Aircraft and Air Assault Operations

Question 1

Vertical assault operations

Answer 1

 Tactical movements of Marines, weapons, and material by assault support
aircraft to support the ground tactical plan.
 Deliberate, precisely planned and vigorously executed combat operations
designed to allow friendly forces to strike over extended distances and
terrain barriers to attack when and where the enemy is most vulnerable.
 Conducted with maximum speed, flexibility, and timeliness

Question 2

Five Stages of Planning Air Support Operations

Answer 2

1. Ground tactical plan
2. Landing plan
3. Air movement plan
4. Loading plan
   - Loading procedures
   - Tactical loading
   - Loading Sequence
5. Staging Plan
   - Tactical extractions

Question 3

Assault Support Operations Key Personnel

Answer 3

• Mission commander
• Air mission commander (AMC)
• Helicopterborne unit commander (HUC)
• Assault flight leader (AFL)
• Escort flight leader (EFL)

Question 4

Execution of the Vertical Assault - Initial ground actions

Answer 4

1. Initial assault - seizing and establishing landing sites
2. Assault rifle platoon - establish control and clear the sector of enemy resistance
3. Assault rifle company

Question 5

Landing Zone Brief

Answer 5

Mission number 
Location
Frequency
LZ marking
Wind direction and velocity
Elevation/size
Obstacles
Friendly position: direction and distance
Enemy positions: direction and distance
Last fire received: time and type
Direction of fire/distance
Clearance to fire: direction and distance
Approach/retirement
Personnel equipment
Other

Question 6

MAWTS-1 Brief

Answer 6

Zone location
Marked by
Obstacles
Winds are from:\_\_\_
Friendlies
Enemy
Remarks

Question 7

ZIPPO Brief: Zone inspection, planning, preparing and operation

Answer 7

1. Mission Number
2. Unit/Callsign
3. AirO Callsign
4. HC(A) Callsign
5. TAC(A)/FAC(A) Callsign
6. Asslt Flt Cdr Callsign
7. Escort Flt Lead Callsign
8. F/W Coord. Callsign
9. Number/Type Helos
   10.Pickup Coord LZ Description
   11.Drop Coordinates DZ Description
   12.Approach/Retire Rtes
   13.Total Troops/Heliteam Size
   14.Int Cargo Load: Type/Wt
   15.Ext Cargo Load: Type/Wt
   16.Freqs:
   Asslt FM Pri ______ Sec _______
   Asslt UHF Pri ______ Sec _______
   LZ Ctrl Pri ______ Sec _______
   FW Ctrl Pri ______ Sec _______
   WX Mins/Alt Plan
   Pick-up Time/Latest Acceptable
   L-Hour/Latest Acceptable
   Arty Prep Time/End of Mission
   F/W Flt/TOS/Ord F/W CAP/TOS/Ord
   ROE/Clnc to Fire
   Intel
   Fuel Plan
   Medevac (Priority/Precedence)
   Resupply:
   Internal Sorties ______________ Wt ______________ Lifts
   External Sorties ______________ Wt ______________ Lifts
   RTF Procedures
   Penetration Checklist
   MEZ Procedures
   MRRs/Alts/Freqs/IFF

Question 8

Types of LZ Briefs

Answer 8

1. LZ Brief
2. MAWTS-1 Brief
3. ZIPPO Brief: Zone inspection, planning, preparing and operation

Question 9

Assault Support Aircraft Capabilities

Answer 9

CH-46E - 12 combat loaded troops
CH-53D - 24 combat loaded troops
CH-53E - 24 combat loaded troops
MV-22 - 24 combat loaded troops

Question 10

Determine the loading stick organization

Answer 10

• Unit integrity
• Tactical spread loading
• Employ the stick leader

Question 11

Tactical Loading considerations

Answer 11

 Securing the zone.
 Designating a pickup zone coordinator
 Units are to remain covered and concealed as long as possible.
 Conducting a rehearsal.
 For tactical loading, the stick teams will head for the release point when directed.

Question 12

For hot tactical LZ/PZ contingencies

Answer 12

 Conduct immediate action and initiate your fire support plan
 Gain a foothold in the zone, consolidate, and reorganize
 Execute a contingency plan