When should an alternate LZ be planned?

• A. Only after the mission has begun.
• B. After the mission is complete.
• C. During initial planning and rehearsals; assign clear relocation criteria.
• D. At the end of the rehearsal.

Answer: (C)

Having an alternate LZ planned during the initial planning and rehearsals with clear relocation criteria keeps the operation flexible and ready to adapt to changing conditions. This upfront planning ensures you’ve already identified a viable backup site, how you’ll evaluate its suitability, and how the transition from the primary to the alternate will occur without wasting time. Clear relocation criteria—such as acceptable wind and visibility, surface suitability, distance from hazards, accessibility for support personnel, and reliable communications—give the team objective, actionable thresholds to act on during a real scenario. Rehearsals help verify that the alternate is feasible, reachable, and schedulable within the mission timeline, so when conditions demand it, you can execute smoothly.

Waiting to plan the alternate after the mission has begun leaves no room to test or confirm feasibility under actual conditions, while planning only after the mission is complete or solely at the end of a rehearsal offers no practical time to respond to real-time changes.