FM 3-04 Army Aviation JULY 2015 DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY This publication is available at Army Knowledge Online (https://armypubs.us.army.mil/doctrine.index.html). To receive publishing updates, please subscribe at http://www.apd.army.mil/AdminPubs/new_subscribe.asp. Field Manual Headquarters No. 3-04 Department of the Army Washington, DC, 29 July 2015 Army Aviation Contents Page PREFACE ............................................................................................................ vii INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1 ARMY AVIATION’S ROLE IN UNIFIED LAND OPERATIONS ......................... 1-1 Section I – Overview ......................................................................................... 1-1 Section II – Core Competencies of Army Aviation ........................................ 1-1 Provide Accurate and Timely Information Collection .......................................... 1-1 Provide Reaction Time and Maneuver Space .................................................... 1-2 Destroy, Defeat, Disrupt, Divert, or Delay Enemy Forces .................................. 1-3 Air Assault Ground Maneuver Forces ................................................................. 1-3 Air Movement of Personnel, Equipment, and Supplies ...................................... 1-4 Evacuate Wounded or Recover Isolated Personnel ........................................... 1-4 Enable Mission Command over Extended Ranges and Complex Terrain ......... 1-5 Section III – Army Aviation in the Operational Framework .......................... 1-5 Operations in Deep, Close, and Security areas .................................................. 1-5 Decisive, Shaping, and Sustaining Operations ................................................... 1-7 Main and Supporting Efforts ............................................................................... 1-8 Section IV – Operational Environment............................................................ 1-8 Threat .................................................................................................................. 1-9 Physical Environment........................................................................................ 1-11 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 1-18 Chapter 2 ARMY AVIATION ORGANIZATIONS AND MISSION COMMAND .................. 2-1 Section I – Overview ......................................................................................... 2-1 Section II – Aviation Brigades ......................................................................... 2-1 Combat Aviation Brigade .................................................................................... 2-1 Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade ............................................................. 2-2 Theater Aviation Brigade .................................................................................... 2-3 Section III – Enabling Aviation Groups ........................................................... 2-5 Theater Airfield Operations Group ...................................................................... 2-5 Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group ............................................ 2-6 Section IV – Aviation Battalions and Squadrons ........................................... 2-6 Attack Reconnaissance Squadron ...................................................................... 2-6 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion ....................................................................... 2-7 Assault Helicopter Battalion ................................................................................ 2-8 Distribution Restriction: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. i Contents General Support Aviation Battalion ..................................................................... 2-9 Aviation Support Battalion ................................................................................. 2-10 Security and Support Battalion ......................................................................... 2-11 Airfield Operations Battalion ............................................................................. 2-12 Theater FW Battalion ........................................................................................ 2-13 Section V – Aviation Squadron/Battalion Task Forces ............................... 2-13 Section VI – Command and Support Relationships .................................... 2-15 Command Relationships ................................................................................... 2-15 Support Relationships ....................................................................................... 2-16 Section VII – Aviation Command Posts ........................................................ 2-17 Main Command Post......................................................................................... 2-17 Tactical Command Post .................................................................................... 2-18 Section VIII – Aviation Special Staff .............................................................. 2-18 Aviation Safety Officer....................................................................................... 2-18 Standardization Officer ..................................................................................... 2-18 Aviation Mission Survivability Officer ................................................................ 2-18 Aviation Master Gunner .................................................................................... 2-19 Aviation Materiel Officer .................................................................................... 2-19 Flight Surgeon ................................................................................................... 2-19 Medical Operations Officer ............................................................................... 2-19 Section IX – Brigade Aviation Element ......................................................... 2-19 Purpose ............................................................................................................. 2-19 Organization ...................................................................................................... 2-19 Capabilities ........................................................................................................ 2-20 Section X – Aviation Liaison Teams ............................................................. 2-20 Purpose ............................................................................................................. 2-20 Capabilities ........................................................................................................ 2-20 Section XI – Airspace Considerations .......................................................... 2-21 Chapter 3 ARMY AVIATION OPERATIONS ...................................................................... 3-1 Section I – Overview ......................................................................................... 3-1 Section II – Movement to Contact ................................................................... 3-1 Section III – Attack ............................................................................................ 3-3 Attacks Against Enemy Forces in Close Friendly Contact.................................. 3-3 Attacks Against Enemy Forces Out of Friendly Contact ..................................... 3-6 Joint Air Attack Team Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures ........................... 3-10 Rotary-Wing Close Air Support Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures ............ 3-10 Unique Planning Considerations for Attacks .................................................... 3-10 Section IV – Reconnaissance ........................................................................ 3-11 Zone Reconnaissance ...................................................................................... 3-12 Area Reconnaissance ....................................................................................... 3-14 Route Reconnaissance ..................................................................................... 3-14 Reconnaissance in Force ................................................................................. 3-15 Fundamentals of Reconnaissance .................................................................... 3-16 Section V – Security........................................................................................ 3-17 Screen ............................................................................................................... 3-20 Guard ................................................................................................................ 3-22 ii FM 3-04 29 July 2015 Contents Cover ................................................................................................................. 3-22 Fundamentals of Security ................................................................................. 3-23 Section VI – Air Assault .................................................................................. 3-23 Section VII – Air Movement ............................................................................ -3 27 Internal Load Operations .................................................................................