So far we have covered, in depth, the organizations, capabilities,
limitations, and weapon systems of the heavy division and the airborne
division. Next, we will consider the air assault division.
Air Assault Division
We will present the mission, organization, capabilities, limitations, and
weapon systems of the air assault division. The air assault division is a
unique organization of the Army of Excellence.
There is only one air
assault division in the current structure of the US Army. The air assault
division is an asset to commanders in terms of deep battle forces capable of
influencing the AirLand Battle with ground troops.
The Mission of the Air Assault Division
Like all other types of divisions, the air assault division has the mission
to destroy threat armed forces and to control land areas including
populations and resources.
The air assault division can be assigned the
same mission as any other infantry unit in the Army of Excellence structure.
However, because of the unique capabilities provided by the heliborne assets
of the air assault division, there are more suitable missions for the
division that we should consider.
Because of its intensive training in
airmobile operations and its mobility, air assault infantry is well suited
to bypass the enemy's forward defenses. The air assault infantry is suited
to attack the following:
o
Command posts.
o
Logistical bases.
o
Communication facilities.
o
Bridges.
o
Road junctions.
o
Other forces' ground operations.
Once enemy air defense weapons are suppressed, air assault infantry can
bypass obstacles, difficult terrain, and contaminated areas. It can delay
and conduct wide area surveillance. It can also form a reserve capable of
assisting in the rapid exploitation of success.
Current "How to Fight" manuals stress that the air assault division combines
a high degree of strategic mobility with an extremely high degree of
tactical mobility within the target area or area of operation.
The air
assault division uses organic helicopters to move combat, combat support,
and combat service support units on and about the battlefield. This gives
the division the ability to deploy and redeploy rapidly to engage the enemy
and operate over a wide area.
This makes air assault units an excellent
asset in support of the deep battle.
Within the air assault division, an air assault battalion may be
assigned any of the standard combat missions.
It is particularly
suited for offensive or delay missions where its mobility can be
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