informal oversight role for the brigade aviation officer and the BAE. The combat aviation brigade commander interfaces with the supported BCT commander to ensure the BAE is manned properly to meet the BCT commander’s intent. (Refer to FM 3-04.111 for additional information.)
Combat Aviation Brigade
3-158. The combat aviation brigade is a modular and tailorable force organized and equipped to integrate and synchronize operations of multiple aviation battalions. The combat aviation brigade can operate as a maneuver headquarters and can employ subordinate battalions and other augmenting forces in deliberate and hasty operations. The combat aviation brigade headquarters provides tailored support to adjacent supported maneuver commanders at the BCT level and below when employed in this role. While a BAE works directly for the BCT commander as a permanent member of the BCT staff, aviation liaison teams represent the supporting aviation task force at designated maneuver headquarters for the duration of a specific operation.
If collocated with a BAE, the liaison team normally works directly with the brigade aviation officer as a functioning addition to the BAE staff section. Effective employment of liaison officers is imperative for coordination and synchronization. Often aviation liaison teams coordinate with the BAE and proceed to a supported ground maneuver battalion or squadron location.
3-159. Air-ground integration is merging air and ground operations into one fight. The goal is to apply aviation capabilities according to the BCT commander’s intent. Ideally, integration begins early in the planning process with the brigade aviation element’s involvement. The brigade aviation element advises the BCT commander on aviation capabilities and on how to best use aviation to support mission objectives. The employment of aviation assets is dependent upon providing the supporting aviation units with a task and purpose, integrating them into the BCT commander’s scheme of maneuver. This integration allows the aviation commander and staff to identify the best available platform(s) for the mission, to identify the proper utilization of aviation assets, and to increase the BCT’s maneuver capabilities, as well as the commander’s ability to conduct mission command on the move. BCT planners, down through the supporting aviation unit to the individual aircrews, should consider these imperatives as elements of air-ground operations. A failure to properly consider these imperatives can result in the lack of synchronization, wasted combat power, the loss of friendly forces by enemy actions, or fratricide. (Refer to FM 3-04.111 for additional information.) 3-160. Combat aviation brigade attacks may be in close proximity or in direct support of ground maneuver forces (close combat attack) or the attacks may be against enemy forces not in direct contact with friendly ground forces (interdiction). A close combat attack is a coordinated attack by Army attack reconnaissance aircraft (manned and unmanned) against targets that are in close proximity to friendly forces. The close combat attack is not synonymous with close air support flown by joint aircraft. Terminal control from ground units or controllers is not required due to the capabilities of the aircraft and the enhanced situational understanding of the aircrew. Detailed integration with ground forces is required due to the close proximity of friendly forces. Interdiction is an action to divert, disrupt, delay, or destroy the enemy’s military surface capability before it can be used effectively against friendly forces, or to otherwise achieve objectives (JP 3-03). An interdiction is at such a distance from friendly forces that detailed integration with ground forces is not required.
3-161. Air-ground operations include the movement of maneuver forces. An air assault is the movement of friendly assault forces by rotary-wing aircraft to engage and destroy enemy forces or to seize and hold key terrain (JP 3-18). Air assaults use the firepower, mobility, protection, and total integration of aviation assets in their air and ground roles to attain the advantage of surprise. Air assaults allow friendly forces to strike over extended distances and terrain to attack the enemy when and where it is most vulnerable. By their very nature, air assaults are high-risk, high-payoff operations that are resource-intensive and require extensive planning and preparation to be successful. (Refer to FM 3-99 for additional information.)
3-162. Army air movements are operations involving the use of utility and cargo rotary-wing assets for other than air assaults (FM 3-90-2). Air movements are a viable means of transport and distribution to support maneuver and sustainment conducted to reposition units, personnel, supplies, equipment, and other critical combat elements. In addition, to airdrop and air landing, these operations include external carry by sling-load. Army rotary-wing aircraft conduct airdrop and air-landing movement as well as sling load operations. Sling operations are unique to helicopters with external cargo hooks. The utility and cargo helicopters of the combat aviation brigade supplement ground transportation to help sustain continuous operations. The aviation unit performs air movements on a direct support or general support basis with utility and cargo aircraft. The same general planning considerations that apply to air assaults apply to air movements. (Refer to FM 3-04.113 for additional information.)
3-163. The combat aviation brigade has an organic air ambulance medical company, also referred to as the medical company (air ambulance), found in the general support aviation battalion. The air ambulance medical company has a company headquarters and four forward support medical evacuation platoons or forward support medical evacuation teams. Air ambulance aircraft are equipped with medical personnel and equipment enabling the provision of en route care of patients. Air ambulance medical company assets can collocate with Army health service support organizations, the aviation task force, the supported BCT, or higher to provide air ambulance support throughout the area of operation. (Refer to ATP 4-02.3 and FM 3-04.111 for additional information.)