Mission Operations: Air Assault Operations

Question 1

What are some of the publications for reference on Air Assault Operations?

Answer 1

FM 3-99, FM 3-04, ATP 3-04.1, ABOS, ABOS ANNEX A

Question 2

What is an Air Assault?

Answer 2

An air assault is the movement of friendly assault forces by RW aircraft to engage and destroy enemy forces or to seize and hold key terrain (JP 3-18)

Question 3

Which publication lays out the reverse planning process? What is it?

Answer 3

A) FM 3-99
B)
1. Ground Tactical Plan
2. Landing Plan
3. Air Movement Plan
4. Loading Plan
5. Staging Plan

Question 4

What should be specified in WARNORD1 that initiates an Air Assault? What else should be provided?

Answer 4

A) WARNORD 1
- Ground commander’s scheme of maneuver.
- Estimate of the size of the force to be air assaulted.
- Likely PZs and HLZs.
- AATFC intent on number of lifts and general timeline.
- Initial estimate on requirements for attack or reconnaissance aircraft
B)
- Air assault task force (AATF) organization details and key personnel.
- Initial planning conference details.
- Air mission coordination meeting (AMCM) details.

Question 5

What are the meetings / rehearsals in order of the air assault planning process?

Answer 5

1. Initial Planning Conference (IPC)
2. Air Mission Coordination Meeting (AMCM)
3. Air Mission Brief (AMB)
4. Combined Arms Rehearsal (Air Assault Task Force Rehearsal)
5. Aircrew Brief (Aircrew Operations Order)
6. Aviation Task Force Rehearsal

Question 6

What should be covered in the Ground Tactical Plan provided to the ATF?

Answer 6

• Task organization for combat. The number and type of maneuver, support, and sustainment elements essential to mission accomplishment.
• Fires. Systems available and within range to provide joint SEAD and strike HLZs and the
  objective, such as field artillery, attack or reconnaissance aircraft, CAS, and EW assets.
• Scheme of maneuver. How the commander intends to maneuver the ground force from the HLZ to accomplish the mission, seize assigned objectives, and exfiltrate if required.
• Commander’s intent. The method of execution and end state that triggers subsequent plans including―
   Location of the force (land on, or near, the objective and maneuver to it).
   The value of surprise versus SEAD and other preparatory fires.
   Supporting fires guidance.
   Observation plan guidance.
   Use of attack or reconnaissance assets including when and which units transition from area
  security under AMC control to support the ground tactical plan under the AATFC/ground
  tactical commander.
   Laager sites in support of PZ operations during extraction.
   Medical and casualty evacuation.

Question 7

• Squads should not be divided between _______.
• Platoons should remain in one ________.
• A company should not be divided between different _____ or ________________.

Answer 7

• Chalks
• Serial
• Lifts or PZ locations

Question 8

What are the required products for an AMB?

Answer 8

Air Movement Table
Communications Card
Pickup Zone Diagrams
HLZ Diagrams
Operations Sketches
Route Cards
Execution Checklist

Question 9

What should be included in the HLZ Status Report? Who Makes the Report?

Answer 9

A)
- HLZ Conditions
- HLZ Obstacles
- Enemy Situation
- Friendly Situation (as applicable)
- Recommendation to AATFC
B) The element providing the update call (FW, UAS, Scouts, etc.)

Question 10

What is the final HLZ update called and what three categories?

Answer 10

A) Cherry / Ice / Hot
B)
- Cherry: does not meet “go” criteria
- Ice: meets “go” criteria

Question 11

What are the time / direction / distance criteria for landing to the HLZ during an air assault?

Answer 11

• Land plus or minus 50 meters from the ground tactical plan intended landing point (as per air
  mission brief) (+).
• Land plus or minus 30 seconds from the air movement table touchdown time (+).
• Land plus or minus 15 degrees from the planned landing heading (wind dependent)

Question 12

What are the advantages / disadvantages of a two-side off-load?

Answer 12

A) Advantages: fastest
B) Disadvantages: decreases door gunnery sector of fires = increased vulnerability

Question 13

What are the advantages / disadvantages of a one-side off-load?

Answer 13

A) Advantages: simplifies control, increases door gunnery sector of fires on one side
B) Disadvantages: slowest, leaves aircraft / crew / GF exposed the longest

Question 14

What are some of the specific air assault missions that require additional consideration?

Answer 14

Artillary Raid
FRIES / SPIES
Airborne Operations
Rappelling
Personnel Recovery Operations

Question 15

How are initial communications checks conducted?

Answer 15

A. Before the commo check is initiated individual crews should set all radios to GPS time and check SATCOM, HF, and Digital Communications (BFT, JVMF, Video Data Link), with the Command Post.

