DarkDot (ops)

LZ / PZ

Landing Zone / Pickup Zone

A designated surface area used for the landing (LZ) or pickup (PZ) of rotary-wing aircraft during air assault, CASEVAC, resupply, or infiltration/exfiltration operations.

The distinction between an LZ and a PZ is directional: troops land on an LZ; they are extracted from a PZ. In practice, the same terrain feature may serve as both across successive phases of an operation.

LZ Selection Criteria (SLLLS)

The standard mnemonic for LZ selection:

LetterFactorConsiderations
SSizeSufficient for the number of aircraft with required spacing (typically 100m between ships in trail)
LLocationWithin aircraft range, masked from direct fire, accessible from the objective
LLaydownSlope ≤ 7° for safe landing; obstacles (trees, wires, walls) below rotor clearance
LLanding directionInto the wind, avoiding rising terrain in the approach corridor
SSecurityDefensible perimeter, cleared fields of fire, no known enemy

LZ Marking Methods

The marking method depends on threat level and available assets:

  • VS-17 Panel — highly visible, day use, usable in smoke obscured environments
  • IR Strobe / IR Chemlight — night use with NVG-equipped crews, low observable
  • Smoke grenade — wind direction indicator; crew identifies color (avoid announcing color over unsecure nets)
  • Laser designator (SOFLAM/PEQ) — precision marking for aviation with FLIR, invisible to unaided eye
  • PACE marking plan — Primary / Alternate / Contingency / Emergency marking for each LZ

LZ Control

A Ground Force Commander (GFC) and an Air Mission Commander (AMC) share responsibility for LZ operations. For large air assaults, a Landing Zone Control Officer (LZCO) coordinates:

  1. Aircraft sequence and spacing on final approach
  2. Hazard reporting (personnel, vehicles, blown debris)
  3. Battle handoff between chalk commanders
  4. Emergency abort signals

Hot vs. Cold LZ

  • Cold LZ — no enemy fire received; normal approach profile
  • Hot LZ — enemy fire received or expected; aircraft use evasive approach corridors, reduced exposure time, reduced hover time, suppressive fires integrated
  • Compromised LZ — enemy presence confirmed; strike aircraft/attack helicopters must suppress before assault aircraft approach

9-Line LZ Brief

Helicopter crews require a standardized LZ brief before insertion:

  1. Frequency and callsign
  2. RP (Release Point) or checkpoint
  3. Heading from RP to LZ
  4. Distance from RP to LZ
  5. LZ description (terrain, obstacles, type of surface)
  6. Friendlies' location relative to LZ
  7. Enemy/hazard situation
  8. Marking method
  9. Friendlies' panel color

LZ in Dark Dot

LZs and PZs are placed as markers on Terrain Plans with associated markers denoting approach corridors and control points. The marker's linked CQB plan can represent a building adjacent to the LZ for integrated planning.

Air Operationsaviationair-assaultinsertionextractionmedevac
RELATED TERMS
CASEVACOPORDAO