This article is about a military term. For alternate meanings see airhead (disambiguation). An airhead may refer to: airhead a military term for the endpoint of an airborne assault. ...

An airhead is a designated area in a hostile or threatened territory which, when seized and held, allows the air landing of further troops and materiel, and provides the maneuver and preparation space necessary for projected operations. Normally it is the area seized in the assault phase of an airborne operation. It may also be used as a staging or refuleing point for less permanent operations. U.S. paratroopers jump into Australia on a military training exercise. ...

Typically, an airhead is established by helicopter-landed or paratrooper forces, and often will take place at an airport (to allow conventional transport to land later on) or at a helicopter or glider-accessible area. The Bell 206 of Canadian Helicopters Robinson Helicopter Company (USA) R44, a four seat development of the R22 A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors (propellers). ... An American Paratrooper using a T-10C series parachute Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and formed into an airborne force. ... Gliders are heavier-than-air aircraft primarily intended for un-powered flight. ...

The largest airhead in history was established in 1991 by the United States Army during the 80-hour land component of the Persian Gulf War. Other notable airhead operations include Operation Market Garden during World War II, and Operation Just Cause in 1989. 1991 (MCMXCI) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... US Army Seal HHC, US Army Distinctive Unit Insignia The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces that has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... See also: 2003 invasion of Iraq and Gulf War (disambiguation) C Company, 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment, 1st UK Armoured Division The Persian Gulf War was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 34 nations led by the United States. ... Waves of paratroops land in Holland during Operation Market Garden in September 1944. ... Combatants Allied Powers Axis Powers Commanders {{{commander1}}} {{{commander2}}} Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties 17 million military deaths 7 million military deaths World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a mid-20th century conflict that engulfed much of the globe and is accepted as the largest and deadliest... Operation Just Cause was the U.S. military invasion of Panama that deposed Manuel Noriega in December 1989, during the administration of U.S. President George H. W. Bush. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Beachhead
• Bridgehead

A beachhead is a military term used to describe the line created when a unit (by sea) reaches a beach, and begins to defend that area of beach, while other reinforcements (hopefully) help out, until a unit large enough to begin advancing has arrived. ... A bridgehead is literally a military fortification that protects the end of a bridge that is closest to the enemy. ...

References

1. DOD. DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. United States of America: US Department of Defense. June 5, 2003.