Requests for airdrop resupply are either preplanned or immediate. Preplanned requests are normally processed through G4 or S4 channels, and immediate requests are processed through G3 or S3 channels. Immediate requests are also forwarded through the Air Force airlift advance notification and coordination net. This allows the ALCC to identify early those aircraft to use for the mission.
Preplanned airdrop requests are normally forwarded
through logistics channels. Figure 5-1
shows the flow for an airdrop request (both preplanned and immediate).
This schematic will be discussed in detail later in this chapter.
Logistics personnel in the TOC process this type of request. Since
the mission has been preplanned, the request should be passed
quickly, with little administrative delay. Once a request is passed,
it is considered to have been validated at that level. Preplanned
requests can be used to support contingency-type operations during
the initial insertion of a combat unit. This is particularly true
when the combat unit is a light division being sent into an area
with an undeveloped logistics base. Preplanned requests can also
be used to support a variety of operations, such as a deep attack
where land maneuver forces are used. In this example, land lines
of communication will be stretched or nonexistent. Therefore,
the preplanning of airdrop resupply will allow the ground commander
to maintain the initiative.
Immediate airdrop resupply requests are passed through command channels in the quickest way consistent with security (Figure 5-1). These requests result from unanticipated, urgent, or priority requirements. The theater senior validator (appointed by the theater commander) validates the requirement. The ALCC must then find the aircraft by diverting or canceling preplanned missions or by generating a standby sortie. Most immediate airdrop resupply missions are critical to a tactical mission or the survival of a unit. They should be completed at the required time and date if at all possible.
Normally, the airdrop request (Figure 5-1) starts at the company or battalion level with the filling out of DD Form 1974. See Chapter 4 for the requesting unit's responsibilities. The battalion passes the request to brigade. The brigade quickly checks with the supporting forward support battalion to see if an alternative to the airdrop resupply mission is available. If an alternative is not available, the request is passed to division. The division then coordinates with the DMMC, the DTO, and the DISCOM MCO to see if an alternative to an airdrop mission exists. If not, the request is passed to corps. The corps determines if it can support the airdrop request. The availability of rigging units, required supplies, and equipment is the primary concern. If the corps can support the request, it is sent to the CMMC, the CMCC, and the corps support group (Rear). The CMMC and the CMCC start the supply and ground transportation actions needed to get the required supplies to the airdrop support unit that will rig them for airdrop. The CMCC arranges to have the rigged loads moved to the departure airfield. It also sends the request for aircraft support to the JFCA or the theater army movements control agency (if a JFCA has not yet been appointed). The corps support group directs the supporting supply and services battalion and airdrop support unit to rig the required supplies. If the corps cannot support the airdrop request, it is immediately sent to the theater TOC. The theater TOC sends the airdrop request to the JFCA and the supporting TAACOM TOC. The JFCA validates the request for aircraft support and sends it to the ALCC for execution. The TAACOM TOC sends the request to the TAACOM MMC where the required MROs will be processed to the supporting supply unit. If the supporting supply unit is assigned to the ASG, the ASG coordinates the ground transportation to get the supplies to the airdrop support unit and then to the departure airfield. If the supporting supply unit is not assigned to the ASG, the ground transportation is coordinated by the supporting movement control team. The request is also sent to the supporting ASG. This group directs the supporting supply and services battalion and airdrop support unit to rig the supplies. The airdrop support unit tells the TAACOM TOC when the rigged supplies will be ready for movement to the departure airfield. The TAACOM TOC coordinates the actual drop time and date with the ALCC and notifies the theater army TOC. The theater army TOC then passes the drop information back to the requesting unit through TOC channels. Drop information may also be passed through the Air Force airlift advance notification and coordination net. the rig the supplies. The airdrop support unit tells the
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