* Airborne operations can be conducted out to the maximum range of air strikes,
missile strikes, and the artillery of advancing ground forces.
* Air assault operations are normally limited to 50 kilometers beyond the
forward edge of the battle area (FEBA).
* Air assault operations are critical in support of river-crossings, to seize
advantageous terrain as a forward detachment of advancing forces during
pursuit and mountain operations.
* During air assault operations, helicopters will fly as low as 50 meters and
will use terrain to mask their approach.
Figures 7-11 and 7-12 show examples of doctrinal templates for an air assault
operation and airborne operation.
Once the airborne or air assault forces are on the LZ and OZ, doctrinal template
development is similar to that accomplished for light infantry operations. This
development must consider that doctrine calls for a 1-hour consolidation period on
the LZ or DZ prior to beginning movement to the objective. Templating must also
consider that although some heavy equipment may be landed or dropped with the
forces, units will still lack tank, long-range artillery, heavy engineer, and heavy
antitank (AT) support.
Airborne and air assault operations are not conducted without supporting forces
attempting to move towards the same objective. Without relief, airborne forces are
soon overwhelmed and destroyed. It is, therefore, necessary to relieve these
forces with regular units as soon as possible.
PART E - THREAT INTEGRATION
Like IPB for other areas and battlefield functions, airspace analysis relates the
enemy's air, air defense, counterair, and airborne or air assault doctrine to the
effects of the weather and terrain, to help determine how the enemy will employ the
enemy's air-associated assets. It also helps determine how the weather, terrain,
and enemy air and air defense forces can affect friendly air-associated operations.
As with other battlefield functions, airspace threat integration is accomplished
through the development of situation, event, and decision support templates.
IT 0462
7-22
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