text: Chapter 13
  Loading and Staging
  The activities thattake place in or nearthe pickup zone are referredto as pickup zone
  operations. These activities include both the loading and staging plan. Like the
  previous steps in the air assault planning process, these plans support and are based
  on the steps before them. Pickup zone operations are a collaborative effort between
  the supported unit (maneuver forces that compose the assault force) and the
  supporting aviation unit. The assault force is organized on the pickup zone. Every
  serial and lift is a self-contained element that must understand what it does upon
  landing at either the primary or the alternate landing zone and later in executing the
  ground tactical plan. Planning for insertion and extraction follows the same process
  and requires the same forethought and attention to detail. Insertion and extraction
  plans are developed during the air assault planning process and coordinated with all
  supporting units at the initial planning conference or air mission coordination
  meeting (AMCM). Both insertion and extraction loading and staging plans should be
  rehearsedattheairassaulttaskforce(AATF),aviation,and assaultforcerehearsals.
  SECTION I – LOADING PLAN
  13-1. TheloadingplanensuresthatSoldiers, equipment, andsuppliesareloaded onthe correctaircraftand
  movedfromthe pickupzonetothelandingzoneinthepriorityorderdesignatedbytheairassaulttaskforce
  commander (AATFC). The air movement table is the planning document that details how to execute this.
  At the company level and below, leaders use an air-loading table to document how the loading plan is
  executed. The basic information found in the air-loading table is found in the air movement table.
  Considerationstodevelopaloadingplanaredescribedbelow.
  PICKUP ZONE SELECTION
  13-2. Operations requiring the pick up or extraction of personnel may require special considerations
  dependent on the mission and or element requiring support. When the pickup zone or mission prevents a
  helicopter from landing, the mission may require the use of the special patrol infiltration and exfiltration
  system(SPIES).(RefertoFM3-05.210formoreinformation.)
  IDENTIFYINGPICKUPZONES
  13-3. Identifying pickup zones is the first step in developing a loading plan. The goal of pickup zone
  identification is to locate suitable areas to accommodate the lift aircraft. Identify primary and alternate
  pickupzonesatthesametime.
  PICKUPZONEOPERATION
  13-4. Establishing and running a pickup zone to standard is the first step in executing a successful air
  assault. The number of pickup zones selected depends on the number and type of aircraft and loads
  required to complete the mission. The mission may require the designation of both a light pickup zone
  (UH-60) and a heavy pickup zone (CH-47). Based on his unit’s level of training, the air mission
  commander may adjust the specifications for identifying and selecting pickup zones (such as degree of
  slope,windspeeds,anddistancebetweenaircraft).