Talk:Air assault

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Contents 1 from VfD: 2 Edit unit identification & made "Today" section 3 Britain 4 If you ain't Air Cav, you ain't shit 5 Fireforce

[edit] from VfD:

I'm no military buff, but surely this tiny squib of stuff is wrong-headed, and the real thing is covered elsewhere?? — Bill 19:59, 6 Oct 2004 (UTC)

• Keep, the article is pretty sparse, but unfortunately not covered anywhere that I see. In my research through the military terms, I saw several air assault (linking each term separately). This is a REALLY bad thing. Sigh. Another entry on my to-do list. -Vina 21:49, 6 Oct 2004 (UTC)
• Keep, but expand enough for a worthwhile stub. Impi 21:55, 6 Oct 2004 (UTC)
• Keep. Current contents are minimal but technically correct (per the US usage of the term - I believe the UK uses the term to describe a different operation). I will also add it to my to-do list. Rossami 22:02, 6 Oct 2004 (UTC)
• Keep. Important concept, organizes unit design. --Improv 22:29, 6 Oct 2004 (UTC)
• Delete and merge into airborne forces. Air assault simply describes a function of the airborne. TDC 02:57, Oct 7, 2004 (UTC)
  • I'm sorry, but I have to dispute the recommendation to merge. In the US forces, at least, Airborne specifically refers to parachute-deployable troops. Air assault troops are not necessarily so deployable. Rossami
• Keep. Important classification of Airborne. Training and mission is distinct from the others. SWAdair | Talk 04:07, 7 Oct 2004 (UTC)
• Keep. Mark Richards 17:23, 11 Oct 2004 (UTC)

end moved discussion

I recommend merging the content of this article with Air cavalry, because both deal with helicopter-assisted assaults, but Air Cavalry is more detailed and references historical battles where helicopters played a key role. Discuss. 128.100.109.2 18:19, 14 November 2005 (UTC)

Air Cavalry is only used as an expression by US forces. Air assault is the term used by most other military forces in the world. Air assault troops are light infantry ground troops taken into and out of battle by helicopter. Cavalry refers to Armoured, Tank, units, previously Horse Born troops, and Airborne relates solely to troops dropped into battle by parachute (NB: I serve in an air assault infantry regiment). 86.2.136.146 22:39, 2 January 2006 (UTC)

From my own esperience in the development period from 1967 through 1993, I can say that two things are important to this disscussion. First of all, the concept of "Air Assault" is NOT the same as "Air Cavalry", nor is it close to the original "Airmobile" concept. The Vietnam-era 1st Cavalry Division was a unique unit that has absolutely no currency today. Today's 1st Cavalry Division is NOT "Airmobile", but is "Air Assault", and the key to that is the fact that 1st Cav has "Air Cavalry", "Air Assault", and "Armored Cavalry" units in its TO&E.

Today, "Air Cavalry" refers to units that are equipped with AH-1 Series or AH-64 Series Gunships, and they perform what is essentially an "Aerial Artillery" role, providing Air Support to ground troops. This is a copy of the Marine Corps Air Support concept, and the role of the 9th Air Force in Europe during World War II. In essence, the Air Force has been relieved of this responsibility, and the Army provides its own Air Support.

"Air Assault" today is closest to the original "Airmobile" concept, since here is where you find the units where the troops are transported by helicopter almost exclusively to and from the battlefield. I say "almost exclusively" because they do use other means to travel.

The other part of the 1st Cavalry is all "Armored Cavalry", and they specialize in using the M-3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle, the M-1 Series Tank, and other Armored vehicles.

Actually, there are no "Straight Leg" Infantry Divisons in the Army or the Marine Corps today. They all are at least mechanized, which makes the separate use of that term unnecessary. Yes, they fight dismounted, but they ride to and from the battle.

SSG Cornelius Seon (Retired) 00:29, 8 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Edit unit identification & made "Today" section

I saw a mistake in that Lt Col. Hal Moore commanded the 7th Cavalry regiment. It was 1st Battalion/7th Cavalry Regiment. Have edited it. Today the unit is known as 1st Squadron/7th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

Added some useful info at the "Today" section.

I do recommend that this article shoud be merged into the Airborne Forces or Airborne Warfare article.

Tomcat200 31 May 2006

[edit] Britain

What about the British 16th air assault brigade?—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 86.2.176.26 (talk • contribs) 00:44, 23 July 2006.

[edit] If you ain't Air Cav, you ain't shit

Shouldn't there be at least one mention of the air cav's most famous motto? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.106.206.249 (talk) 05:01, 27 February 2007 (UTC).

[edit] Fireforce

Maybe this article could do with a further mention of the Fireforce tactics used in the Rhodesian Bush war rather than under the R.L.I topic?

Fireforce is a very good example of vertical envelopment and were remarkable in their effective use of very limited resources and their tailoring to the african counter-insurgency environment. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 155.232.128.10 (talk) 15:48, 1 March 2007 (UTC).