101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Gold Book - February 2019

Book excerpt: 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Gold Book - February 2019 Air Assault Handbook. The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) has a long and rich heritage. As the world's only functional Air Assault Division, the 101st Airborne has pioneered the development of Air Assault tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs). These tactics were quantifiably demonstrated in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm and most recently during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. We are currently at war with dangerous and adaptive terrorist forces in complex environments. Simultaneously, the Division must remain poised to confront peer threats on a conventional battlefield. In response, the Division continually refines its TTPs, exploiting our unique capabilities to defeat our nation's enemies. References such as FM 3-99 Airborne and Air Assault Operations capture basic Air Assault Doctrine. These manuals' currency fluctuates in the changing environment and do not often capture the required level of detail. Therefore, the Gold Book serves to describe those TTPs unique to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). It is intended to be a "how-to" guide for those serving in the Division and those modular units who will be employed with the Division in training and combat operations. The Gold Book retains a focus on brigade and battalion air assault task forces. To address the demands of current operations, information on smaller scale air assaults and supporting operations is included. Regardless of echelon, the fundamentals of air assault planning and execution remain the same and are based on air assault doctrine. FM 3-99 Airborne and Air Assault Operations and the baseline skills taught in The Sabalauski Air Assault School. The Gold Book also addresses the role of aviation brigades and their supporting relationship to the Air Assault Task Force Commander (AATFC).Within the Screaming Eagles, familiarity and proficiency with the Gold Book standards are critical for this Division to perform air assault operations routinely both in training and combat. Regular reviews of the Gold Book ensure incorporation of wartime lessons learned and changes in Doctrine, Organization, Training, Material, Leadership & Education, Personnel, and Facilities (DOTMLPF) related to air assault operations. The Gold Book is a key tool by which the Division prepares for its next "Rendezvous with Destiny." Air Assault!