• Post a Planning Products Matrix. See paragraph 1000. Step through each line.

aircraft exposure time: Minimum number of lifts, maximum number of A/C.

a. This contrasts with PZ and Extract LZ procedures where less A/C in multiple waves are easier for

b. Maintain unit integrity as far as possible. This reduces confusion and reorganization time in the

c. Ground units need solid plan for moving out of LZ in tactical order. This is especially important

d. Linkup plans for multiple wave inserts must work both day and night for both air and ground

2. Marines inserted into the wrong zone immediately report to the on-site commander. Inbound

A/C can pick up stick and return to PZ or insert to correct zone, if possible.

2. Plan the following details on the diagram:

Friendly / R&S / RTX / Mortar positions / Routes (organic and adjacent units)

TAOR and Adjacent Unit boundaries (for aviation deconfliction)

b. Aircraft

FWCAS IPs and Final Attack Cones

HAs and MCAs (Elevation AGL)

Routes and Assault A/C IPs

AOF of artillery / mortars / gun positions (Both degrees and mils)

EAs

d. Series Timeline with CAS TOTs

3. The single Objective Area Diagram is an integrated document. Both ground commanders and

diagram.

b. Fires in support of the helicopter insert.

c. Fires, particularly SEAD, in support of helicopter routing.

d. Fires in support of extract while in contact with the enemy.

2. For distant objectives, outside artillery range, artillery can be externally lifted by CH-53 to

support the ground scheme of maneuver. Early insert is best to support follow-on inserts, and

immediate enemy response. Details need to be planned:

a. External lift procedures. Sending and receiving HST capabilities. Air panels, oriented on the

c. Gun procedures without forklift MHE, HMMWVs, or trucks

e. Organization of ground link-up echelon. Linkup procedures. Inability to linkup due to terrain may

3. All aviators are capable of calling for fire. Cobras need Artillery COF (SINCGARS) capability. Air

units use COF nets to make calls for fire during movements, insertions and extractions. Pre-planned

targets can be shot by R&S, EFL, AFL, AMC, Co or HHQ. All assets need to know this. Priority

targets and triggers need to be established along the insert route.

4. The Connectivity Diagrams show the critical fire support paths. Paths from ground units,

especially R&S, to RWCAS and FWCAS, must be shown. The comm plan must support the Fire

Support Plan. Fires handover from R&S to EFL to Company to Battalion to Regiment needs to be

shown on the Connectivity Diagram.

RW/CAS is the primary support fires that a HUC will receive during insert.

a. RW/FAC(A) Cobras have SINCGARS.

e. The Connectivity Diagram, Objective Area Diagram, and Comm Cards need to include details of

8. Fires deconfliction is a dynamic process. FSCM do NOT work by themselves. Gun Target Lines

are not a panacea. A GTL only exists while the gun is firing.

9. The FSC must approve all aviation control measures. Alternate HAs and MCAs are planned so

movement, comm or visibility requirements. Multiple BPs are planned for RW/CAS: If friendlies

block LOS or impact of weapons, if enemy threatens BP, or if PGMs are obscured by dust and smoke.

10. Regiment should establish an HF FSC-2 net for long haul comm from Bn FSC to Regt FSC and

artillery battalion.

11. The following combined arms cycle represents the minimum number of MAGTF assets needed

to effectively prosecute the combined arms battle:

• (2) sets of eyes to locate and identify the target

• (2) shooters to prosecute the target.

a. R&S to FAC(A)

c. FiST to FAC(A) for withdrawal

vs SATCOM).

a. Each comm link shows the primary guarded net on top of the line with the secondary and tertiary

c. Include LZ Control Nets for both PZ and Insert LZs. See Communications SOP.

access identical information.

a. For large helicopter assaults, a series of complete connectivity diagrams are created, one for each

b. The DASC officer should brief these documents to insure ground – air connectivity.

4. See example Connectivity Diagrams.

See Communications SOP.

his extract plan and pass adjustments back to HHQ on an A/C later in the day.

3. E&R Plan. The E&R route for a helicopter assault should be along the flight route. Plan a simple

recognition signal such as “left hand on top of head.”

4. GO / NO-GO Criteria. Prior to mission launch, what pre-requisites, either equipment or conditions,

need to be met? Local NO-GO criteria do not prevent large coordinated missions.

