text: Air Assault Planning
  Figure 9-3. Time-constrained air assault planning
  9-13. Successful execution of an air assault in a time-constrained environment requires parallel and
  collaborative planning by all units and staffs that are part of or supporting the AATF. Parallel planning
  begins as soon as the mission is received, with the supporting combat aviation brigade providing liaison
  officers or conducting coordination through the ADAM/BAE to the AATF if they are not colocated with
  unit. Through continual coordination with the supporting combat aviation brigade, the ADAM/BAE
  advisestheAATFS-3onlimitationsofaircraftorcrewavailabilityaffectingcourseofactiondevelopment.
  9-14. Oncethe AATFChasprovidedadirected courseofactionorapprovedacourseofaction,thebrigade
  aviation officer immediately begins the air mission coordination meeting (AMCM). To save time by
  reducing the number of meetings, specific portions of the air mission brief are included in the AATF
  OPORDbriefinlieuofdoingaseparateairmissionbrief.WiththeexceptionofthecombinedOPORDand
  air mission brief, mission coordination and planning may be completed by phone, e-mail, video
  teleconferencing, or other mission command systems. Backbriefs, aircrew briefs, and rehearsals still are
  conducted as described earlier. The specific portions of the air mission brief included in the OPORD
  briefare(cid:650)
  (cid:122) Stagingplan.
  (cid:122) Airmovementplan.
  (cid:122) Landingplan.
  (cid:122) Attackreconnaissancecoverage.
  (cid:122) Landingzoneconditioncriteria.
  (cid:122) Weatherdecision.
  (cid:122) Riskassessment.
  RAPID DECISIONMAKING AND SYNCHRONIZATION PROCESS
  9-15. Typically, the AATFC executes air assaults in response to time-sensitive intelligence or rapidly
  changing battlefield conditions. If time is extremely limited, the AATFC may choose to rely on his
  intuition and direct the staff to use the rapid decisionmaking and synchronization process (RDSP). While
  the MDMP seeks the optimal solution, the RDSP seeks a timely and effective solution within the
  commander’s intent, mission, CONOPS, and level of risk. Using the RDSP lets the staffs avoid the time-
  consumingrequirementsofdevelopingand comparing multiple courses of action. (Refer to ADRP 5-0 for
  moreinformation.)