the Army of Excellence. The airborne division also has certain limitations.
It is dependent on Air Force aircraft for long-range movement.
It also
possesses limited ground mobility for both personnel and equipment.
The air assault division has unique capabilities provided by its heliborne
assets. Because of its intensive training in airmobile operations and its
mobility, air assault infantry is well suited to bypass the enemy's forward
defenses and strike deep. 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.
The organization of the infantry division has been established to provide
the flexibility to accomplish a wide variety of missions, on differing
terrain, and against a variety of threat situations.
An important
characteristic of the infantry battalion is its lack of mobility. They are
limited to foot mobility unless motorized, mechanized, or provided aircraft.
Infantry battalions can be attached to mechanized or armored divisions.
This is done to increase their infantry strength. They have the ability to
fight against any threat on any terrain and are suited for close-in fighting
against a force with equal mobility.
The infantry division is limited by
its inability to move quickly unless provided with transportation. It has
both limited air lift and ground capability.
The mission of the light infantry division is to rapidly deploy to defeat
light enemy forces on contingency operations, or to reinforce forward
deployed forces on close terrain. Close terrain is restrictive to heavier
combat forces. The most unique aspect associated with the light division is
its rapid deployability.
When we think of this division performing its
mission, we should think "rapid response" and "short execution periods" of
its assigned mission.
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