text: PART II
  Air Assault Operations
  Chapter 8
  Organization and Employment
  An air assault operation isan operation in which assault forces,using the mobility of
  rotary-wing assets and the total integration of available firepower, maneuver under
  the control of a ground or air maneuver commander to engage enemy forces or to
  seize and hold key terrain (JP 3-18). An air assault is a vertical envelopment
  conducted to gain a positional advantage, envelop or turn enemy forces that may or
  may not be in a position to oppose the operation. Ideally, the commander seeks to
  surprise the enemy and achieve an unopposed landing when conducting a vertical
  envelopment. However, the assault force must prepare for the presence of opposition.
  At the tactical level, vertical envelopments emphasize seizing terrain, destroying
  specificenemy forces, andinterdictingenemywithdrawalroutes.
  SECTION I – AIR ASSAULT AND AIR MOVEMENTS
  8-1. Air assaults are not merely movements of Soldiers, weapons, and equipment by Army aviation units
  and should not be considered as such. An air assault is not synonymous with an air movement. They are
  separateanddistinctmissions.
  8-2. An air assault is the movement of friendly assault forces by rotary-wing aircraft to engage and
  destroy enemy forces or to seize and hold key terrain (JP 3-18). It is a precisely planned and vigorously
  executed combat operation. An air assault allows friendly forces to strike over extended distances and
  terrain barriers to attack the enemy when and where it is most vulnerable. Commanders and leaders must
  developaninsightintotheprinciplesgoverningtheirorganizationand employmenttotakeadvantageofthe
  opportunitiesofferedbyanairassault.
  8-3. Air movement is air transport of units, personnel, supplies, and equipment including airdrops and air
  landings (JP 3-17). Army air movements are operations involving the use of utility and cargo rotary-wing
  aircraftand operationalsupportfixed-wingassets for other thanair assaults. Air movementsare conducted
  to move Soldiers and equipment; emplace systems; and transport ammunition, fuel, and other high-value
  supplies. The same general considerations that apply to air assaults apply to air movements. (Refer to
  FM 3-04.113formoreinformation.)
  SECTION II – AIR ASSAULT TASK FORCE
  8-4. Air assaults are accomplished by forming and employing an air assault task force (AATF). The
  AATF is a temporary group of integrated forces tailored to a specific mission under the command of a
  single headquarters. It may include some or all elements of the BCT. The ground or air maneuver
  commander,designatedastheAATFC,commandstheAATF.