ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
Page 189 of 440
Offensive Tactics, Techniques, Procedures, and Considerations 07 December 2020 ATP 5-0.2-1 173 Table A-7. Relationship between the air assault planning process and the MDMP The MDMP steps Air assault planning steps Receipt of mission Mission analysis COA analysis COA comparison COA approval Air mission coordination meeting (AMCM) Orders production OPORD brief Air mission brief (AMB) Combined arms rehearsal (CAR) Aircrew brief Aviation task force rehearsal A-77. Air assault planning is based on careful analysis of mission variables and detailed reverse planning. Five basic plans comprise the reverse planning sequence: ground tactical plan, landing plan, air movement plan, loading plan, and staging plan. Ground tactical plan. The ground tactical plan is the foundation of a successful air assault operation and serves as the basis for the five basic plans, with the other four plans supporting the ground tactical plan. The ground unit commander (GUC), develops the ground tactical plan, which specifies actions in the objective area to ultimately accomplish the mission and address subsequent operations. Ideally, it is the same as any other unit mission except that it capitalizes on the speed and mobility of the helicopter to achieve surprise and increase the probability of mission success. Landing plan. The landing plan is a sequenced movement of elements into an area of operation, ensuring that units arrive at designated locations and times prepared to execute the ground tactical plan. Air movement plan. The air movement plan is based on both the ground tactical plan and the landing plan. It is a detailed schedule of events and instructions for the air movement of troops, equipment, and supplies from the pickup zone to the landing zone. It also provides coordinating instructions regarding air routes, air control points, and aircraft speeds, altitudes, and formations. Loading plan. The loading plan is based on the air movement plan. It insures that troops, equipment, and supplies are loaded on the correct aircraft and moved from the pickup zone in a controlled manner into the objective area in the order of priorities as designated by the ground unit commander. Staging plan. The staging plan is based on the loading plan and prescribes the arrival times of ground units and their equipment at the pickup zone in proper order for movement. Ground units are expected to be in pickup zone posture 15 minutes before aircraft arrive. A-78. Air assaults are deliberately planned because of their complexity and the commander's need for detailed intelligence concerning the enemy situation. The air assault planning process mirrors the steps in the MDMP and incorporates parallel actions necessary to provide the additional time and detailed planning required for successful mission execution. Table A-8 on page 174 provides planning factors for air assault planning.