b. The battalion headquarters provides command and control for the battalion.
The commander is a lieutenant colonel, which also serves as the division air defense
officer and a member of the division commander's special staff. In this role, he advises
the division commander and his staff on all matters pertaining to air defense artillery.
c. The Vulcan weapons system, a 20-mm, multibarrel, automatic cannon,
provides the commander with both an air defense and ground support capability. In its
air defense role, the battery is normally employed to protect vital areas (point target
protection) against low-flying hostile aircraft. The weapons system can be employed
from hasty or prepared positions or may be employed on the move.
d. The Chaparral weapons system is essentially the Navy Side-winder IC missile
modified for use from a self-propelled launcher for surface-to-air defense of forward
combat elements, areas, or installations against low altitude hostile aircraft. This
system has no surface-to-surface application.
2-15. (COMBAT) AVIATION BATTALION (GROUP)
a. Aviation support for the division is provided by an aviation battalion (infantry
and airborne divisions), a combat aviation battalion, (armored and mechanized
divisions), or an aviation group (air assault division). The mission of the battalion/group
is to provide aviation support for the headquarters, support command, and other units of
the division without organic aircraft. In addition to this mission, the battalion/group also
provides GS and reinforcement to units possessing organic aircraft and an aviation
special staff section for the division headquarters. The subordinate units of the AASLT
division aviation group have missions and capabilities similar to those of the aviation
battalion, but greatly expanded.
b. The aviation battalion/group commander is also the division aviation officer.
As commander, he is responsible for the combat effectiveness of his unit; as a special
staff officer, he is the principal advisor to the division commander and his staff on Army
aviation matters. He has command only over his own unit; however, he exercises staff
and technical supervision over the administration, training, safety, and operations of
Army aviation within the division.
c. The capabilities of the aviation battalion/group augmentation of
aeromedical evacuation and emergency movement of supplies, when requested
authority.
d. The organization of the aviation battalion/group is shown in Figure 2-9.
(1) The headquarters and headquarters company provides command and
control of the battalion/group renders administrative support, and performs the normal
communication responsibilities such as installing, operating, and maintaining the
battalion/group radio sets and providing wire communication to subordinate units within
by medical the battalion/group.
MD0002
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