AIR ASSAULT AND PATHFINDER PLANNING TECHNIQUES Flashcards
What is an Air Assault Operation?
Is designed to capitalize on the speed and mobility of the helicopters to achieve surprise
Pathfinder main mission
Provide navigational aid and advisory services to military aircraft
Pathfinder secondary mission
Include providing advice and limited aid to units planning air assault or airdrop operations.
What are the five basic plans that comprise the reverse planning sequence?
- The Ground Tactical Plan
- The Landing Plan
- The Air Movement Plan
- The Loading Plan
- The Staging Plan
What is the lowest level that has sufficient personnel to plan, coordinate, and control an air assault operation?
Battalion
What is the lowest level that can conduct an air assault?
Company
What is capitalized on the Ground Tactical Plan?
Capitalize on speed and mobility in order to achieve surprise.
What are some elements of the Landing Plan?
- The availability, location, and size of the landing area
- Offers flexibility for changes to landing direction and/or formation
- Should include MEDEVAC and re-supply contingencies
Advantages of using a single LZ
- Concentration of combat power in on location
- Concentrate supporting fires in and around the LZ
- Reduces the number of flight routes
- Requires less planning and rehearsal time
Advantages of using multiple LZ
- Avoids grouping assets in one location
- Allow rapid dispersal
- Reduces the enemy’s ability to detect and react to the initial lift
- Eliminates aircraft congestion on one LZ
What is the Air Movement Plan based on?
The Ground Tactical Plan and The Landing Plan
What are the two key elements of the Air Movement Plan?
- Flight routes, with flight route overlays
- Air movement table
The SP is normally located closer than ______ from the PZ.
3 - 5 Km
The RP is normally located closer than ______ from the LZ.
3 - 5 Km
Intercept headings are chosen far enough from the touchdown to allow helicopters in formation a final approach of at least _______
1 - 2 Miles or 2.4 Km
What are the three types of flight routes?
- Restricted
- Flight corridor
- Flight Axis
The flight corridor normally extends _____ on either side of the designated flight route and ______ above.
200 - 300 m and 500 ft
What are the three terrain flight modes?
- Nap-of-the-earth flight
- Contour flight
- Low level flight
What does the Loading plan ensure?
Ensures that troops, equipment, and supplies are loaded on the correct aircraft.
What is a Bump Plan?
Ensures that essential troops and equipment are loaded ahead
Who is responsible for the aircraft bump plan?
1SG or XO
What is the purpose of Tactical Cross Loading
Ensures that all leaders or crew-served weapons are not loaded on that same aircraft
What is the Staging Plan?
Prescribes the arrival time of ground units(Troops, Equipment, and Supplies) at the PZ
Company Commander’s overall responsibility?
Overall responsibility for the Air Assault Operations, He plans the operation, briefs subordinate leaders, issues the OPORD, and conducts rehearsals.
Who can be the PZ control officer?
XO, 1SG, or a Platoon Leader
Who can be the PZ control NCOIC?
1SG, a PSG, Section SGT, or a Squad Leader
The RTO will have two radios on what channel?
one on Combat Aviation Net and one on Company Command Net
The Aircraft Troop Commander / Chalk Leader briefs his personnel on:
- Seating arrangement
- Loading procedures
- Use of Safety belts
- In-flight procedures
- Offloading procedures
What does the Pickup Zone Control Officer do?
Organizes, controls and coordinates operations in PZ’s
Pathfinder Team Responsibilities are
APIG
- Assist PZCO
- Prepare / mark site
- Inspect chalks / sling loads
- Ground-to-air communications
What does the Site Team Leader do?
Reconnoiters, establishes and operates the landing site
Some responsibilities of the site team leader are
- Designating sling-load points
- Emplacing and briefing the GTA radio operator
- Reconnoitering to determine -
long axis
usable area
ground slope
land heading
best landing formation
preparing for day or night operations
What are Extra Pathfinder’s responsibilities?
Operate the GTA radio and the Pathfinder internal radio net, position and operate navigation and assembly aids, and clear or mark obstacles
Four factors dictate the number of extra pathfinders employed:
- Size of the landing site
- Expected density of the Air Traffic
- The number and type of visual and electronic aids used
- The Tactical Situation
