FM 17-37 Air Cavalry Squadron - Survival Books

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FM 17-37
CHAPTER 2
EMPLOYMENT OF AIR CAVALRY UNITS
2-1. General and combat service support of armor units. Spe-
Actions of air cavalry units in combat are gov- cific guidance for combat and combat service superned
by the application of the principles of war port of air cavalry units is contained in sucand
certain guiding fundamentals of employment ceeding chapters.
for armor, which are discussed in FM 17-1, and
air cavalry, which are discussed in this manual.
The success of these units depends largely on the Air cavalry units receive airspace control and
tactical ingenuity of commanders in applying coordination policies and procedures from higher
these principles and fundamentals.
headquarters. Normally, operations are conducted
in block airspace. When significant portions of
2-2. principles of War this airspace are being used by supporting
The principles of war govern all military opera- weapons, air cavalry unit operations within the
tions. They are the major factors that com- airspace may be temporarily restricted. For addimanders
must consider in achieving success on the tional details concerning airspace control, see FM
battlefield. In combat, the plan of each commander,
regardless of level, must be based on a
specific mission and on the logical application of
the principles of war. Principles of war are dis- Dependent upon the conflict situation and
cussed in detail in FM 17-1.
existing policies, general and/cr specific rules of
engagement may be in effect. When these conting-
2-3. Factors Affecting Employment ent conditions are present, they will affect the
The successful employment of air cavalry units
planning and execution of missions to varying de-
The successful employment of air cavalry units grees directly related
depends
to the degree of
on
restrictive-
the commander's careful and contin- ness of the rules of engagement.
uous consideration of certain influencing factors.
These are the mission, enemy, terrain and 2-7. Use of Non-Air Defense Weapons in the
weather, and troops available (METT).
Air Defense Role
2-4. and Combat Service Support for Air cavalry unit commanders must be cognizant
Air Cavalry Units
of the threat to their units by enemy aircraft. The
commander must consider employment of non-air
Air cavalry units may be supported by all combat defense weapons in the protection of his unit from
arms and services, tactical air, and naval gunfire. attack by hostile aircraft. For a detailed discus-
FM 17-1 provides general guidance for combat sion, see FM 17-1.
AGO 20026A 2-1