# Planning Considerations and Responsibilities The following planning considerations and responsibilities are listed to aid in the mission planning process. Mission planners and leaders should implement the following considerations and responsibilities into local procedures for planners. *** ## Planning Considerations The factors considered in determining the best formation, or sequence of formations, are as follows: * **Mission requirements:** Include the mission of the supported unit and aviation unit. * **Enemy considerations:** Include current enemy situation, enemy ADA capability and placement, and accessibility to enemy visual/electronic surveillance. * **Fire support plan considerations:** Include artillery support available, LZ preparation planning, air support availability and requirements, and naval gunfire–including planned types of ordnance and any en route suppression of enemy air defense. * **Terrain and weather considerations:** Include configuration of en route obstacles and/or corridors, LZ characteristics, obstacles in/or affecting approaches to the LZ, ceiling and visibility, wind and turbulence, and ambient light levels throughout the mission. * **Formation maneuver and flexibility considerations:** Include possible changes in the mission or situation and evasive tactics to be used. * **Armed aerial escort considerations:** Include the number and type of armed escort aircraft required and available. * **Formation control considerations:** Include the degree of control required and method of control such as radio, visual signals, and prearranged timing. * **Other considerations:** Include type of aircraft, type of NVDs used, operations security and safety measures required, level of crew training and experience, and aircraft capabilities. * **Aircraft lighting compatibility:** When different types of aircraft operate in a formation, external lighting capability of the various aircraft types must be evaluated. In addition, when aircraft types are mixed at night, differences between NVG and FLIR must be identified and considered in planning. * **Installed aircraft survivability equipment:** Consider the impact different formations have on it versus the threat. *** ## Planning Responsibilities *Supported ground unit commanders should brief the supporting aviation unit on the following items:* * Fire and electronic warfare support plans. * Frequencies and call signs. * Details of friendly troops including location, numbers, and unit identification. * Number of troops to be airlifted. * Description, amount, size, and weight of cargo. * Location, details, control provided, and specific landing points for primary and alternate PZs. * Safe routes to and from the LZ based on available intelligence. * Desired arrival time in the LZ. * Location, details, control provided, and specific landing points for primary and alternate LZs. * Location of the ground unit commander, if airborne. *The air mission or flight commander is responsible for effecting liaison with the supported ground unit and supporting aviation units. The aviation brief to the supported ground unit should include the following:* * Safety requirements. * Use of aircraft lights providing aircraft identification means to the supported unit. * Frequencies, call signs, and troop commander seat assignment including availability of aircraft headset and communication capability. * Probable en route and landing formations. * Aircraft troop and cargo load capability and identification of aircraft carrying both. * Downed crew pickup points and downed aircraft procedures. * PZ/LZ lighting requirements and aircraft separation requirements. * Thorough passenger briefing, including appropriate warnings regarding aircraft ingress and egress, and approach/departure paths to/from the aircraft. This briefing must include seat belt availability, placement of personal equipment, and emergency procedures. *The mission brief to the aviation unit should include the following:* * Route of flight. * Rules of engagement. * Time schedule. * Details of the PZ and LZ. * Number of aircraft required for the mission. * Troop load (including aircraft allowable cargo load) and cargo load. * Formations to be used. * Numbering system (identification) for aircraft; for example, in case of a formation change, starting with lead or chalk 1 continuing backwards through the flight; lead departs the flight, then chalk 2 becomes lead, chalk 3 becomes chalk 2, and so on. * Assigned duties for each chalk number. * Horizontal distance and vertical separation. * Use of aircraft lights. * Signal requirements including lights and communication. * IIMC procedures. * Emergency breakup procedures (threat response). * Method of changing formation. * Rendezvous and join-up procedures. * Available intelligence regarding routes and PZs/LZs. * Lost communication procedures. * Downed aircrew pickup points and downed aircraft procedures. * Status of armed escort aircraft. * Refueling and rearming instructions, including forward arming and refueling point locations * Emergency medical procedures. * Location of AMC and aviation unit commander --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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