CHAPTER 4
UNIT AIR MOVEMENT PLANNING GUIDELINES AND CONSIDERATIONS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter provides guidelines and considerations to assist the airload planner with the building of a unit movement plan based on the commander's guidance and determination of a tactical or nontactical move.
AIRCRAFT REQUIREMENTS
There are two distinct phases in planning unit movement loads. The first is load planning and the second is manifesting. During the load planning phase, the unit identifies what the airlift requirements are in terms of equipment and personnel. For equipment and personnel preparation, refer to Appendix B. The unit also identifies how many aircraft of each type to use. This phase may be repeated many times to refine the movement or to reduce the total aircraft requirement. During the second phase, load planners complete the final load plan and cargo manifests. The final load plans may differ from the preplanned ones because of changes in unit movement priorities, aircraft scheduling, or equipment.
The first phase identifies the overall requirement in terms of unit equipment and number and type of aircraft. The second phase lets the unit prioritize the movement requirement based on the operational conditions existing at the time of movement.
The unit standing operating procedure (SOP) should specify the order in which personnel, equipment, and materiel will move by air. Planning guidance from higher headquarters will indicate the type of aircraft available for the movement.
Based on this information, the load planner determines and requests the number of sorties, by type of aircraft, required to complete the move. To plan the airlift movement itself, first identify exactly how many personnel and what equipment will move. Second, be aware of the characteristics of the aircraft that will carry the load.
Chapters 2 and 3 provide specific details on aircraft. Technical assistance may be obtained through the supporting airlift wing or through your affiliated ALCS.
Before submitting the request for aircraft, ensure that each aircraft will be used to its maximum capability based on the information that has been developed, including applicable allowable cabin loads and available passenger seats. When ACL and passenger seat availability are not known, use the data in Chapter 2 for advance planning, but remain prepared to make adjustments.
There are three methods of determining aircraft (sortie) requirements. They are the weight method, the type-load method (both manual), and the Automated Air Load Planning System (AALPS) process.
Weight Method
Use the weight method to calculate sortie requirements to transport large amounts of supplies, general cargo, and personnel. This method is based on the assumption that total weight, not volume, is the determining factor. To give a general idea of aircraft requirements for a planned move, high-level planners use the weight method.
Type-Load Method
In any unit air movement, a number of the aircraft loads will contain the same items of equipment and numbers of personnel. Identical type loads greatly simplify the planning process and make the tasks of manifesting and rehearsal much easier. Used for calculating individual aircraft sortie requirements, the type-load method is the most common and most widely accepted method of unit air movement planning. The method requires consideration of load configuration and condition upon arrival at destination, rapid unloading, aircraft limitations, security requirements en route, and the anticipated operational requirements. The type-load method, therefore, is more detailed and is normally used in planning unit movements.
Automated Air Load Planning System
AALPS uses the type-load method and through automation allows the user to manipulate the data base to build different force packages and options for timely decision making. See Chapter 5 for more information on AALPS.
AIR MOVEMENT PLANNING WORKSHEETS
Two forms used for unit air movement planning are the Air Movement Planning Worksheet and DD Form 2327 (Unit Aircraft Utilization Plan). This manual discusses the Air Movement Planning Worksheet, which is found in Appendix C. DD Form 2327 is explained in detail in Appendix B of FM 55-12.
Air movement planning is an important task that requires close attention to detail and an ability to carefully balance requirements, assets, and priorities. It is in effect a large accounting problem with a series of checks and balances to ensure that all equipment and personnel are moved on time and that all the aircraft are used as the commander's intent directed.
The most important consideration before starting air movement planning is the mission of the unit when it arrives. Filling the aircraft to its safe maximum operating limits is the next most important consideration. Review all of the unit's contingency plans, and check with the unit commander and the operations officer for additional guidance. Frequently, the commander will have specific mission requirements. The mission may determine the type of aircraft used. If it is a short-range mission with small amounts of heavy equipment or an operation into a forward tactical area, the C-130 aircraft may be the transport. A long-distance deployment, with a large amount of heavy equipment, could require use of the C-141 or C-5 aircraft.
Once the mission is known, movement plans must include all units, personnel, equipment, and materiel to accomplish the mission. Using information in Chapter 5, load all the vehicles with as much unit equipment as possible without exceeding the cross-country weight capacity of the vehicle. Ensure that all cargo is properly secured in the cargo compartment of the vehicle. Measure and weigh the vehicles after they are loaded. Guidance for weighing and marking the vehicles is in Appendix G of FM 55-12 and AR 220-10. Review FM 55-65 for tactics, techniques, and procedures on how to load and lash vehicles.
Using the unit table of organization and equipment/modification table of organization and equipment (TOE/MTOE) as a guide, start the Air Movement Planning Worksheet with the first element. When planning a tactical move, maintain as much unit integrity as is consistent with the principles of aircraft use. Fill in the weight and dimension data, including the cargo weight of the vehicles carrying cargo. Before going on to anything else, complete the worksheet. Very rarely will the load plan of the aircraft be in the same order in which the elements appear on the Air Movement Planning Worksheet. See Appendix C for instructions on how to complete this form.
Once the Air Movement Planning Worksheet is completed, the next step is to complete DD Form 2327. Refer to Appendix B of FM 55-12 for complete guidance on filling out this form.
The final step after completing the Unit Aircraft Utilization Plan is to prepare the cargo manifests. Using the DD Form 2130-series cargo manifest forms (DD Form 2130-1 [C-5A/B], DD Form 2130-2 [C-130], and DD Form 2130-3 [C-141B]), plan the placement of each vehicle and item of equipment. Refer to Appendix B of FM 55-12 for complete guidance on filling out these forms. Chapter 5 outlines the specific details for load planning of individual aircraft.
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