Name a primary objective of air assault operations.

The primary objective of air assault operations is to insert and extract troops quickly to achieve surprise and seize terrain. This method is designed to provide rapid mobility and flexibility, which allows forces to engage the enemy in a manner that is unexpected and difficult for the enemy to counter.

Air assault operations capitalize on the advantages of air mobility, enabling forces to bypass enemy defenses and strike at critical points in a timely manner. The ability to quickly insert or extract troops from various locations is crucial for maintaining the initiative in combat, particularly when seizing key terrain or executing a maneuver that disrupts the enemy’s plan.

In contrast, while peacekeeping missions, gathering intelligence, and establishing long-term bases are important aspects of military operations, they do not encapsulate the essence and immediacy of air assault operations aimed at achieving a swift and decisive impact on the battlefield.