5. Abort Criteria. Once mission is inbound, what constitutes abort criteria, and who has abort

authority? Usually, abort and delay L-Hour authority is the HTF commander. Authority to change

routes is usually the AMC. Authority to change LZs is usually the HUC.

6. No Comm Plan.

d. AMC decisions that affect CASEVAC response time, such as refueling, need to be understood by

e. Infantry Battalions are weak on foot mobile BAS. BAS may not be inserted.

• Execution Checklist

2. See Example Execution Checklist.

See Example Comm Card.

See Example Mission Timeline.

E

02 M F/W on Station HD-1 DASC AMC BETTY

03 M Strike on Obj 3

Complete

HD-1 EFL DASC CATHY

11 M Wave 1 Inserted HD-1 Ghawk AMC DELIA

12 M 2/5 Fwd COC Up MAGTF

CMD-1

13 M Wave 2 Airborne HD-1 Evil AMC HOLLY

20 M Wave 2 Inserted HD-1 Ghawk AMC JANE

Airborne

HD-1 Rocky AMC KELLY

Inserted

HD-1 Rocky AMC LINDA

23 M Wave 3 Airborne HD-1 Wolf AMC SALLY

30 M Wave 3 Inserted HD-1 Wolf AMC TINA

31 M Wave 4 Airborne HD-1 Wolf AMC URSULA

32 M Wave 4 Inserted HD-1 Wolf AMC VERONICA

40 X Request

Resupply

MAGTF

TAC

b. Unit leaders and crew-served weapons are spread loaded. Attachment for movement dissolves

c. External loads, including vehicles, should be assigned a single stick number. CH-53s can lift (24)

d. Blocks of four-digit stick numbers are assigned to each battalion by regimental SOP. Standard

0000 – 0999 HqCo

1000 – 1999 1st Battalion

2000 – 2999 2nd Battalion

4000 – 4999 4th Battalion

5000 – 9999 Attachments

b. Each column contains information about the specific stick assigned to that helicopter.

c. Weight information is important for helicopter fuel calculations. The pound symbol indicates

4. For large operations, a separate HWSAT page should be created for each wave.

3. Initial LOGSTATREP is submitted prior to assault. Thereafter, ‘by exception’ reports can be

4. Assault units can only be expected to carry 2 DOS, excluding water. The Regiment can increase

its immediately available supply stockage by having Marines on secondary waves carry bulk supplies

- cases of MREs, full ammunition cans - on the A/C and turn over supplies to S-4 upon insert. The S-

4 should publish a list of standard supplies for all classes and all equipment. Units maximize supplies

going in to minimize resupply requirements.

5. FARP is an aviation issue. Details of position must be coordinated with the MC and HUC.

6. The scale of helicopter support required during Regimental helicopter operations is significant.

• (27) CH-53 sorties to carry (27) M-149 Water Bull per day. (Nine per battlion per day).

• Ammunition resupply

• CASEVAC on-call

• Chow resupply / Maintenance & parts resupply

• Daily movements of people / reconnaissance / additional assault operations

b. Marines need to carry double the amount of water normally carried to (4) quarts. Camel backs

3. Jugs. Infantry units should insert with every water jug they own.

a. A designated team of Marines, a “mule-team,” should be assigned to unload and stage water. This

same team can fly back and forth inside a helicopter for water jug resupply. The last A/C of the

b. (1) 10k net load of water cans = (4) 48 x 48 pallets. Each pallet holds (60) 5-gallon cans. Total

weight of (1) pallet = 2400 pounds. Total weight of load = 9600 lbs = 240 cans = 1200 gal = .33

4. Water Bulls

b. If water bulls can only be lifted into pre-planned LZs, units need to be prepared to use mule-

c. A 900-man infantry battalion needs (9) M-149 water trailers per day. Attaching these assets to the

5. Local Water. The local supply of water should be exploited. Marines need water filters and

purification tablets. Regiment needs access to a water purification unit. Medical sections need to be

prepared to test water, engineers need to be prepared to treat water. The S-2 needs to brief the

availability and potability of the local water source.

