Air Assault is a combat insertion unit using helicopters to transport and insert soldiers into battle, provide medical evacuation, provide close air support, provide resupply operations. It is usually a company or bat-talion sized element. The term Air Assault derives from two types of operations known as Air Mobility and Vertical Envelopment. Air Mobility Operations were de-veloped by the German Army during WWII in the 1930‘s. The US Army soon adopted this method of offensive operations in 1941 using wooden gliders. The glider was assisted into the air by being towed by a larger aircraft and then released. The pilot had to navigate the large glider loaded with a team of infantry soldiers to the landing zone behind enemy lines, at night and attempt to land safely. Once the pilot landed the glider, he would join the mission as another infantry soldier with the team that he flew in. Although the gliders and techniques used were advanced for that time period they did pose some disadvantages. Once the aircraft was landed safely that team of soldiers were cut off from allied troops. Pilots had to be cross trained with infantry tactics so he could operate as both roles. The air mobility glider was abandoned after WWII after the invention of the helicopter. PREFACE 1 November 2011 1. The Sabalauski Air Assault School (TSAAS) is a FORSCOM TDA unit that trains leaders and Soldiers assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), as well as other Army units and armed services in several courses. By conducting the Air Assault and Pathfinder Courses The Sabalauski Air Assault School develops technically proficient and confident Soldiers capable of safely executing immediate and sustained air assault operations. The school also trains and qualifies military Rappel Masters, Fast Rope Masters and SPIES Masters in the application of infiltration and extraction techniques. The school provides quality basic airborne refresher and jumpmaster refresher training to airborne capable units. Finally, the school provides command and control of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Screaming Eagle Parachute Team. 2. This handbook is designed to facilitate the mission of the school, serving as a baseline of information for the Air Assault Course. It is not a substitute for applicable Army regulations, field manuals, training circulars, or technical manuals, but it is designed to complement the guidance in these publications in the area of air assault operations. The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) disclaims any responsibility for incidents occurring while applying these procedures. 3. The proponent for this handbook is the Commander of The Sabalauski Air Assault School. This 2011 update provides users with the latest doctrinal information regarding Air Assault Operations. Users of this publication are encouraged to recommend improvements or changes in writing to ACofS, G3/5/7/DPTM; ATTN: AFZB-K-GT-AA, Fort Campbell, KY 42223-5000. 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. In response, the Division continually refines its TTPs, exploiting our unique capabilities to defeat our nation’s enemies. This reference publication, The Gold Book June 2014, re-establishes the baseline for the planning and execution of Air Assault operations.