FM 57-35 Airmobile Operations - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMgiven more emphasis: terrain analysis must cover a large area,weather forecasts are of critical importance, and enemy air defense units must be accurately located. Consideration should begiven to including EEI designed to provide information on thefeasibility of employing airmobile forces.27. Weather and Terraina. Weather. Weather minimums must be established early inthe planning to prescribe the worst acceptable weather in whichthe commander will permit the operation to be mounted. Weatherminimums are established based on the type aircraft employed,navigation aids available, terrain along the flight routes, and thetime of the operation. Weather information is obtained from thenormal sources available within the field army.b. Terrain. Analysis of the terrain for an airmobile operationmust include careful consideration of potential landing zones andassembly areas in the objective area, avenues of approach fromlanding sites to the objective, the choice of landmarks to help defineflight routes, and vegetation and land forms to provide concealment during the air movement. The location of emergency landingsites en route to the objective must also be considered.28. EnemyThe intelligence requirements with respect to the enemy, inaddition to the normal requirements, include a more careful consideration of his air defense installations, tactical air capability,armor capability, and airmobile capability, since they may pose amore serious threat to an airmobile force than to a ground mobileforce.29. Intelligence OperationsIt is usually not possible to conduct a detailed ground reconnaissance of the objective area. Therefore, the airmobile force'sground reconnaissance plan should be designed to obtain information from units in contact which will be of value in planning flightroutes immediately forward of the FEBA. Army observation aircraft can also be used in developing information to help in selecting flight routes. The commander must usually rely on aircraftfor visual and photo reconnaissance of the objective area. Lowoblique photos are particularly helpful. Visual reconnaissance isconducted both before the operation and during the air movement.Army aircraft used for reconnaissance can gain information ofthe objective area and landing zones, but they must conduct theirreconnaissance without compromising the operation if possible.1 AGO 2294B