text: Chapter 8
  Table 8-2. Medium Combat Aviation Brigade organization
  SECTION III – TASK FORCE CONSIDERATIONS
  8-13. WhenforminganAATF,considerthefollowingfactors:
  (cid:122) Earlyformationofthe AATF. This forceis formedearlyintheplanning stageby a headquarters
  that can allocate dedicated aviation resources. The directing or establishing headquarters
  allocates units and defines authority and responsibility by designating command and support
  relationships. Predesignated and well-understood command and support relationships ensure the
  AATFfightsas a cohesive,coordinated,combinedarmsteam.
  (cid:122) Availability of aviation assets. The warning order (WARNORD) may include task-organizing
  the AATF, which must provide a mission-specific balance of mobility and combat power. The
  AATFnormallyisorganized withsufficientcombatpower to seize initialobjectivesand protect
  landing zones. The required combat power should be delivered to the objective area consistent
  withaircraftandpickupzonecapacitiestotakeadvantageofsurpriseand shockeffect.
  (cid:122) Maintaining unit tactical integrity. When planning loads, squads normally are loaded intact on
  the same helicopter, with platoons located in the same serial, to ensure unit integrity upon
  landing. Toperformitsmission, anAATF mustarrive intactatthelandingzone. Theforcemust
  be tailored to provide en route security and protection from the pickup zone, throughout the
  entireairroute,andatthelandingzone.
  (cid:122) Sufficient sustainment capability. The AATF is organized with a sustainment capability to
  support a rapid tempo until follow-on or linkup forces arrive, or until the mission is completed.
  Unitsthatsupporttheair assaultoperationnormallyareplaced indirectsupportto theAATFto
  ensureclose coordinationandcontinuous,dedicatedsupportthroughout anoperation.Normally,