The U.S. Army's integration of aircraft into its organic structure represents a fundamental shift comparable to the transition from horse-drawn cavalry to mechanized transport. This study traces the evolution of airmobility within the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1971, highlighting the confluence of technology, tactics, and imagination that drove this radical change. It identifies key individuals and decisions made a decade prior to the Vietnam War, which were crucial for the development of air assault operations. The book aims to document the most significant milestones leading to the formation of airmobile divisions.

This historical study, originally published in 1973 and reissued in 2011, offers a detailed account of a significant transformation within the U.S. Army. The preface indicates a focus on tracing the development of airmobility, emphasizing its revolutionary nature and the collaborative effort behind it. The book's scope covers a critical decade leading up to and including the initial combat applications of airmobile concepts. It is presented as a foundational text for understanding the strategic and technological shifts that redefined Army aviation.