadvantages:
  Itpermitsgreaterflexibilityintheplanofmaneuverandthe planofsupportingfires.
  (cid:132)
  Itfacilitatescoordinatingandcontrollingassaultbattalions.
  (cid:132)
  Itappliestheprincipleofmass.
  (cid:132)
  Itmakeslogisticalsupporteasier.
  (cid:132)
  Itdecreasestheareaofvulnerability.
  (cid:132)
  (cid:122) Theuseof a singledropzonehasthefollowingdisadvantages:
  Itslowsthebuildupofcombatpower.
  (cid:132)
  Itcauseslaterairliftsortiestobevulnerabletoenemyairbecauseofthelossofsurprise.
  (cid:132)
  Itallowstheenemytoemphasizehisefforts.
  (cid:132)
  (cid:122) Separate battalion drop zones. The use of separate battalion drop zones has the following
  advantages:
  ItincreasesreadinessforactionbydeployingtheABNIBCTasitlands.
  (cid:132)
  Itreducesconfusiononthedropzonesduringthelandingandreorganizing.
  (cid:132)
  Ittendstodeceivetheenemyastotheintentionandstrengthofthelandingforce.
  (cid:132)
  Itmakescaptureofthe ABNIBCTobjectiveeasierwhenthereisstrongoppositiononone
  (cid:132)
  dropzone.
  Itincreasesthefreedomofmaneuveroftheassaultbattalions.
  (cid:132)
  (cid:122) Theuseofseparatebattaliondropzoneshasthefollowingdisadvantages:
  Itmakesmissioncommandmoredifficult.
  (cid:132)