Air Assault Operations

Question 1

FM 3-99

Answer 1

Airborne and Air assault operations

Question 2

What does air assault support?

Answer 2

Offensive, defensive, and stability operations throughout the depth and breadth of the AO

Question 3

Air Assault definition

Answer 3

Movement of friendly assault forces by RW aircraft to engage and destroy enemy forces or to seize and hold key terrain

Question 4

Air Assault Task Force Commander (AATFC)

Answer 4

-Highest ranking maneuver commander
-Controls the battle from A2C2 aircraft or from the tactical operations center

Question 5

Ground Tactical Commander (GTC)

Answer 5

-AATFCs subordinate maneuver commanders
-On the first serial into the objective area, communicating with the AATFC during the flight

Question 6

Air Assault Task Force operations officer (S-3)

Answer 6

-Assists the AATFC
-Leads the AATFC tactical command post when AATFC is airborne

Question 7

Air Mission Commander (AMC)

Answer 7

-Commander or the commander’s designated representative who leads a tactical mission
-Makes final decisions on the coordination and employment of all elements
-Manages the overall conduct and flow of the mission

Question 8

Aviation Liaison Officer (LNO)

Answer 8

-Represents supporting aviation task force
-Subject matter expert

Question 9

Brigade Aviation Officer (BAO)

Answer 9

-Coordinates plans between ground force and all aviation assets
-Permanent staff to the BCT, advising AATFC on general aviation capabilities

Question 10

Fire Support Officer (FSO0

Answer 10

-Plans, coordinates, and synchronizes fires

Question 11

Flight Lead

Answer 11

-Leads the flight according to the mission brief and commander’s intent
-Selects routes

Question 12

What key personnel serves as the subject matter expert?

Answer 12

Aviation Liaison Officer (LNO)

Question 13

Limitations of AATF

Answer 13

-Extreme weather conditions
-Threat aircraft, air defense, and electronic warfare
-Suitable PZ/LZ

Question 14

Vulnerabilities of AATF

Answer 14

-Attack by aircraft/air defense weapons during movement phase
-Small arms fire
-Electronic Warfare
-Air strikes

Question 15

Adverse weather, extreme heat and cold, and other environmental conditions are considered________ of AATF

Answer 15

Limitations

Question 16

Purpose of initial planning conference____

Answer 16

-Ensure common information
-Understand distance & general time involved for each lift
-Output of refined WARNORD

Question 17

Purpose of Air Mission Coordination Meeting____

Answer 17

-80 to 90 percent solution on their requirements
-Combat power required to each HLZ
-Plans finalized

Question 18

Purpose of Air Mission Brief

Answer 18

-Decision Brief from staff to AATFC for approval

Question 19

What is the Decision Brief from th AATF staff to the AATFC for approval?

Answer 19

Air Mission Brief (AMB)

Question 20

Purpose of Combined Arms/AATF rehearsal___

Answer 20

-Ensures synchronization across entirety
-Confirms air routes support ground tactical plan
-Confirms synchronization of maneuver and fire support control measures

Question 21

Purpose of Aircrew operation order__

Answer 21

-Oriented to the aviation-specific needs
-Includes logistics; aviation maintenance, aircraft recovry teams, fuel, or ammunition

Question 22

Purpose of aviation Task Force Rehearsal__

Answer 22

-Participating aircrews conduct detailed rehearsal
-Aviation oriented details and plans
-Flight profiles or aviation related contingencies

Question 23

Air assaults are planned in ____ to ensure timing and synchronization

Answer 23

Reverse Sequence

Question 24

What are the 5 stages of the reverse planning sequence?

Answer 24

1)Ground tactical plan
2)Landing plan
3)Movement Plan
4)Loading plan
5)Stagging plan

Question 25

What is the foundation of a successful air assault?

Answer 25

Ground tactical plan

Question 26

LZ selection considerations….

Answer 26

-Location
-Capacity
-Enemy disposition
-Unit tactical integrity
-Supporting Fires
-Obstacles
-Orientation

Question 27

Landing plan considerations

Answer 27

-Land in order of assault
-Serial flights as a team
-Maintain appropriate separation of serials
-Land +- 50 M from intended landing point
-Land +/- 30 sec from planned time
-Land +/- 15 from the planning heading
-Unload ground forces <30sec

Question 28

Landing zone status reports

Answer 28

-HLZ Condition
-Obstacles
-Update enemy situation
-Updated friendly situation
-Recommendation to the AATFC

Question 29

What HLZ final update call indicates enemy activity on or near the landing zone above the AATFC’s acceptable level?

Answer 29

Cherry, Hot

Question 30

Considerations in response to hot LZ____

Answer 30

-Fight through contact
-Divert to next HLZ in PACE plan
-Abort remaining serials
-Delay serials and execute direct/indirect fire plan

Question 31

Air Movement Plan provides___

Answer 31

-Air routes
-En route formations
-Terrain flight modes
-Fires
-Suppression of enemy air defense
-Air assault security
-Mission Command

Question 32

PZ Selection__

Answer 32

-Number
-Size
-Proximity to troops
-Accessibility
-Vulnerability to attack
-Surface conditions

Question 33

Responsibilities of PZ control officer (PZCO)

Answer 33

-Responsible for overall success of all PZ activities
-Establishes control over the PZ
-Plans/Initiates security
-Establishes communication
-Ensures PZ clear of obstacles
-Marks PZ

Question 34

Definition of Lift, Serial, Chalk…

Answer 34

Lift; All A/C assigned to the mission who will make a rotation to the landing zone

Serial; Tactical grouping of two or more A/C under the control of a serial commander

Chalk; Each A/C within the lift

Question 35

To maintain unit fighting, infantry squads will be assigned to a _______, platoons will remain in the same______, and companies will remain within the same _____.

Answer 35

Chalk, Serial, Lift