Air Assault operations are actions in which assault forces, using the mobility of rotary-wing assets (helicopters) and the total integration of available firepower (artillery, mortars, CAS), maneuver under the control of a ground or air maneuver commander to engage enemy forces or to seize and hold key terrain and/or key OBJs. For the purpose of this guide, and resources available, the U.S. Army Air Assault model will be used.
Air Assault Operations Introduction
Current example: Combat Aviation Brigade Force Structure - 82nd Airborne
AAOs are precisely planned and vigorously executed combat operations. They allow forces to target OBJs over:
• Extended distances
• Terrain barriers
To attack the enemy forces:
• When and where he is most vulnerable
• In the vertical envelopment dimension
Air Assault vs. Air Movement
Air Movements are operations involving the use of utility and cargo rotary-wing aircraft and operational support fixed-wing assets for other than AAOs such as moving the troops in a non tactical fashion from the AA (Assembly Area) to the PLZ (Pick-up Landing Zone). Once at the PLZ, the Air Movement finishes and the tactical movement begins.
CAB (Combat Aviation Brigade) Force Structure
Step 1: Planning
METT-TC
Planning is based on precise analysis of the mission (METT-TC) and reverse planning.
The 5 major points of the reverse planning sequence comprise:
• Ground tactical plan
• Landing plan
• Air movement plan
• Loading plan
• Staging plan
Ground Tactical Plan This plan is the building blockt of the operation and must be done first. Everything done after this is to support this plan.
*** It is important to remember that AAOs are to be viewed as a method of insertion and are executed to achieve a Ground Tactical Plan that would not otherwise be available without the use of rotary winged aircraft. ***
As AAOs pertain to gaming:
• Can a recon be performed with 'eyes on' or UAV/UGV?
• What faction are you fighting?
• Type of weapon systems does the enemy faction posses (vehicle mounted AA vs. dismounted AA)
• What are the enemy known facts vs assumptions?
• What can you do to change assumptions into facts?
• Should you seek out a HLZ that is further back but safer?
• Do you have support (MEDEVAC, CAS, artillery, mortar, etc)? • Do you have battlefield sustainment (ammo/equipment)?
Make sure to practice:
• Slingloading
• Fast roping
• Actions on landing
• 'Hot' vs 'cold' HLZ actions on the ground
Step 2: Ground Tactical Plan
This plan is the building block of the operation and must be done first. Everything done after this is to support this plan.
The goals of the GTP should mirror those of the OPORD and specifically paragraph 2: MISSION
The non-tactical Air Movement can be made by any means, such as in the illustration above where a fixed wing (C-130/141/5A) is used for transport vehicles to the Assembly Area. From there the troops/equipment is/are brought to the Pick-up Zone for the tactical Air Movement portion of the phase.
Step 5: Loading and Staging Plan
Responsibilities
PLZ Diagram
Load Manifest
This Load Manifest example shows the tactical Air Movement from the Pick-up Zone.
Step 6: PZ Extraction
Step 7: Force Multipliers
CAS brief for non-JTAC troops
9 Line MEDEVAC
Artillery Call for Fire
Definitions
Air Assault The movement of friendly assault forces by rotary-wing aircraft to engage and destroy enemy forces or to seize and hold key terrain.
Serial A serial is a tactical grouping of two or more aircraft under the control of a serial commander (aviator) and separated from other tactical groupings within the lift by time or space.
Chalk A chalk comprises personnel and equipment designated to be moved by a specific aircraft.
Lift Each time all aircraft assigned to the mission pick up troops or equipment and set them down on the LZ, a lift is completed.
Conclusions
Air Assault is not to be confused with Air Movement.
AAOs are complex plans that need to be well planned and practiced before mission time.
Coordination is key to synchronize: • Other units supporting the mission