B. Lead initiates the commo check using at the briefed time (secure and FH).

⚫ FM1 (“1-1 on FM 1”)

⚫ UHF (“1-1 on Uniform”)

⚫ VHF (“1-1 on Victor”)

⚫ FM2 (“1-1 on FM 2…and is Green on SATCOM, Digital, and BFT”)

⚫ Subsequent Chalks Respond in order (“1-2 on FM 1. 1-2 on Uniform…”)

C. If the subsequent chalk does not respond within 10 seconds, the next chalk continues the commo check.

D. Lead announces commo check complete or directs troubleshooting as required and the AMC reassigns duties based on radio status as required

Question 16

What do the brevity terms SMASH ON/OFF, CLOAK, and LIGHTBULB mean?

Answer 16

A) SMASH ON/OFF: Turn anti-collision light on/off
B) CLOAK: Switch to covert lighting
C) LIGHTBULB: Switch all position lights to bright

Question 17

What lighting configuration indicates that maintenance support wi required?

Answer 17

Positions lights to “flash bright”

Question 18

What are the taxi and line-up procedures?

Answer 18

If Taxi and line-up is possible:

a. Lead set in a position that allows separation for minimum power takeoff for all aircraft in the flight, and at LEAD’s discretion, orient as necessary to observe the flight.

b. All other aircraft will orient in the take-off direction in the briefed formation.

c. Each aircraft in the flight, except for Trail, will turn off their anti-collision light when REDCON 1.

d. Once all anti-collision lights are extinguished, Trail initiates REDCON 1 report in REVERSE chalk order. When LEAD reports “REDCON 1”, the flight is ready for take-off.

⚫ Alternatively, if METT-C considerations require reduction of radio calls, once all aircraft in the serial turn off anti-collision lights in sequence, the flight is REDCON 1 and Trail will call “Flight, REDCON 1”. Expect departure on time or within 5 seconds.

e. Lead will take off on time, unless dictated otherwise (AMC, ATC).

f. Lead will provide warning call a minimum 5 seconds prior to departure.

g. By exception, any aircraft not able to make take off time will advise lead.

h. All A/C must maintain visual contact with the A/C ahead of them in the flight.

i. Lead will take off and smoothly accelerate to 60 KIAS, climbing < 500fpm, and use ½ standard rate turns unless briefed otherwise.

j. When the flight is formed, Trail will call “(Lead), (Trail), SADDLED, FENCE OUT”.

k. Once a flight, Lead will transition the flight to mission profile as briefed.

Question 19

What are the procedures for simultaneous departures from different locations?

Answer 19

For simultaneous departures from different locations aircraft report REDCON 1 in REVERSE chalk order.

a. After LEAD reports the flight is REDCON 1, Lead will take off on time, unless dictated otherwise (AMC/ATC, etc.).

b. Lead will provide a minimum 5 seconds warning prior to departure.

c. LEAD will depart and Call “1-1 is UP” when the aircraft is up and out of its position. Lead will depart to the SP at 60 KIAS or as briefed.

d. Subsequent aircraft will depart with a 5-second separation or as environmental conditions permit. Each aircraft will call in the air (“1-2 is UP”). All aircraft should maintain visual contact with the aircraft ahead of them if possible and will follow the briefed route accelerating to join the flight. By exception, aircraft not able to make take off time will advise lead.

e. As aircraft close within 10 rotor disks, adjust closure rate to <10 KIAS above the briefed airspeed. Do not fixate on the preceding chalk. Close on a parallel course to judge closure rate and reduce the risk of collision.

f. At ten rotor disks separation announce “CHALK # CLOSING.” The preceding aircraft acknowledges the CLOSING call by responding with “ROGER, CHALK # is CLOSING” and then display briefed formation lighting. When trail aircraft has closed with the formation it will announce “(Lead), (Trail), SADDLED, FENCE OUT.” Lead will acknowledge the “SADDLED” call and accelerate to the briefed enroute airspeed.

Question 20

What is the procedure for a TOWRICO departure?

Answer 20

TOWRICO departures are typically utilized after insertion of troops in a high threat environment. The purpose is the expeditious departure of aircraft /personnel from LZ’s minimizing exposure of aircraft to the enemy.

a. To execute a TOWRICO departure, the aircraft, in chalk order will take-off when ready and announce “CHALK # is UP” after reaching an altitude and/or position to observe other departing aircraft. After the previous CHALK reports in the air, subsequent chalks will depart similarly in chalk order.

Question 21

What are the procedures for executing a “Lame Duck”?