3. Pallets. Palletized ammunition cannot be delivered into the LZ. Infantry Regiments and Battalions

have no Material Handing Equipment (MHE) or banding equipment for dealing with pallets. Pallets

a. Battalions should tailor their Forward COC , Log Train, and hard-back gun vehicles into serials

3. Resupply. Infantry units require dedicated Helicopter Support Team (HST) capability, either organic

c. HST teams need UHF comms with A/C and VHF comms with supported unit. HST teams need to

d. During PZ Ops, HST teams are attached to the PZCO. HST teams need comm. with PZCO and

e. Standardized, pre-planned resupply LOGPACs, netted, if possible, should be staged at the PZ for

2. Organization

• Regiment consists of three infantry battalions, an artillery battalion, a recon platoon, a regimental

• External loads, both vehicles and cargo, are inserted.

• Two days of supply are inserted with the assault force. Units carry 48 hours basic load of Classes

5. Command and Signal

• Comm with HHQ requires HF. Regiment may have SATCOM with HHQ.

6. Limitations

• Limitations of Helicopter Assault: weather, air LOCs, antitank capabilities, aviation fuel.

• Vulnerabilities: enemy attack in AA, PZ or LZ, EW, and disorganization in objective area.

c. 2:00 minutes to load a helicopter. 2:00 minutes to unload a helicopter. Measured from first boot

2. Planning and Execution Standards:

a. H-Hour is a minimum of 48 hours from mission receipt.

b. The assault echelons of two infantry battalions, one artillery battery, one regimental COC, and

c. The Regiment fights independently and sustains itself with no ground LOC for 48 hours.

b. Organic forces from the regiment include multiple infantry battalions, an artillery battalion, a

c. Supporting forces include multiple helicopter squadrons, possibly organized into multiple waves

d. Supporting forces includes MCSSD in DS. MCSSD is part of the ground echelon that links up

2. Infantry Forces. The infantry battalion is the smallest ground organization capable of planning,

coordinating and executing an air assault operation. “Battalions insert companies. Regiments insert

3. Key Personnel for Regimental Helicopter Assaults

4. Long distance helicopter assault operations require well-planned command and control.

a. Task Organization. Clearly defined missions. Unit integrity.

c. Precision Planning. Integrated planning. Contingency planning.

5. The Command and Control Plan needs to address the three phases of a ground commander’s

location: prior to flight, in-flight, and on the ground. Graphic comm connectivity diagrams need to be

built for both commanders in the air as well as separated once the MC is on the ground.

6. The DASC (or DASC representative ASLT / ASE) must be co-located with the Regimental

COC. Doctrine states that the DASC representative provides “routing and handoff directions to

aircraft.” Additionally, within a ground COC, he:

a. Provides enemy situation updates to the COC from returning aircraft.

c. Provides FSCM changes and immediate fire mission updates from the FSC to A/C.

d. Assists the EFL in the combined arms battle by providing liaison with the FSC.

e. Updates COC on status of helicopterborne units and status of assault, CAS, and CASEVAC A/C.

8. Communications

a. Battalion COCs need a foot-mobile helicopterborne configuration. All radios are man-packed.

originating from outside the TAOR will require HHQ clearance in order to deconflict aviation

a. The TAOR must be large enough to allow the HUC full use of his organic weapons. An overly

b. Air Deconfliction. All aircraft entering the TAOR must be cleared through the HUC’s FiST

c. A TAOR may be activated and deactivated during the course of an operation, even while

d. A TAOR should specify an associated altitude.

c. Leaders need land navigation skill. Leaders need GPS skill.

d. Units down to platoon level need to have ITG Kits and Marines trained to provide ITG. See ITG

e. All units need radio training: HF for long haul comms, UHF for aviation comms, and aviation

f. Companies need HST capability for aerial resupply and external deliveries. Companies need to be

2. Unit SOPs

b. Battalion ITG SOP

d. Battalion Air MEDEVAC SOP

e. Battalion Forward COC SOP (Both man-pack and vehicle configurations)

3. Equipment

a. Small packs are better for helo ops. Large packs are needed for extended ops far from established

d. Independent units need LZ Marking Kits.

c. Briefs his people. Inspects Marines to see they are properly prepared for helicopter operations:

d. Understands the bump plan. Understands his unit’s task in the insert LZ.

2. Stick Leader Actions. During flight, the stick leader:

b. Wear a gunner’s belt for access to the cockpit. Regardless of rank, the stick leader’s situational

e. Maintains orientation during entire flight by comparing route to map.

f. Informs his stick of the situation, especially changes to the plan. A note on an index card is best.

g. Prepares his stick for debarkation. Prior to landing, he signals to load weapons, break chemlites,