CHAPTER EIGHT

ARMY AVIATION
8.1. GENERAL
Army aviation and infantry units can be fully integrated with other members of
the combined arms team to form powerful and flexible air assault task forces that
can project combat power throughout the entire depth, width, and breadth of the
modern battlefield with little regard for terrain barriers. These combat operations
are deliberate, precisely planned, and vigorously executed. They are assigned to
strike the enemy when and where he is most vulnerable (See Chapter 2, pages
2-6 & 2-22, AIR Movement Annex, 2-32 Army Aviation coordination).

8-2. AIR ASSAULT.

a. Successful air assault execution is based on a careful analysis of METT-TC
and detailed, precise reverse planning. Five basic plans that comprise the
reverse planning sequence are developed for each air assault operation.
They are:
(1) Ground Tactical Plan. The foundation of a successful air assault operation
is the commander’s ground tactical plan. All additional plans must support
this plan. The plan specifies actions in the objective area to ultimately
accomplish the mission and address subsequent operations.
(2) The Landing Plan. The landing plan must support the ground tactical
plan. This plan outlines a sequence of events that allows elements to
move into the area of operations, and ensures that units arrive at
designated locations at prescribed times prepared to execute the ground
tactical plan.
(3) The Air Movement Plan. The air movement plan is based on the ground
tactical and landing plans. It specifies the schedule and provides
instructions for air movement of troops, equipment, and supplies from PZs
to LZs.
(4) The Loading Plan. The loading plan is based on the air movement plan.
It ensures that troops, equipment, and supplies are loaded on the correct
aircraft. Unit integrity is maintained when aircraft loads are planned.
Cross-loading may be necessary in order to ensure survivability of
command and control assets, and the mix of weapons arriving at the LZ
are ready to fight.
(5) The Staging Plan. The staging plan is based on the loading plan and
prescribes the arrival time of ground units (troops, equipment and
supplies) at the PZ in the order of movement

b. The battalion is the lowest level that has sufficient personnel to plan,
coordinate, and control air assault operations. When company size or lower
operations are conducted, the bulk of the planning takes place at battalion or
higher headquarters.

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c. Selection and Marking of PZs/LZs.
(1) Small unit leaders should consider the following when selecting a PZ/LZ:
(a) Size. Minimal circular landing point separation from other aircraft and
obstacles is needed:
• Observation helicopters – 25 meters
• UH-1, AH-1 – 35 meters
• UH-60, AH-64 – 50 meters
• Cargo helicopters – 80 meters
(b) Surface conditions. Avoid potential hazards e.g. sand, blowing dust,
snow, tree stumps, large rocks.
(c) Ground slope.
• 0% - 6 % -- land upslope
• 7% - 15% -- land sideslope
• over 15% -- no touchdown (aircraft may hover)
(d) Obstacles. An obstacle clearance ratio of 10 to 1 is used in planning
approach and departure of the PZ and LZ (Eg: a ten foot tall tree
requires 100 feet of horizontal distance for approach or departure).
Obstacles will be marked with a red chem light at night or red panels
during the daytime. Markings will not be used if they cause the
position to be seen by the enemy.
(e) Approach/Departure. Approach and departure are made into the wind
and along the long axis of the PZ/LZ.
(f) Loads. The greater the load, the larger the PZ/LZ must be to
accommodate the insertion or extraction.
(2) Marking PZs and LZs.
(a) Day. A ground guide will mark the PZ or LZ for the lead aircraft by
holding an M16/M4 rifle over his head, by displaying a folded VS-17
panel chest high, or by other coordinated and identifiable means.
(b) Night. The code letter Y (Inverted Y) is used to mark the landing point
of the lead aircraft at night (figure 8-1). Chemical lights or “beanbag”
lights are used to maintain light discipline. A swinging chem light may
also be used to mark the landing point.

Figure 8-1. Inverted Y.

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d. Air Assault Formations. Aircraft supporting an operation may use any of the
following PZ/LZ configurations which are prescribed by the Air Assault Task
Force (AATF) Commander working in conjunction with the Air Mission
Commander (AMC):
(1) Heavy Left or Right. Requires a relatively long, wide landing area;
presents difficulty in pre-positioning loads; restricts suppressive fire by
inboard gunners; provides firepower to front and flank.

Figure 8-2. Heavy Left/Heavy Right

(2) Diamond. Allows rapid deployment for all-round security; requires small
landing area; presents some difficulty in pre-positioning loads; restricts
suppressive fire of inboard gunners.

Figure 8-3. Diamond

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(3) Vee. Requires a relatively small landing area; allows rapid deployment of
forces to the front; restricts suppressive fire of inboard gunners; presents
some difficulty in pre-positioning loads.

Figure 8-4. Vee

(4) Echelon Left or Right. Requires a relatively long, wide landing area;
presents some difficulty in pre-positioning loads; allows rapid deployment
of forces to the flank; allows unrestricted suppressive fire by gunners.

Figure 8-5. Echelon Left/Echelon Right

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 (5) Trail. Requires a relatively small landing area; allows rapid deployment of
forces to the flank; simplifies pre-positioning loads; allows unrestricted
suppressive fire by gunners.

Figure 8-6. Trail

(6) Staggered Trail Left or Right. Requires a relatively long, wide landing
area; simplifies pre-positioning loads; allows rapid deployment for all
round security; gunners’ suppressive fire restricted somewhat.

Figure 8-7. Staggered Trail Left/Staggered Trail Right

e. PZ Operations. Prior to arrival of aircraft, the PZ is secured, PZ control party

is positioned, and the troops and equipment are positioned in platoon/squad
assembly areas.
(1) Occupation of patrol/squad assembly area. Patrol leader/squad leader
should accomplish the following:
(a) Maintain all-around security of the assembly area.
(b) Maintain communications.
(c) Organize personnel and equipment into chalks and loads.

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 (d) Conduct safety briefing and equipment check of troops.

An example of a large, one sided PZ is depicted in Figure 8-8.

Figure 8-8. Large, one sided PZ

(2) UH-60 Loading Sequence.

Figure 8-9. UH-60 Loading Sequence.

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 (3) Unloading.

Figure 8-10. Unloading Sequence.

(4) Tactical loading sequence

CREW CREW
SEAT SEAT

SL B B
TM TM
SL
A B B B
TL
TM TM TM TML

TL
A A A A
TM TM TM TML

Figure 8-11.Tactical Loading Sequence

(5) Tactical unloading

NOTE: Is best using 1xdoor, nearest the cover and concealment

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 CREW CREW
SEAT SEAT
SL TL

SL
B B
TM TM

A B B B
TM TM TM TML

A A A A TL
TM TM TM TML

Figure 8-12. Tactical Unloading Using 1 Door

f. Safety. Safety is the primary concern of all leaders when operating in/around
aircraft. The inclusion of aircraft into Ranger operations carries an inherent
“high” risk factor. The following guidelines are to be considered.
(1) Approach the aircraft from 90 degrees to 45 degrees off the
(2) nose.
(3) Weapons with blank firing adapters are pointed muzzles up.
(4) Weapons loaded with live ammunition are muzzles down.
(5) The ballistic helmet is worn.
(6) When possible, an air crew safety brief is conducted with all
(7) personnel. At a minimum it will include loading and offloading,
emergencies, and egress procedures.
(8) Leaders need to carry a manifest and turn a copy into higher.

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