The longer reaction time required for surface shipping may prevent helicopters from meeting rapid deployment dates. They then ferry their aircraft using preselected routes to departure points. The departure points are operated by units that can perform depot-level maintenance. Deploying units arrive at the departure points according to the established sequence for force deployment or as otherwise directed. As the units arrive, a dedicated depot support team prepares the aircraft for deployment.
Preparation includes required aircraft maintenance and installation of ferry equipment.
Concurrently, the deployed element is integrated with its aerial support team. Then the deploying unit is prepared to depart. The deployment execution directive may dispatch predesignated ground support teams to stopover points along self-deployment flight routes. The ground support teams include personnel, equipment, and repair parts to provide limited services. To save time, units pre-position some of the required equipment and repair parts at stopover points.