FM 90-4

AIR ASSAULT OPERATIONS

Contents

Preface
CHAPTER 1		Air Assault Operations in the AirLand Battle
Section	I	AVIATION AND INFANTRY
	II	ORGANIZATION OF AIR ASSAULT FORCES
	III	CAPABILITIES, LIMITATIONS, AND VULNERABILITIES
	IV	EMPLOYMENT
CHAPTER 2		Preparation for Combat
Section	I	PROCEDURES
	II	INTELLIGENCE PREPARATION OF THE BATTLEFIELD
	III	THE THREAT
	IV	TASK ORGANIZING FOR AIR ASSAULT OPERATIONS
	V	COMMAND, CONTROL, AND COMMUNICATIONS
CHAPTER 3		Operations Planning
Section	I	ESTIMATE PROCESS
	II	SECURITY AND CONTROL
	III	GROUND TACTICAL PLAN
	IV	THE LANDING PLAN
	V	AIR MOVEMENT PLAN
	VI	LOADING PLAN
	VII	STAGING PLAN
	VIII	AIR MISSION BRIEFING
CHAPTER 4		Combat Operations
Section	I	OFFENSE
	II	DEFENSE
	III	OTHER TACTICAL MISSIONS
CHAPTER 5		Combat Support
Section	I	COMBINED ARMS TEAM
	II	FIRE SUPPORT
	III	FIRE SUPPORT PLANNING AND COORDINATION
	IV	ARTILLERY AIR ASSAULT OPERATIONS
	V	NAVAL GUNFIRE SUPPORT
	VI	UNITED STATES AIR FORCE TACTICAL AIR SUPPORT
	VII	AIR DEFENSE
	VIII	ENGINEER SUPPORT
CHAPTER 6		Combat Service Support
Section	I	PLANNING
	II	COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT ORGANIZATION
	III	COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT EXECUTION
	IV	AVIATION SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS

APPENDIX A	Conduct of an Air Assault Operation
APPENDIX B	Air Assault Planning Forms
APPENDIX C	Sample Annex to Infantry Battalion SOP for Air Assault Task Force Operations
APPENDIX D	Helicopter Characteristics
APPENDIX E	Pickup Zone and Landing Zone Operations
APPENDIX F	Air Assault Training
APPENDIX G	Army Airspace Management
APPENDIX H	Moving Vehicle-mounted TOW by Helicopter
GLOSSARY
REFERENCES
AUTHORIZATION

DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited.

*This publication supersedes FM 90-4, 8 October 1980.

Preface

This manual describes how infantry and aviation units plan and conduct air assault operations. It emphasizes the coordination necessary between these organizations concerning the planning sequence and tactical employment of both elements. It is written primarily for aviation and infantry units and is applicable to combat support and service support units with a need to plan for and use Army aviation support.

Air assault operations are conducted with speed, secrecy, and precision by a well trained, proficient combined arms team. To gain proficiency, individuals and units habitually conduct combined arms training in air assault operations before being committed to combat.

The proponent of this publication is HQ TRADOC. Submit changes for improving this publication on DA Form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) and forward it to: Commandant, US Army Infantry School, ATTN: ATSH-B-ID, Fort Benning, GA 31905-5593.

The provisions of this publication are the subject of the following international agreements: 2351, Procedures for Marshalling Helicopters in Airmobile Operations; 2860, Principles of Engagement for the Landing Sites; 2861, Procedures for the Recovery of Downed Aircraft/Helicopters While Engaged in Airmobile Operations; 2863, Minimum Navigational Facilities for Multi-National Airmobile Operations; 2876, Planning and Coordination Procedures for Airmobile Operations; 2904, Airmobile Operations (ATP 41); 3117, Aircraft Marshalling Signals; 3345, Data Forms for Planning Air Movements; 3468, General Rues Covering the Transport of Loads by Helicopter; 3532, Transport of Troops by Helicopter; 3570, Drop Zones and Extraction Zones; 3597, Helicopter Tactical or Nonpermanent Landing Sites; 3619, Helipad Markings; 3627, Helicopter Day and Night Formation Flying; and 3630, Helicopter Tactical Operations at the High Hover.

Unless otherwise stated, whenever the masculine gender is used, both men and women are included.

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Military

FM 90-4

AIR ASSAULT OPERATIONS