Airborne operations

Air born troops involve the movement and delivery by air of combat forces and their logistic support into enemy objective area for the execution of a tactical or a strategic mission. These forces may consist of airborne, infantry, and mechanized infantry divisions and air transportable units with supporting artillery. Air born troops may be a joint effort, using US Air Force, Navy, and Army transport aircraft.

Classification

Air born troops are classified as short-duration and long-duration. Division or division units conduct short-duration operations with limited nondivisional reinforcing units. They engage in combat using accompanying supplies and limited followup supplies. There is no routine supply phase: the assault force receives minimum combat service support in the objective area and the operation terminates with the early relief, withdrawal, or relief for subsequent operations.

In long-duration operation, nondivision combat, combat support, and combat service support units reinforce airborne units. These forces are usually committed to sus­tained ground combat. Long-duration operations involve a substantial buildup of troop, supply, and equipment primarily by airlines of communications.

The mission assigned to the airborne force determines the type of operation to be conducted. An airborne raid is normally a short-duration operation, while a large-scale operation conducted deep in the enemy's rear is usually a long-duration operation that requires a buildup by airlines of communication and a linkup between two forces. Both types of operations may be either tactical or strategic.

Concept of employment

Usually airborne forces are not committed on missions that can be performed as economically or as expeditiously by other combat forces. Airborne forces move directly to the objective area or to forward bases. Airborne forces are airlifted from these forward bases by AF aircraft to conduct airborne assault operations. An airborne capability is a strategic threat that may compel the enemy to disperse and dissipate his forces to protect vital installa­tions in his rear areas and on his flanks.

Airborne forces can exploit the results of nuclear, biological, or chemical attack when existing radiation or level of persistent chemical or biological agent contamination in areas of employment is within acceptable limits.

Airborne operations can be conducted in areas occupied by well organized enemy combat forces when preceded by neutralizing preassault air bombardment or intensive FA fires.

Airborne operations can be conducted in either daylight or darkness or under other conditions of reduced visibility. Because of the inherent difficulties in night or reduced visibility operations, commanders prefer to launch major airborne assaults during daylight. Forces conduct loading and a major portion of their air movement during darkness or other conditions of reduced visibility to conceal these operations. Forces avoid establishing a recognizable pattern of timing in the assaults.

Parachute elements normally make the initial assault. Air-landed units then move into protected landing areas. When required, airborne operations can be conducted entirely by parachute. Air-landed units can conduct assault operations without having been preceded by a parachute assault if the land­ing area is undefended, lightly defended, or neutralized. The airborne force is most vulnerable to enemy counterattack, particularly armoured and mechanized forces, immediately after landing. Tactical air support and artillery restrict the movement of enemy forces into the airhead area during this period.

Since the airborne division is most vulnerable to enemy during the landing and reorganization of its assault echelon it must land and be reorganized with maximum speed and precision.

1.	Answer the questions.

1. What do airborne operations involve?

2. What units may airborne forces consist of?

3. What is meant by short-duration airborne combat operations?

4. What is the airborne force most vulnerable to?

5. What is the concept of employment of US airborne forces?

2.	Translate words and word combinations into English

Район десантування, короткочасна десантна операція, матеріальні засоби, що доставляються одночасно з висадкою десанту, матеріальні засоби, що доставляються після висадки десанту, повітряні комунікації, повітряна атака, висадка повітряного десанту, плацдарм десантування.

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