Answer 21

“LAME DUCK” procedures: During a TOWRICO departure, if an aircraft experiences any delays, it can put all subsequent aircraft at risk. Any aircraft experiencing significant delays (1 minute or as briefed) will announce chalk position and “LAME DUCK.”

a. The LAME DUCK aircraft now becomes the trail aircraft.

b. All aircraft will join the flight following the procedures previously discussed: Close on a parallel course until within 10 rotor disks, adjust closure rate to <10 KIAS above the briefed airspeed. Announce “CHALK # CLOSING” when at 10 rotor disks. Preceding aircraft acknowledges the CLOSING call by responding with “ROGER, CHALK # CLOSING” and then display briefed formation lighting. When trail aircraft has closed with the formation it will announce “SADDLED with # in flight and FENCE OUT.” Lead will acknowledge the “SADDLED” call and accelerates as briefed.

c. When LAME DUCK procedures are executed, the AMC will decide if the LAME DUCK aircraft assumes TRAIL duties or if the flight is reconfigured.

Question 22

What are your fence in / out or level off checks?

Answer 22

W - Weapons safe / armed as required
A - ASE and countermeasure dispenser set
I - IFF / Transponder mode set / on as required
L - Lighting as briefed
R - Recorder on
M - MFD configured

Question 23

What are the procedures for an inflight link up?

Answer 23

a. The AMC will establish a common link-up point. Preferably an ACP on the route.

b. AMC will establish an arrival sequence at the link-up point.

c. AMC will determine the base altitude, airspeed, and lighting for the first aircraft to reach the link-up point. It is preferred the aircraft continue on the route at airspeed that allows the other aircraft to join the flight.

d. If it is determined aircraft must hold at an ACP, they will hold on the far side of the ACP (consider threat). Subsequent aircraft will not proceed past the ACP until they are able to safely join the flight. The threat will determine the altitude to arrive at the link-up point (ACP) consider an altitude separation of >200’ above the preceding aircraft’s altitude. However, the threat may prevent this from being a viable means to link-up.

e. As aircraft approach the formation, they will announce their arrival and Chalk #.

f. Once established visual contact, aircraft will descend to the briefed base altitude for the holding pattern.

g. When the trail aircraft has closed with the formation, it will announce, “SADDLED.”

h. Lead will acknowledge the “SADDLED” and accelerate to normal enroute airspeed.

i. Aircraft will depart the holding pattern in Chalk order per the AMC’s guidance.

Question 24

What are the levels of rotor disk separation?

Answer 24

Tight: 1-2
Close: 3-5
Loose: 6-10
Extended: >10

Question 25

What are the different kinds of formations?

Answer 25

Trail
Stag left/right
Echelon left/right
UPDATE

Question 26

How do you execute a formation change?

Answer 26

Formation Changes announced by Flight Lead or directed by the AMC.

a. Lead announces “At my command execute (formation), acknowledge.”
b. All aircraft acknowledge in chalk order.
c. Lead announces “Execute (Formation).”
d. Flight moves to new formation per AOPORD or as directed by Flight Lead/AMC.
e. Trail announces “SADDLED” once flight is in the new formation.

Question 27

How do you execute a lead change?

Answer 27

A lead change will be initiated by the lead aircraft.

a. Lead announces “LEAD CHANGE (Right or Left),” indicating request for lead change and which side of the formation Lead intends to exit.
b. All aircraft acknowledge in chalk order.
c. Lead makes a heading change of 30-90 degrees, departing the formation and maneuvers the aircraft to a minimum of 8 rotor disks to the announced side.
d. Subsequent chalk advises when the former lead has attained the proper separation.
e. The former lead then adjusts their flight path to parallel the formation and reduces airspeed by 10 KIAS.
f. As each aircraft in formation passes, they announce “Chalk #, CLEAR”.
g. In most cases requiring a lead change, the former lead will assume trail position within the flight. If it is determined the former lead aircraft requires constant observation (due to malfunction or lost commo) the AMC will direct position within the flight. The subsequent aircraft will reduce 10 KIAS and increase to a minimum of 10 rotor disks of separation. Subsequent aircraft will call the former lead “Clear to rejoin” the formation in the position in front of subsequent aircraft.
h. Once complete, the trail aircraft will announce “SADDLED”

Question 28

What do the formation brevity terms, SADDLE, CLOSING, OPENING, LAME DUCK, and FLOATING mean?

Answer 28

A) SADDLE: Wingman of element has returned to briefed formation position
B) CLOSING: Decreasing separation
C) OPENING: increasing separation
D) LAME DUCK: Aircraft in a minor state of emergency
E) FLOATING: Expanding the formation laterally within visual limits to maintain visual contacct or prepare for defense response